Sir Syed Ahmad Khan: A social reformer and a man of reason

The year marks the bicentennial anniversary of the founder of Aligarh Muslim University, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. Two university dons, Mohammad Asim Siddique of the department of English and Rahat Abrar, director of Urdu Academy, have come out with Jahan-e-Syed, a slim coffee table book that chalks the trajectory of Sir Syed’s long and arduous quest for the educational development of the economically and intellectually poor community.

The collection evokes sepia-tinted memories of the younger days of the Aligarh Muslim University. The only aim of Syed, as reflected in the book through the photographs, was to extricate the Muslims from the poverty of education and the prevalent unsettling situations. But he also attempted to remove the rift of hatred between Hindus and Muslims. One of the chief aim of Syed’s Scientific Society, established in Ghazipur, was to bring Hindus and Muslim together in a platform “to discuss important common issues”.

The suggestive title of the book, Jahan-e-Syed, an Urdu portmanteau denoting to the World of Syed, signifies the deep-rooted relation of the university with the Urdu language. But it may be a riddle for non-Urdu speakers and the book could have done with a sub-title in English. The cover page with an image of Sir Syed along with photo of the Victoria Gate of Aligarh Muslim University, rightly lets the reader know that it is about the relationship of this grand building with the white-bearded man.

Siddiqui, in the introduction, writes, “it is more than a coffee table book in that it responds both to the mimetic and contemplative aspects of the photographs”. Indeed, the book gives an insider account of Sir Syed’s struggle-filled life and the revealing photographs vouch for it.

The rare photographs themselves tell the tale of how Sir Syed dedicated every moment of his life for the educational advancement of the community. And it is likely to inform any new reader about his sacrifices. A compelling example of it is a photograph of a painting Sir Syed sent to Nawab Mukhtarul Mulk Syed Turab Ali Khan of Hyderabad. In the painting, the boats of the Muslims are sinking into the water and an angel appears saying that Nawab can be the savior for the sinking Muslims. Sir Syed gave this idea to the painter to portray it. On seeing the painting, the Nawab, quite moved, granted a monthly allowance for Sir Syed’s MAO College (Mohammedan Anglo- Oriental College, which later became the Aligarh Muslim University). It is the testimony of his longings to erect the widely known institution which later was turned into Aligarh Muslim University. Several such compelling instances dispersed over the book may smolder the flames of visceral love in reader’s heart for this great man.

This hardbound tome also offers a candid account of Syed’s personal and professional choices. Syed was not just a social reformer as he is famously recognised, he had also been a prolific writer producing monumental books covering a wide gamut of topics including history and Islamic theology. Few of his books get a passing mention in Jahan-e-Syed. His foray into journalism brought him great success, and he ushered in the idea of bilingual and purposive journalism in India.

Sir Syed’s thoughts are interspersed on the pages unveiling his self-reflective personality and his idealistic disposition. The brief excerpts from his archives and the informative text portrays different aspects of Syed’s life. It is an information-rich book providing us with the fleeing glints of few lesser known facts of Indian history and his life as well. It can be read in a single go with no jerks of unintelligible language.

(The writer is a research scholar at the Aligarh Muslim University)