Question

How did Mr. Beck shape the outlook of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan towards communalism?

Answer 1

Instructions:
Explain the following points:

• Syed Ahmad Khan was a supporter of Hindu-Muslim unity initially.
• Mr. Theodore Beck influenced and manipulated the outlook of Syed Ahmad Khan towards INC and national movement.

Solution:

• Sir Syed Ahmad Khan founded the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh that helped in spreading the western education among Muslims.
• He was a supporter of Hindu-Muslim unity until his interaction with Mr. Beck, who was the principal of MAO College.
• Beck advised Muslims to stay away from Hindus, INC, and the National Movement. Eventually, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan followed his ideas and started advocating the same.
• He soon declared that the political interests of the Hindus and Muslims were different. He opined that after Independence there was a huge possibility of Hindus dominating Muslims. Thus the Muslims were discouraged to join Indian National Congress and were asked to be loyal to the British.
• In the coming years, he started the Aligarh Movement with the theme of ‘loyalty, approval, and support of the Government’.