The Aligarh Movement and the Making of the Indian Muslim Mind 1857-2002 : Tariq Hasan
Book: The Aligarh Movement and the Making of the Indian Muslim Mind 1857-2002
Author: Tariq Hasan
Publisher: Rupa & Co, 7/16, Ansari Road, Dariyaganj, New Delhi
Price: Rs 500
Pages: 292
ISBN: 81-291-0847-X
Contents:
Preface.
Introduction: the genesis 1800-1857.
1. Sayyid Ahmad Khan -- The Early Years.
2. The debacle of 1857: quest for a Muslim identity.
3. The Aligarh movement and the birth of the M.A.O. College 1864-1875.
4. The religious views of Sayyid Ahmad Khan.
5. Aligarh, the British Raj and the Forces of Separatism 1877-1887.
6. The parting of ways 1887-1898.
7. The last days of Sir Sayyid and the aftermath 1898-1907.
8. The demand for a Muslim University.
9. Aligarh and Jamia - the Golden Years 1920-1937.
10. The rise of the Muslim league: Sir Ziauddin and his role at the A.M.U.
11. Aligarh and the road to freedom, and partition of the country 1937-1947.
12. Aligarh after independence.
13. Crisis at the campus 1955-2002.
Index.
THIS IS a long-awaited book on one of the most enigmatic personalities who helped to shape the idea of India. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the founder of the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College now known as the Aligarh Muslim University, was what one may call a complete individual � educationist, philanthropist, administrator, leader, and most importantly a self-made man who was, even by today's standards, staunchly secular. It is perhaps ironical that the challenges Sir Syed faced in his lifetime were also in subsequent years, and indeed to this day, faced by the institution he founded.
The university has gone through several twists and turns. There were events that threatened its very existence, sometimes for the lack of funds and at other times because there were people who wanted to see the venerable institution go. Sir Sayyid too faced several challenges. He had to take several tough decisions in life. Some were personal, like his decision to leave his mother behind when he was evacuating the family during the mutiny. At other times, he was simultaneously fighting the British and opponents to his cause. If there was one part of his personality that Sir Sayyid passed on to AMU it was his resilience. The university might have over the years become the happy hunting ground for politicians and vested interests, but it survives and holds its own despite the odds.
The book provides a historically relevant perspective to the story of Sir Sayyid and the AMU, and brings it up to date. The author uses rare archival matter, and but for this book, those documents would have been lost forever. The author's insights into the life and times of Sir Sayyid are perhaps helped by the fact that he is a descendant of Maulvi Samiullah Khan, one of the co-founders of the institution. This is, in every sense, a frank, lucid book about a genius.
Tariq Hasan, is an Aligarh based journalist. He joined the Aligarh Muslim University in 1965. After a brief stint in industry, he entered the field of journalism in 1975. He has worked with The Pioneer (Lucknow), The Patriot (New Delhi), The Times of India (New Delhi) and the Press Trust of India (PT1).
His main sphere of interest lies in Muslim affairs and environment and wildlife issues. He has covered the affairs of AMU for more than two decades. He was president of India's nominee at the AMU court for three years. His family was closely associated with the establishment of the Aligarh Muslim University and the freedom movement. The late Maulvi Samiullah Khan, a co-founder of the AMU and the founder of the Muslim Boarding House of the Allahabad University was the author's mother's great grandfather.
Abdul Majeed Khwaja, the author's grandfather was among the founding fathers of the Jamia Millia Islamia.
Professor David Lelyveld, author of Aligarh’s first generation writes “Mr. Tariq Hasan is an experienced journalist, who writes well and thoughtfully on matters of urgent importance. His book offers an insider’s perspective on how Indian Muslim responded to the pressure of colonialism, nationalism and modernity. I think this book will be an important contribution to enhancing understanding in the general indian community, and beyond, of the debates that have centered around Aligarh and the Aligarh movement, and how Muslims have come to terms with colonialism, nationalism and modernity.
Noted Political scientist Professor Shan Muhammad, former chairman, department of political science, Aligarh Muslim University noted that Mr. Tariq Hasan’s analytical work on the Aligarh Movement has, to a large extent, revealed the trend of Muslim political mind from 19th century to the present time. His research has unearthed some unusual material. He has been quite objective in dealing with some of the most crucial and controversial periods of India’s political history. Such studies will assist the Indian nation to shun narrow doubts about a movement which has contributed equally to the freedom movement of the country.