"Lives of great men all remind us, we can make our lives sublime, and departing leave behind us footprints on the sands of time - footprints that perhaps another, a forlorn and shipwrecked brother, seeing, shall take heart again."
We have gone through various great people who never died. From Socrates to Karl Marx, from Mahatma Gandhi to Abraham Lincoln. Those who live always reside in our hearts and memories. But some people, even after life, nestle in our memories and never die. Such people continue to guide and impact thousands of lives in the world of superstition and ignorance. Those who wanted to upgrade a nation by focusing on backward communities. From social reformers, great visionaries, statesmen, and philosophers of modern and ancient India was Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, born on 17th of October, 1817 in Delhi. Sir Syed was highly regarded by the Mughal dynasty. His interest in educational, progressive development, and intellectual belief modernized the education of Muslims throughout the world. Some people didn't think the way Sir Syed did. They started questioning the reform Sir Syed wanted to develop to make the Muslim community educated. The fact is that he was able to prevail and take things forward on modern lines. He did his best in achieving it and making Muslims able to live in this world with dignity and education, which he termed as "Talim". His words, "ye jo talim ka idara hum kholne ja rahe hain, Inshallah, ek din Ali Shahan University banega." His words speak louder than actions.
For more Article Click on this lineSir Syed Ahmed Khan, the founder and philosopher of educated Muslims, was born on 17th October 1817 in Delhi. His mother, Azizun Nisa Begum, was a strict, strong-willed woman who followed clearly defined Islamic principles. She was the lady who raised the legend we call a social reformer. She contributed significantly to the character building and upbringing of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. His father, Mir Muttaqi, was also connected to the Mughal dynasty but rejected materialistic benefits. His maternal grandfather was Wazir in Akbar Shah II's court, and his paternal grandfather was Mansabdar in the court of Alamgir II.
For more Article Click on this lineHis vision for the empowerment of Muslims was enhanced by his own education. He pursued Islamic scientific education and famously said, "A true Muslim is the one who must have the Holy Quran in one hand and science in the other." He studied under Maulvi Hamiduddin and mastered Persian, Arabic, medicine, mathematics, literature, and culture. At the age of 21, he lost his father and faced financial difficulties, starting work as a clerk in the East India Company in 1838.
For more Article Click on this lineSir Syed Ahmed Khan's early literature includes Jila ul-Qulub bi zikril-mehboob, Taufa i Hassan, and Tashil fijur i saqil. During the 1857 Revolt, he wrote Asar-us-Sandeed and Asbaab-e-Baghawate Hind, reflecting the atrocities committed by the British and their impact on Muslims. His writings continued with political and educational significance, including Musalman-o-ki-Kismat-ka-Faisla.
For more Article Click on this lineIn 1864, Sir Syed founded the Scientific Society to encourage Muslims toward a brighter future by translating western works into Persian and promoting modern education. This society was later moved to Aligarh and became the Scientific Society of Aligarh.
For more Article Click on this lineThe Scientific Society was the cornerstone of the Aligarh Movement. In 1866, the Aligarh Institution Gazette was introduced to spread modern scientific knowledge and Islamic studies in Urdu and English. The magazine Tehzeeb-ul-Akhlaq was published in 1871 and merged with the Gazette in 1881. In 1875, Sir Syed founded the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College in Aligarh, which later became Aligarh Muslim University. His goal was the upliftment of the Muslim community.
For more Article Click on this line"I have lost my hair, my eyesight, but not my vision. My vision never dimmed. My determination never failed. I built this institution for you, and I am sure you will carry the light of this institution far and wide, till darkness disappears from all around."
He emphasized restoring a golden age for Muslims, holding the Quran in one hand and science in the other. Despite controversies, his vision never died.
Sir Syed criticized attempts to replace Urdu with Hindi and stressed communal harmony. He foresaw challenges for Muslims and promoted education as a solution. He is often seen as a precursor to the two-nation theory due to his analysis of Hindu-Muslim unity.
Sir Syed faced opposition and humiliation while raising funds for education. Despite challenges, he remained committed to creating educated Muslims, sometimes even sacrificing personal comfort and belongings for this vision.
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan’s life was a declaration that progress is non-negotiable. He created Aligarh Muslim University as a bridge between tradition and modernity, empowering countless lives. His efforts in education, women's rights, and social reform make him a visionary whose legacy continues to inspire. Truly, he is "the sun who never set."
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