Sir Syed Ahmed Khan

 Sir Syed Ahmed Khan

Reasons why did Sir Syed start educational movement? 

Answer: Sir Syed Started educational movement because he was extremely unhappy About the position of Muslims of subcontinent. He disliked the idea that Muslims were held responsible for the war of independence 1857 to clarify the positions of Muslims, he wrote a pamphlet “cause Indian revolt” he tried to convince he tried to convince the British that it was not the war fought by Muslims only but there were other countries also who were responsible for the war. He also wanted to show to the British that their own wrong policies caused the war e.g. cow and pig fat cartridges etc.

Secondly sir syed knew that Muslims were mostly uneducated they were not learning English which was creating a communication gap between Muslims and British. Muslims had a subject to discrimination at the hands of British who started learning English quickly and receiving education in new English medium schools, colleges and universities. In this manner the confidence of Hindus, were increasing while Muslims were facing lack of respect. Sir Syed started this movement to bring Muslims to bring conscience in Muslims to learn English language and to acquire British education. It was the only way which could provide higher level jobs to Muslims, Muslims could communicate better with British and their social status could be improved. Thirdly Sir Syed started this movement due to Urdu, Hindi controversy. Hindus wanted Hindi to be the official language while Urdu was removed from this status. In result many Muslims had to loose their jobs as they did not know either Hindi or English script. Sir Syed believed that if Muslims were enough educated they could get better jobs. He gave his two nation theory when he observed that Urdu was totally removed while English and Hindi remained as national language. Sir Syed believed that congress was for Hind interest only. He stopped attending congress meetings and developed united patriotic alliance which became Mohammadin defense alliance in 1893. Rivalry between Hindus and Muslims communities were increasing, cause Hindus were showing disrespect and extremism against Muslims. Hindus used to lay loud music outside the mosque and it became extremely difficult for Muslims to survive in co-existing areas. Two nations theory of Sir Syed became popular in such conditions that is why Syed started his movement of educational political awareness of Muslims.