History & Civics
Answer
His views regarding Hindu-Muslim unity were as follows:
- He regarded Hindus and Muslims to be one Quam (nation).
- He founded the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh which had both Hindu and Muslim patrons.
- However, under the influence of the British Principal of Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College, in the 1880s, he gave up his earlier views and declared that the political interests of Hindus and Muslims were different.
- When the Indian National Congress was founded, Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan opposed it.
- He founded the United Indian Patriotic Association in 1888 mainly with a view to oppose the Congress.
- In this effort, he was supported by Mr. Beck, the British Principal of Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental (MAO) College (Aligarh). Beck's idea was that Anglo-Muslim unity was possible, but Hindu-Muslim unity was impossible.
- It was said that Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan believed that since the Hindus formed the majority of the Indian population, they would dominate the Muslims in case of a withdrawal of the British rule.
- He felt that the continuance of British rule was a "guarantee for the welfare and progress of the community."
- Therefore, he declared that if the educated Muslims support the British, the latter would reward them with government jobs and other special favours.
Related Questions
Several factors led to the foundation of the Muslim League in 1906. In this context, describe :
(a) The partition of Bengal.
(b) The role of the British Government.
Who took the lead in the establishment of the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental Defence Association?
- Sir Syed Ahmad Khan
- Liaqat Khan
- M.A. Jinnah
- Agha Khan
How did the Hindi-Urdu controversy become one of the factors in the formation of the Muslim League?
Read the two statements given below regarding the aims of the Muslim League. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between (A) and (B).
(A) Promotion of the feelings of loyalty to the British Government.
(B) Prevention of rise of hostility towards other communities.
- (B) contradicts (A)
- (B) is the reason for (A)
- (A) is true but (B) is false
- (A) and (B) are independent of each other