2 nation Theory + others Sir syed Ahmed [14] Flashcards
Who was Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, and why is he considered a great reformer?
- Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was a prominent Muslim reformer in 19th-century India who worked to uplift Muslims politically, socially, and educationally.
- He is best known for advocating the Two Nation Theory, promoting modern education among Muslims, and improving Muslim-British relations.
What event in 1867 led Sir Syed Ahmed Khan to develop his Two Nation Theory?
- In 1867, Sir Syed was shocked by the Hindu demand to make Hindi the official language of India.
He saw this as an attempt to undermine Urdu, which was written in Persian/Arabic script and reflected the past Muslim rule in India.
- This realization led him to believe that Hindus and Muslims were two distinct nations with different political and cultural identities.
How did Sir Syed Ahmed Khan oppose the Indian National Congress in the 1880s?
- Sir Syed opposed two major demands of the Indian National Congress in the 1880s: competitive examinations for the civil services and joint electorates for legislative councils.
- He believed that Muslims, being less educated and politically weak, would be at a disadvantage in both examinations and elections.
- To safeguard Muslim rights, he advocated for separate electorates and a fixed Muslim quota in civil service exams.
Why did Sir Syed Ahmed Khan establish the United Patriotic Alliance in 1883?
- Sir Syed founded the United Patriotic Alliance in 1883 to protect Muslim political rights, realizing that the Indian National Congress mainly worked for Hindu interests despite claiming to represent all Indian communities.
- The organization was later renamed the Muhammadan Defence Alliance in 1893.
How did Sir Syed Ahmed Khan encourage Muslims to accept British rule?
- Sir Syed convinced Muslims to accept the British as the new rulers of India and advocated for friendly relations with them.
- In his book “Taba’yeen-al-Kalam,” he highlighted similarities between Islam and Christianity to reduce mistrust.
- He also wrote another book proving that dining with Christians was not un-Islamic, promoting social harmony between Muslims and the British.
How did Sir Syed respond to Sir William Muir’s book “Life of Muhammad”?
- Sir Syed wrote a book in response to Sir William Muir’s “Life of Muhammad,” which contained objectionable remarks about the Holy Prophet.
- His response aimed to correct misconceptions and defend the Prophet’s character with historical evidence.
What two pamphlets did Sir Syed write after the War of Independence in 1857?
Sir Syed wrote “Essays on the Causes of Indian Revolt,” in which he argued that both Indians and the British were responsible for the rebellion, as the British had failed to understand the Indian mindset.
- He also wrote “Loyal Muhammadans of India,” where he defended Muslims, proving they were as loyal to the British as any other Indian community.
How did Sir Syed clarify the meaning of the word “Nadarath” to the British?
Sir Syed explained that “Nadarath” was an Anglicized form of the Arabic word “Nasara” (Christians), which is derived from “Nasr” (Help).
- By doing so, he proved that Muslims did not use the word in a rude way, easing tensions between Muslims and the British.
Why did Sir Syed emphasize modern education for Muslims?
- Sir Syed believed that Muslims needed modern British education to improve their social conditions and political awareness.
- He promoted scientific and Western education to help Muslims regain their lost status in society.
What educational institutions did Sir Syed establish before founding MAO College?
- In 1859, Sir Syed opened a school in Muradabad, followed by another school in Ghazipore in 1864.
- He also founded the Ghazipore Scientific Society in 1863 to translate Western scientific writings into Persian and Urdu.
- In 1866, he launched the Aligarh Institute Gazette to encourage Muslims to acquire modern education.
How did Sir Syed’s visit to England in 1869 influence his educational reforms?
- During his visit to England in 1869, Sir Syed observed the educational systems of Cambridge and Oxford Universities.
- Inspired by their structure, he decided to establish a similar institution for Muslims in India, leading to the foundation of MAO College in 1875.
What was the significance of the Muhammadan Educational Conference, founded in 1886?
- The Muhammadan Educational Conference was established in 1886 to raise the educational standards of Muslims.
- It held regular meetings in different cities, published articles in “Tahzeeb-ul-Akhlaq,” and played a crucial role in promoting modern education among Muslims
How did MAO College contribute to the Muslim political movement in India?
- MAO College, Aligarh, became a center for Muslim intellectual and political awakening.
- It produced many prominent leaders, including Liaquat Ali Khan, and played a key role in shaping the Pakistan Movement.
Why is the Two Nation Theory considered Sir Syed’s most important contribution?
- The Two Nation Theory is regarded as Sir Syed’s most important contribution because it laid the foundation for Muslim nationalism in India.
- His belief in the distinct political and cultural identities of Hindus and Muslims later influenced the Pakistan Movement in the 1940s, leading to the creation of Pakistan.
