IAFS th Century India: Debating Muslim Education
Outline 1857 Uprising Indian Muslim debates re. education –Aligarh –Deoband
Muslim Debates over Education two schools: Aligarh and Deoband significance: diversity of Indian Muslims
1857 “Mutiny”/War of Independence/Uprising Significance: Br distrust of Muslims Landlords, peasants, disinherited princes Threat to Indian Army 1858: British Crown takeover
Aligarh: Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College (est 1875) Founded by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan Modeled on British schools Both Muslim and Hindu students Training for Muslim leaders Combined Islamic and Western education
Syed Ahmed Khan Islam need not be hostile to Christianity Hindus and Muslims not inherently incompatible: “India is like a bride which has got two beautiful and lustrous eyes—Hindus and Mussalmans” Harmony depended on British rule: “for the peace of India... the English Government should remain for many years—in fact for ever!”
Deoband (est. 1867) Purifying Islam Traditional Muslim education (based in Wahhabi traditions) Middle- and lower-class Muslims No British support Largely apolitical Seen as a guardian of Islam
Themes 1857 uprising led to British distrust of Muslims Indian Muslims never a monolithic group (e.g. Aligarh vs. Deoband)