Sir Syed, Aligarh Muslim University And National Politics

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Aljaz Ahmad was born on 16 August, 1969, at Motipur village in Sant Kabir Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh. He studied in Khair Inter College, Basti, AMU Aligarh and Jamia Millia Islamia and completed B.A. (Hons.), M.A., M. Phil. and Ph.D. in History. He also qualified NET and JRF test conducted by UGC from the AMU. In 1994, he was appointed as a lecturer in History in YMD College, Nuh in Mewat District of Haryana. Now, he is promoted as Associate Professor in History at the same college. During his service career in the YMD College, Nuh, he got published nine research papers in national and international journals and proceedings of the Indian. History Congress. In the same period, he also got published six books: 1. Aligarh Muslim University: An Educational and Political History, 1920-47, Ghaziabad, 2005. 2. Mewat: A Retrospective, Ghaziabad, 2013. 3. Indian Muslims Against British Rule, New Delhi, 2014. 4. Uprising of 1857: Some Facts about Failure of Indian War of Independence, New Delhi, 2014. 5. Heritage of Mewat, Nuh, 2015. 6. Mewati Rebellion of 1857, New Delhi, 2016.

In this book 'Sir Syed, Aligarh Muslim University and National Politics" it has been attempted to write a descriptive, analytical and critical account of the educational and political history of the Aligarh Muslim University. While touching the life sketch of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, it has been very widely discussed that the followers of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan were actively engaged in boosting the AMU, ameliorating the position of the Muslims and equally devoted their energy in the various national programmes of the freedom movement. The democratic, independent and healthy atmosphere of AMU always encouraged its people to work for the society as well as for the nation. They were, accordingly, divided into two schools of thought-nationalists and the loyalists. The loyalists were highly devoted to the cause of Muslims' welfare while the nationalists restlessly engaged in the freedom struggle. The reputed national leaders were also invited in AMU to mobilize and encourage the students for freedom struggle. They extended their cooperation to the political parties like, Indian National Congress, Muslims League, Khilafat Party, Swaraj Party, Communist Party, etc. By the Pakistan resolution of the Muslim League, its leaders tried to motivate the AMU students and received a positive response. In the last, Muslim League was succeeded in keeping its hold in the AMU. The Congress Party also tried to bring the AMU students in their favour. After the Independence, the AMU and Alumni expressed their full faith in the Indian Government.

The present book titled, "Sir Syed, Aligarh Muslim University and National Politics" is intended for the general reader to explain the historical facts about Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Aligarh and Aligarh Muslim University, and their role in the freedom movement of India. In this preface, I have given a detailed introduction of all the topics included in this book and also explained the aim, purpose and need of writing this book. While briefly describing the role of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and Aligarh Movement, this work deals with a very crucial phase of the Indian Freedom Movement until the Independence of India.

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan played the most important role to save the innocents during the rebellion of 1857. As he was in the service of the British Government, he tried his level best to solve the issues between the rebellious leaders and the British. In this process of mediation, he met a heavy loss by losing many of his relatives and even his mother. After the suppression of the rebellion, he tried to save the Muslim masses which were being massacred by the British on the charge of the revolt. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan followed the loyalist policy to save the Muslim masses from the heavy hand of the British. He became successful in persuading the British Government that the people of India, including all caste and creed, revolted due to the unfavourable policies of the Government.

After Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, his true followers also adopted the loyalist policy towards the British Government. These Aligarh loyalists devoted all their time and energy to ameliorate the position of the Muslim community with the help and cooperation of the British Government. They tried to get the charter of Aligarh Muslim University, to get government grants, to open different departments of study in the AMU and also provide government jobs to their students. However, there was another section of AMU, which advocated national and political ideas along with the Indian National Congress and Muslim League. They devoted their full energy and strength in the Indian National Movement. They invited the reputed National leaders in AMU and mobilised and encouraged the students for freedom struggle. Most of the old boys and staff members of old MAO College and AMU also contributed to the national movement.

Although, a lot of work has been done on Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, but as far as political and educational history of AMU and its role in the national movement, no more work is noticed until now. It is this gap, which I have intended to fill-up by writing this book. The sources on the subject are wide spread, which have facilitated to complete this book. Among them the contemporary sources, the life sketch of the prominent personalities, related to this topic, needs to be reviewed here shortly.

**Contents and Sample Pages**