1. Background of the Aligarh Movement
- After the British took control of India, they saw Muslims as their enemies.
- Following the War of Independence (1857), Muslims faced severe oppression.
- The British denied Muslims their religious, political, economic, social, and educational rights.
- Hindus, however, cooperated with the British and progressed in all fields.
- Seeing the miserable condition of Muslims, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan (1817-1898) started the Aligarh Movement to awaken and uplift them.
2. Objectives of the Aligarh Movement
i) General Awareness
- Sir Syed told Muslims that their golden era was over and they were now under British rule.
- Instead of living in the past, they should accept reality and focus on progress.
ii) Establishing Goodwill with the British
- Sir Syed advised Muslims to build friendly relations with the British.
- He clarified that Muslims were not solely responsible for the 1857 war—Hindus and others also participated.
- He wrote a pamphlet, “The Causes of the Indian Revolt”, explaining the real reasons for the war:
- The British government failed to meet people’s expectations.
- There was no communication between rulers and the public.
- The government had no welfare programs, making people (especially Muslims) poorer.
- British laws went against Indian traditions.
- Corrupt officials created unrest to benefit themselves.
iii) Motivation for Modern Education
- Sir Syed believed Muslims could only progress with modern education and science.
- He encouraged learning English to access scientific knowledge.
- He established:
- Scientific Society (1862) – Translated Western books into Urdu.
- Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College (MAO College, Aligarh) – Modeled after Cambridge University.
iv) Non-Confrontational Politics
- Sir Syed advised Muslims to stay away from politics until they were strong.
- He wanted them to focus on education instead of political conflicts.
3. Features of the Aligarh Movement
i) Educational Services
- Sir Syed believed modern education was key to Muslim progress.
- Established:
- Scientific Society (1862) – Translated Western knowledge into Urdu.
- MAO College (Aligarh) – Provided English and modern education.
- Encouraged Muslims to learn English for better opportunities.
ii) Social Services
- After 1857, Muslims were economically ruined and humiliated.
- Sir Syed took steps to improve their condition:
- Wrote “Loyal Muhammadans of India” to improve Muslim-British relations.
- Convinced the British to remove the ban on Muslim jobs.
- Got confiscated Muslim properties returned.
- Ensured Muslims were included in development programs.
4. Impact of the Aligarh Movement
- Awakened Muslims and revived their confidence.
- Prominent leaders like Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk, Maulana Shibli Naumani, and Hali supported it.
- Laid the foundation for the Two-Nation Theory (later leading to Pakistan).
- Made Muslims realize the importance of education and unity.
Conclusion
The Aligarh Movement was a turning point for Muslims in India. It helped them recover from British oppression, gain modern education, and prepare for future political struggles. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s efforts saved Muslim identity in the subcontinent.