Sayyid Ahmad Khan's Muslim revival : an examination of his religious and social reforms
Date
1999
Authors
Maclure, Grant Edward
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Abstract
After the Revolt of 1857, Sayyid Ahmad Khan emerged as the first Indian Muslim to react against India's changing cultural and political traditions. He did so by enacting a social reform program which aimed to revitalize the Muslim community through the practice and reflection of faith, using Islam as a touchstone for development, and a commitment to modern education. This thesis will examine the development of Sayyid Ahmad Khan as a theological and social reformer who emphasized education, not separation, as a means to a better India. It examines Sayyid Ahmad Khan's development as a thinker following the events of 1857, and considers the facets or details of his program thereafter. This thesis finds that the nature of his program, and the personal beliefs of its author, preclude the assertion that the Sayyid acted only in the interest of his own religious community.