SIR SYED AHMED KHAN AND CULTURAL PLURALISM
Narjis Zehra
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was a revolutionary legend of India who took gigantic step of transformation in the 19th century. An outstanding personality, his work in the education forte is the most prominent evidence of how great of a person he was.
He had his impression imprinted on the society and made an evolution on thoughts process of the Muslim community. He was a firm believer of holding onto the ideas of rationalism and ethics on one side while He keeping intact while vision of cultural pluralism in Islam which is to say that there should be unity of humanity.
Convinced of his stand Sir Syed believed in Hindu-Muslim harmony, he bridged the gap between Hindus and Muslims in a lot of ways. He stands out to be the most prominent theorist and crusader promoting modern scientific education. He wanted progressivism among the society especially Muslims and having said that, he has had a great impact on the society and was clearly able to achieve it. His vision and work proved to be one of the most prominent factors in bringing the change and restructuring the destiny of India especially for the Muslim community.
Sir Syed had cherished goals to uplift the Indians especially Muslims. He could not have seen Muslims lagging behind. In order to fulfil his admired goal of uplifting the Muslims he had adopted the policy of reconciliation. At first he strived to reconcile the Muslims to the British rule. He had accepted and was convinced that Muslims were left with no option but to align with the British rule if they wish to stay in the government services and professions.
The lives and properties of the Muslims stayed safe under the British rule, there were no restrictions on the religious freedom but it was obligatory for them to stay loyal to the British rule. In addition to that, with the ultimate reprisals that followed, there was no other way to recover except by cooperating with the British. Secondलय , Sir Syed Ahmed Khan wanted Muslims to get the modern scientific education. Hindu community had already taken advantages of the new system of education and he did not want the Muslims to lag behind. For obvious reasons, he could not ignore the British if he wanted modern education for the community.
In emphasizing the need for modern education, he was by no means proposing the Muslims to pass over their traditional areas of interest. Sir Syed wanted the Muslims to realize that they had their own special interests that must be acquired through their own efforts. He wanted the community to realize the importance of growing in the community in order to survive and give the best of themselves.
The most considerable contribution he had made was to work out on understanding between the Islam and the western science. He took up the task of bringing together the intellectualism of the west and traditionalism of the east. His work had ultimately brought harmony among everyone. He was a rationalist, moralist and above all an altruistic. He was a leader of enlightenment and progress, a man with high spirits and moral courage. His movement lay the foundations for innovation and modernization.
Sir Syed proved to be a bridge between all segments and strata of peoples in India