Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
Question bank
Q.1.Why did Sir Syed Ahmed Khan accused as pro-British?
> saved lives of many women and children during war of independence,,,,,, unpopular amongst
Indians…. saving enemy…. so thought of him as Pro British
> believed that armed uprising against British is useless…... British far too powerful…… Indians
thought that he was trying to establish British rule in India …. called him pro-British
> believed that Indians should take advantage of British presence in India to become
economically, socially and politically strong…… Indians saw them as foreign invaders…...
Labelled him pro-British.
Q.2.Why did Sir Syed Ahmed Khan try to improve British Muslim relations?
Ans. The British considered Muslim responsible for the war of independence therefore they
started a policy of repression against them. As Sir Syed wanted to end this tyranny therefore he
tried to improve British Muslim relations.
Indians considered British as foreign Invaders and were reluctant to acquire Western education
which was important for the Muslims to get jobs in government sector because English was the
official language so that they could have prosperous life. Thus Sir Syed tried to bridge the gap
between the two communities so that Muslims could accept British ideas.
Sir Syed feared that Hindus would dominate Muslims due to their cooperative attitude towards
the rulers. They were developing economic, socially and politically therefore Sir Syed tried to
improve British Muslim relationship so that they should come at par with the Hindus
Q.3.Why did Sir Syed Ahmed Khan insist upon gaining question education?
a. To get better jobs in the government so that they could prosper economically.
b. To compete with Hindus in every sector of life.
c. Quran stresses upon knowledge and exploring the universe…. Quran ask Muslims to acquire
education to understand full Majesty of God
D. He started this movement to make the image of the Muslims better in front of the British who
considered Muslims as the main cause of war of independence.
Efforts to improve British Muslim relations
Identification Brief description analysis
Sir Syed wrote loyal In this pamphlet he Thus he not only defended the
Muhammadans of India gave a detailed muslims from the British
account of the loyal accusations that they were disloyal
services which but also called on them to end their
muslims had given hostility towards the muslim
and named various community
muslims who had
shown particular
loyalty to the British
Sir Syed wrote a pamphlet called In this pamphlet he His pamphlet helped to convince
Essay on the causes of Indian pointed out the main the british that they were wrong to
Revolt reasons of the WOI put the full blame of uprising on
e.g poor management Muslims. Therefore some british
of indian army, the read it with sympathy and
forcible conversions decreased their hostility towards
of muslims to them
christianity
Sir Syed Ahmed tried to remove The british thought Thus the term was reflection of the
misunderstandings amongst this was an insult but positive image Muslims had of the
british who resented beings sir syed pointed out british and not an insult.
called Nadarath by the muslims that the word
Nadarath means
helpers
Sir Syed wrote rebuttal of an He corrected the Thus he tried to convince the
English book on the life of the errors concerning the british that their knowledge about
Holy Prophet (PBUH) life of the Holy Islam was limited and so they need
Prophet (PBUH) and to improve it to remove
about Islam misconception (religious services
of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan)
Sir Syed wrote a pamphlet called In this he pointed out Although this work remained
tabyan ul Kalam (commentary the similarities incomplete, yet it shows his
on bible) between islam and commitment in improving muslim-
Christianity british relationship.
Sir syed established British It was a platform This helped to improve the level of
Indian association where members of understanding and cooperation
both the communities between the two people /groups /
could interact with communities.
each other and could
discuss various issues
Sir Syed wrote another pamphlet In this he told the Thus he urged upon the Muslims of
titled Food laws of people of the Muslims that they India that they were closer to the
book . were allowed by their British than the Hindus who were
religion to dine with reluctant to eat with Muslims
Christians .
Educational services
Identification Description Analysis
Sir Syed started a journal This journal included Although some ulemas attacked this
Tahzib ul Akhlaq articles from influential view yet this journal played a major
Muslims who agreed with part in bringing about an intellectual
Sir Syed that there was a revolution amongst the Muslim
need for a new approach thinkers .
regarding education
He founded a scientific It translated scientific Thus Muslims knowledge of science
Society at Ghazipur in writings from English was improved .
1863 Persian or Arabic into This also helped to reduce Muslim
Urdu , the main language hatred towards British as by reading
of Muslims about their scientific works ,
Muslims realized that they were not
just invadors but had done a lot for
humanity through their scientific
inventions .
He founded schools in - These efforts of sir Syed show
Ghazipur and Muradabad his commitment towards
expanding educational
opportunities for Muslims
He set up MAO school It provided western This institution proved
in 1875 which was and Islamic education beneficial for muslims in many
upgraded to a college on the pattern of ways.
in 1877 English public school Firstly , it provided quality
system education to the muslims of
india and after graduation from
this institute they could get
better jobs in government
department.
Secondly, it became a symbol
of unity for muslims in the
absence of muslim league
Thirdly many future leaders of
Pakistan such as Liaqat Ali
Khan and Ayub Khan were
educated there and many of the
historians believe that this
institution contributed the most
for the formation of Pakistan.
Fourthly, it also helped to
relationship , as not only many
British were teaching in this
institute which created respect
in the hearts of muslims for the
British but also after receiving
English education muslims
were in a better position to
communicate with the british
in their language and remove
misconceptions between the
two groups
Sir syed set up Its aim was to Thus this helped to improve
Muhammadan publicize the new educational standards of
educational conference educational methods muslims.
which were to be used This conference also played a
at M.A.O major role in establishing a
muslim political platform in
the days before the
establishment of muslim
league. It attracted famous
orators and writers who
dicussed the political problems
about the muslims of india.
It was after the 20th session of
the same organization in
December 1906 at Dhaka that
its major leaders gathered to
form muslim league which was
the founder party of Pakistan
Political Services
Identification Description Analysis
Congress was Although it claimed to Sir syed adviced the indian
established in 1885 be a party of all Indians muslims not to join congress
but it was protecting and therefore tried to save
hindu interest only them from hindu exploitation
Congress demanded This sounded fair but Thus sir syed opposed this and
political system in since there were four suggested that muslims should
india based on times as many hindus as be given separate electorates
british lines muslims , they would in the council so that they
win every election could have enough political
representation
Congress demanded Since muslims were not Thus SSAK opposed this idea
open competitive receiving the similar and insisted upon the british to
examinations for status in education to give separate seats in the
government jobs that given to hindus , government jobs to muslims
this would greatly so that they should not br
disadvantage them politically and economically
handicapped.
SSAK showed In 1867 Hindus Since Urdu was very impotant
concern on Hindi demanded hindi to be for muslim culture so SSAK
Urdu controversy. the official language realized that Hindus wanted to
instead of Urdu dominate muslims hence
opposed it. This forced him to
develop two nation theory i.e.,
hindus and muslims can`t live
together peacefully which
later became the base for
Pakistan Movement.
SSAK established This was established to This helped in providing a
Mohammadan counter congress platform for political
Defence Association propaganda against discussions and protected
Muslims muslim interests in the
absence of Muslim League.
