Cultural Security of Indian Muslims: Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and His Legacy

In the middle of Nineteenth century, the Indian Muslims confronted with the crucial problems of the devastation of the long 800 years of Mughal Dynasty/ Muslim’s rule and concomitant colonial expansion of the British in India. The failure of the Revolt of 1857/ Mutiny/ First War of Independence exacerbated plight of the Indian Muslims. In post-1857 India, several forces- both external as well as internal - were working against the Muslims in India. The Britishers’ retaliatory havoc in post-1857, colonial domination in the transformed historical situation and the darkness of ignorance engulfed the Indian Muslims. The condition of Muslims was deplorable as they were most backward in education and economically shattered and politically defeated by the East India Company. The entire community was distressed and helpless, and their culture, identity and existence were at stake in Hindustan. At that critical juncture, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (1817-1898), confronting the situation and negotiating with colonial modernity, came forward with western modern science and English education in one hand and the light of the Quran on the other hand to offer a solution to the Muslim community from this decadence. Syed Ahmed was a distinguished scholar, philosopher, historian, Islamic reformer, educationist, political ideologue, archaeologist, lawyer and a humanist who transformed socio-political, cultural situation of Muslims in post- 1857 India. He was primarily concerned about the socio-cultural issues and modern education of the Indian Muslims. With a view to modernizing and uplifting the socio-cultural and economic status of the Muslims, he laid the foundation of Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College (1975), which was later transformed into Aligarh Muslim University (1920). Aligarh Muslim University has been serving as a socio-cultural Movement for protecting and preserving the cultural heritage and religious identity of the Indian Muslims.