Question

With reference to Nationalism and the birth of the Indian National Congress, explain each of the following:

Role of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in the formation of the Muslim League.

Answer 1

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was a loyal supporter of the British Empire and asked the Muslims to keep away from the Indian National Congress. He regarded the Congress as an unnecessary organisation and considered it harmful for the interests of the Muslims. He thought that the Congress was dominated by the Hindus, and Muslims had no place in it. He felt that the Muslims can protect their economic and political interests through exposure to western education and English language. In fact all the influential Government posts and business opportunities were linked with western education. Therefore he asked the Muslims to show loyalty to the British who would take care of Muslim interests. He founded Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College in Aligarh to popularize scientific and western learning among the Muslims. This college became the nucleus of a movement popularly known as the Aligarh Movement. Thus Sir Syed Ahmed played a key role in the formation of Muslim League to nurture the political, social, economic and other interests of the Muslims.