Home Journal List Journal of the Research Society of Pakistan Volume 55 Article Details

Sayyid Ahmad Khan and Hindu-Muslim Question in India

Abstract

Sayyid Ahmad Khan is normally credited as the first Muslim leader of the nineteenth century to identify that Hindus and Muslims of India, in spite of living together for centuries, were still two different entities. Many even consider him to be the founder of two nation theory in the modern times. This article, however, is an attempt to challenge this assumption on the basis of historical facts. Sayyid’s initial stance about the Hindu-Muslim harmony, his reaction to the Urdu-Hindi controversy and opinion about the creation of Indian National Congress are discussed in details. However, the author has tried to bring forward the other side of the story as well according to which though Sayyid opposed any development or proposal which went against the interests of the Indian Muslims, yet he never developed hatred against the Hindu community living in India. Sayyid wanted to secure the political, social and economic interests of the Indian Muslims when he turned against Indian National Congress but at the same time he encouraged Hindus to join hands with him in the establishment of United Indian Patriotic Association.

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