2020-10-17 Sat

“The first requisite for the progress of a nation is the brotherhood and unity amongst sections of the society.” Syed Ahmed Khan

Indian Muslim pragmatist, Islamic reformist, and philosopher of the nineteenth century, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was born on October 17, 1817, in Delhi. A distinguished scholar and a progressive thinker, he left an indelible mark on India. In 1888 he was made a Knight Commander of the Star of India.

His family has strong ties with the Mughal court, Syed studied the Quran and Sciences within the court. He was awarded honorary LLD from the University of Edinburgh. His contribution to the building of modern India was remarkable in many respects. By 1838, he joined East India Company and became a Small Causes Court Judge in 1867 retiring in 1876.

Khan laid the foundation of modern scientific education in undivided India. Later on, he established Mohammed Anglo-Oriental College in Aligarh in 1875, which became Aligarh Muslim University in 1920. He was also a journalist who used his pen for social reform. ‘Tahzebul Akhlaq’, a magazine founded by him, tried to awaken people’s consciousness on social and religious issues.

In memory of Syed Ahmed Khan, India Postal Department has issued a commemorative postage stamp of value 20 Paise in 1973. It depicts his portrait in the foreground and an image of Aligarh Muslim University in the background.

Image Source: Wikipedia.org