Who was Sir Syed Ahmad Khan? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Indian Celebrities Born In October

Also Known As: Sir Syed Ahmed Taqvi bin Syed Muhammad Muttaqi

Died At Age: 80

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Parsa Begum

father: Mir Muttaqi

mother: Azis-un-Nisa

children: Amina, Syed Hamid, Syed Mahmood

Born Country: India

Philosophers Indian Men

Died on: March 27, 1898

place of death: Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India

Cause of Death: Illness

Founder/Co-Founder: Aligarh Muslim University

More Facts

education: University Of Edinburgh

awards: Order of the Star of India (1869)

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1

What were the contributions of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan to the field of education?

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was a prominent educationist who established the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College in Aligarh in 1875, which later evolved into the Aligarh Muslim University. He emphasized the importance of modern education and promoted scientific knowledge among the Muslim community in India.
2

How did Sir Syed Ahmad Khan advocate for social reforms in Indian society?

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was a pioneer in advocating for social reforms in Indian society, particularly among the Muslim community. He promoted the idea of social upliftment through education, modernization, and rational thinking. He also worked towards bridging the gap between the British and Indian cultures.
3

What was the significance of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's Aligarh Movement?

The Aligarh Movement led by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan aimed to promote modern education, scientific thinking, and social reforms among the Muslim community in India. It played a crucial role in empowering Muslims through education and creating a sense of unity and identity among them.
4

How did Sir Syed Ahmad Khan promote communal harmony in India?

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan believed in fostering harmonious relations between different religious communities in India. He emphasized the importance of mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation among Hindus and Muslims. His efforts helped in promoting unity and peace in a diverse society.
5

What was the impact of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's work on the Muslim Renaissance in India?

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's efforts in the fields of education, social reform, and communal harmony played a pivotal role in the Muslim Renaissance in India. His progressive ideas and initiatives inspired a generation of Muslims to pursue modern education, embrace scientific knowledge, and work towards the betterment of society.

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Childhood & Early Life

He was born as Syed Ahmad Taqvi on 17 October 1817 in Delhi. His father, Mir Muttaqi was highly regarded by the Mughal dynasty, and many members of his family had held positions in the Mughal court.

He was raised in a large house in a wealthy area, in accordance with Mughal traditions. His mother Azis-un-Nisa was a strong-willed religious woman who ensured that Syed and his brother received a disciplined upbringing.

He was trained in Persian, Arabic, Urdu and orthodox religious subjects, and was also taught mathematics and astronomy. He was an active boy and participated in a number of sports like swimming and wrestling.

He began his study of medicine but did not complete the course. His father died when Syed was still young and thus he had to abandon his formal education due to financial difficulties.

He was offered positions in the Mughal court which he declined and entered the English civil service. Later on he attended the East India Company College from where he graduated with a degree in law and judicial services.

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Career

He was appointed as a clerk at the courts of law in Agra in 1838, and promoted to the title of ‘Munshi’ in 1840. His position in the judicial department gave him ample time to devote to his other interests, which included writing.

He began his literary career by writing religious tracts. His book ‘Āthār aṣṣanādīd’ (“Monuments of the Great”), on the antiquities of Delhi was published in 1847.

When the Indian Mutiny of 1857 broke out, he remained loyal to the British and even saved the lives of several Europeans. He was serving as the chief assessment officer at the court in Bijnor at the time when the rebellion broke out and was personally affected by its aftermath.

He published the booklet ‘Asbab-e-Baghawat-e-Hind’ (The Causes of the Indian Revolt) in 1859 in which he fearlessly outlined what he believed to be the causes of this revolt. He rejected the common belief that the conspiracy was planned by Muslims and blamed the British East India Company’s thoughtless actions for the revolution.

Religion was one of his great interests, and he had great respects for all religions, not just Islam. He started a work on a commentary on the Bible in which he stated that Islam and Christianity both share a common lineage from Abrahamic religions.

During the 1850s he developed a strong passion for education and realized the advantages of Western-style education. He believed that scientific education was the need of the hour and set about establishing modern schools for the children, at Muradabad (1858) and Ghazipur (1863).

He was transferred to Aligarh in 1864 where he founded the Scientific Society of Aligarh which was the first scientific association of its kind in India. The Society held conferences, disbursed funds for educational causes, and published scientific journals in English and Urdu.

He published many writings promoting liberal and rational interpretations of Islamic scriptures as he felt that orthodoxy was threatening the development of the Muslims. However, his liberal views were met with criticism by the Muslim clergy and thus Sir Syed decided to stop discussing religion and focused on promoting education.

After having established schools for children, he founded the Muhammadan Anglo Oriental College in 1875, seeking to promote social, scientific, and economic development of Indian Muslims. Today, the institution is known as the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and ranks among the top universities in India.

Awards & Achievements

He was awarded the Order of the Star of India from the British government on 6 August 1869.

Personal Life & Legacy

He married Parsa Begum in 1836, and the couple went on to have three children: Syed Hamid, Syed Mahmood and Amina.

He was a tireless worker who devoted his entire life to the promotion of education for the masses. A highly knowledgeable man and a prolific writer, he wrote on a number of subjects including history, politics, archaeology, journalism, literature, religion and science.

He lived the last two decades of his life in Aligarh and died on 27 March 1898, at the age of 80. His funeral was attended by thousands of people, including British officials, Muslim leaders, and his students.

Facts About Sir Syed Ahmad Khan

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was a versatile individual who not only excelled in the field of education and social reform but also had a keen interest in poetry and literature.

He was a strong advocate for the promotion of Urdu language and literature, contributing significantly to its development and recognition as a major language in South Asia.

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was known for his progressive views on women's education and empowerment, advocating for the education of girls and women during a time when it was not widely accepted.

He had a deep commitment to promoting communal harmony and understanding between different religious communities, working towards fostering a sense of unity and tolerance among people of diverse backgrounds.

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan Biography

You wanted to know

What were the contributions of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan to the field of education?

How did Sir Syed Ahmad Khan advocate for social reforms in Indian society?

What was the significance of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's Aligarh Movement?

How did Sir Syed Ahmad Khan promote communal harmony in India?

What was the impact of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's work on the Muslim Renaissance in India?