Education

Shibli College

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Shibli National Post Graduate College, Azamgarh

The aftermath of the first war of independence in 1857 was a comprehensive, devastating and massive cycle of retribution from the British against Indians in general and Muslims in particular.  The indiscriminate retribution left a trial of destruction everywhere. Sir Syed was shaken to the core. However, unlike ordinary individuals who were left wondering what has struck them, Sir Syed decided to do something for the Muslims to help them come out of their ignorance, penury and loss of power. He started a series of activities from establishing Scientific Society to School at Ghazipur. However, the culmination of efforts was the establishment of Madrasatul Ulum at Aligarh in 1875. It immediately drew a legion of resistance from various quarters. However, at the same time Sir Syed was able to collect a group of distinguished individuals around him at Aligarh. Soon the college along with Tahzibul Akhlaq made people think about their course of action. Slowly but surely it started making a positive influence on the Muslim mindset regarding English education.

One of the earliest manifestation of this was the establishment of an English medium school at Azamgarh. The school was started by Allama Shibli Nomani. Shibli joined Aligarh in February 1883 and just after four months of service at Aligarh he laid the foundation of National School at Azamgarh City on 26 June 1883. Shibli became the secretary of School and arranged land from his family for the same. The school became middle school in 1887 and High School in 1895 (Nadvi, S.S., 1943, pp. 133-134). It became Inter College in 1940 and first degree college of the district in 1946 (Al Azmi, M.I., 2019). Post Graduate classes started in 1970 in various science and arts disciplines. In the beginning the College was affiliated to the Agra University. Later it was affiliated to Gorakhpur University. Since 1988, it is affiliated to Vir Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Jaunpur. The College also study centre for many courses in distant mode for various Educational Institutions of National repute. It offers various courses of Maulana Azad Foundation (New Delhi) and Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University (Prayagraj). It is also a study centre for several professional and technical courses of Jamia Millia Islamia (New Delhi)

At present the College is a Muslim Minority College with five faculties and 24 departments offering a range of courses at Graduate and Post Graduate level. The College also offers Ph.D. facility in various disciplines. The college has following Faculties and Departments (http://shiblicollege.ac.in/About.aspx):

Faculty of Science – It comprises of Department of Botany, Department of Chemistry, Department of Mathematics, Department of Physics, Department of Zoology, Department of Computer Science

Faculty of Arts – It comprises of Department of English, Department of Geography, Department of Hindi, Department of Philosophy, Department of Sociology, Department of Urdu, Department of Arabic, Department of Persian, Department of Defense and Strategic Studies, Department of Sanskrit, Department of Economics, Department of History, Department of Political Science, Department of Education.

Faculty of Commerce comprising of Department of Commerce

Faculty of Law comprising of Department of Law

Faculty of Education comprising of Department of Teacher Education offering B.Ed.

At present Shibli National Post Graduate College is one of the biggest Muslim Minority Post Graduate College in India contributing to the progress and prosperity of the community and Nation and carrying forward the mission of Aligarh Movement.

Notes:

Founder: Allama Shibli Nomani

Place: Azamgarh City, Uttar Pradesh, India

Minority Status: Muslim Minority

Website: http://www.shiblicollege.ac.in

References:

Al Azmi, Mohammad Ilyas (2019) Shibli National School Azamgarh ki tareekh ka ek warq. Tahzibul Akhlaq, September, Vol. 38, No. 9, pp. 42-45.

Nadvi, Syed Sulaiman (1943) Hayat e Shibli. Darul Musanneffin Shibli Academy, Azamgarh.

Syed Fazlul Hassan Maulana Hasrat Mohani

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Mohsin Aziz

(Residential halls of Aligarh Muslim University: Person behind the name series/ blog 7)

Chupke chupke Raat din ansoon bahana Yaad hai

Humko abtak ashiqui Ka wo zamana Yaad hai

(Maulana Hasrat Mohani)

Hasrat Mohani Hostel

Hasrat Mohani hostel is one of the hostels in Sir Shah Sulaiman Hall. It is a boys hostel.

Birth and Early Life

Syed Fazlul Hassan popularly known as Maulana Hasrat Mohani was born in town Mohan of district Unnao, Uttar Pradesh in 1875. It was the year when Sir Syed was laying the foundation of Madrastul Uloom at Aligarh which later developed into Mohammadan Anglo Oriental College in 1877 and later into Aligarh Muslim University in 1920.

He passed middle school in 1894 from Mohan Middle School and got government scholarship based on his extraordinary performance in the whole district. In September 1894 he was admitted to government high school in Fatehpur in class 2. Within three months on 1st December 1894 he was promoted to class 4th based on his performance. When in May 1895 exams were held he topped the exams and by July 1895 he was again promoted, this time to class 6th. In class 6th the teachers were so impressed that within one month i.e. on 15 August 1895 he was again promoted to class 7th. He again scored highest marks in class 7th. By 1899 Hasrat passed the exam of inter, again securing highest marks in his class (Khalique Anjum, 1994)

At Aligarh

After passing Inter in1899 Hasrat decided to go to Aligarh for higher studies. At that time Sir Dr. Ziauddin Ahmad was professor of Mathematics at Mohammadan Anglo Oriental College. When Sir Ziauddin saw Hasrat’s name in official Gazette as a topper he immediately invited Hasrat to come to Aligarh for higher education (Majrooh Gorakhpuri, 1951).

Hasrat reached college on ekka. He was wearing loose pyjama, old shoes and was carrying his pandaan in one hand. Immediately someone called him khala Jaan. Hasrat had truly arrived at Aligarh in style. But soon he became favourite of students at the college and students gave him title of Maulana which became part of his name till death.

While at college his name was thrice written in discipline book. It became a reason for not allowing Hasrat to stay in College premises. When Hasrat came to Aligarh he was a brilliant student. However Hasrat got himself involved in so many cultural activities at Aligarh that he managed only second division in Graduation.

Urdu e Mualla

After graduation in 1903, Hasrat started a magazine by the name of Urdu e Mualla from Aligarh. Urdu e Mualla published articles against the imperialists. Hasrat had to pay heavy price for this. When in 1908, Hasrat criticized British police action in Egypt in Urdu e Mualla. He was imprisoned for his writings.

When Urdu e Mualla was closed, Hasrat opened Swadeshi Store at rasalganj area of Aligarh. It was called Mohani Swadeshi Store. On his indomitable spirit Allama Shibli said in amazement ‘tum aadmi ho ya Jin? Pehley shayar they phir sayasatdaan baney, ab baniye baney huye ho’. Similarly in his inimitable style Akbar Allahabadi quipped

Bhai Sahab ab tum Rakh do apna qalam

Hath main lo ab tejarat Ka alam

It is generally believed that Swadeshi movement was Started by Congress but the fact is that it was Hasrat who was the first person to not only give the but actually walk the talk by opening the Swadeshi store where only different Indian products were sold.

Politics

In 1904 he joned Congress and in 1905 he joined swadeshi tehreek run by Bal Gangadhar Tilak. In 1921 he coined the slogan Inquilab Zindabad which was later popularized by Bhagat Sigh. In fact the slogan became the most popular slogan of the freedom movement and still remains one.

Hasrat was involved in the communist movement in India from the very beginning. He was one of the founders of communist party of India (CPI). CPI’s first office was innaugrated in 1925 in Cawnpur (Kanpur). It was innaugrated by Hasrat Mohani by waving red flag. He was the president of the reception committee of All India Conference of Communists held in Kanpur on December 25-26, 1925 (Raza Naeem, 2018). In his own words he was a Muslim Communist:

Darweshi-o-inqilab maslak hai mera

Sufi momin hoon, Ishteraqi Muslim

He joined Muslim League as well for sometime. He parted ways with Jinnah as Hasrat did not want India to be partitioned. He was also an important member of Progressive Writers Association. He wore many hats at the same time.

Inquilab Zindabad

Hasrat Mohani was the first to propose to propose the concept of complete Independence or purna swaraj in 1921. However, Gandhi accepted the idea only 10 years later as Gandhi thought in 1921 that its time has still not come (Telangana Today, 2022)

Jail

In 1908 Hasrat was jailed for his political thoughts. At that time he was member of Congress. He was given imprisonment for two years and a fine of 500 rupees. To recover the fine police auctioned his personal library which contained some rare handwritten manuscripts. According to Hasrat many of those had no second copy. In Hasrat’s words the valuable books were put in a gunny bag like wood or sawdust and auctioned at a very low price.

After his release from prison he was again politically active. On 10th April 1916 Hasrat attended Aligarh Muslim University committee session at Lucknow. Still it was a college and the committee was holding sessions to press the demand for university status to the college. After attending the event Hasrat reached Aligarh and was arrested on 13th April 1916 from his home in Aligarh. This was his second arrest and imprisonment. He was imprisoned for being invited to be part of the Provisional Government of India-in-exile which was formed in Kabul by some prominent freedom fighters. It was composed of Raja Mahendra Pratap as President, Maulana Barkatullah as Prime Minister, Maulvi Ubaidullah Sindhi as home minister, Maulvi Bashir as war minister and Champakraman Pillai as foreign affairs minister. Before invitation could reach Hasrat, the British government got wind of it and arrested him. However he was allowed home cooked food and visits by family members.

His third arrest was in 1922 from Kanpur. A year earlier in Ahmedabad session of Congress in 1921 he presented the concept of complete Independence. The speech which he delivered in the session was considered revolt by the Raj and he was again imprisoned for two years. He was arrested from Kanpur and brought to Ahmedabad and put in baramati jail. This time sentence was rigorous imprisonment. He has himself described it in the following couplet:

Hai mashqey sukhan jaari, chakki ki mushaqqat bhi

Hai ek turfa tamasha Hasrat ki tabiyat bhi

His imprisonment could not deter him or break his spirits. In his own words:

Rooh azaad hai khayaal azaad

Jism e hasrat ki qaid hai bekar (Dewaney Hasrat Mohani, 1914)

When during his rigorous imprisonment ramzaan came Hasrat did not miss his fast. In his own words:

Kat Gaya qaed main mahey ramzaan bhi Hasrat


Garchey samaan sehar Ka tha na iftari Ka

Krishna loving Maulana

Hasrat never hid his love for Krishna. In fact he went to Mathura to play Holi. In his words

Mathura keh hai Nagar ashiqui Ka

Dam bharti hai aarzoo usi Ka


Har zarrah sarzameen e Gokul

Dara hai Jamal e dilbari Ka

Visit to Europe

In April 1939 Hasrat visited England by ship from Karachi. From Karachi he went to Basra. From Basra he went to Baghdad. From Baghdad he went to Beirut. From Beirut his ship went to Marseilles and onward to London. In London he met many people including Mr. MC Donald and Colonel Muir and discussed various political issues. Hasrat stayed in London for two months. According to Hasrat he travelled third class and spent 16 pounds sterling for his journey by ship. His discussions in London focussed on five topics: Indian federation, Government of Nizam Hyderabad, Albania, Palestine and Hijaz railway (Hasrat Mohani, 1939).

After Independence

Hasrat was among the lucky freedom fighters who saw India’s freedom in their lifetime. After Independence Hasrat became both member of parliament as well as member of Constituent Assembly. Both the memberships allowed him liberal allowances but Hasrat never took allowances. He did not even avail the facility of free housing for which he was entitled. Whenever he attended session of the parliament or Constituent Assembly he would stay in a mosque near parliament or stayed in Dar ul Amaan in Ballimaraan.

Poet

Hasrat was poet par excellence. He knew the art of writing ghazal in very simple language which could be understood by everybody. He considered Mir Taqi Mir as master poet.

Sher merey bhi Hain purdard wa lekin

Meer Ka Sheva e guftaar kahaan se laun

At the same time Hasrat was very proud of his poetry as well and expressed it several times in his poetry.

Hasrat teri is pukhta kalami ki hai kya baat

paya hai kisi aur sukhanwar ne hai kab rang

Hasrat teri shagufta kalami pe aafreen

Yaad a gain naseem ki rangeen bayaniyaan

(Dewaney Hasrat Mohani, 1914)

Wife

Hasrat got married to Nishat un Nisa in 1901. She was daughter of Syed Shabib Hassan Mohani who was lawyer in Hyderabad High Court. She was educated in Urdu, Arabic and Persian languages. She was a huge support to Hasrat. When Hasrat went to jail she wrote “Tolerate the trouble you have faced with like a man. Don’t worry about me or house at all. Beware you should not feel any type of weakness“. She even came to the court and fought the case of Hasrat with bravery.

Death

On 13 May 1951 Maulana Hasrat Mohani breathed his last in Lucknow after prolonged illness. His death was widely covered in national newspapers and journals. Many poets wrote on his death. Asar Rampuri said:

Kaamlaney Adab o Sher pe Aya hai wo Saal


Jis main aksar ne piya sagharey sahbai e ajal

(Asar Rampuri)

Thus ended the life of a freedom fighter who did not give an inch to the Britishers and valiantly fought his entire life for the freedom of India. His frequent visits to the jail could not deter him. He died on his own terms true to what he wrote in one of his jail terms,

Dushman ke mitaaney se na Mita hoon Na mitonga

Aur Yun to main faani hoon, fana meray liye.

References:

Khalique Anjum (1994) Hasrat Mohani. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India: New Delhi.

Hasrat Mohani (1914) Intekhab Deewaney Hasrat Mohani, Matba Faizey Aam, Aligarh.

Telangana Today (2022) Hasrat Mohani: The poet who first called for complete independence, coined ‘Inquilab Zindabad’. 14 August.

Saleem, Anika & Bayat, Ali (2022) Hasrat Mohani’s letter writing from British prison. Zaban o Adab. Vol. 15. No. 1.

Majnoon Gorakhpuri (1951) Hasrat Number, Urdu Adab, p. 81.

Hasrat Mohani (1939). Hasrat Mohani Ka Safar e Europe. Mustaqil (January -August), Kanpur, Pp. 1-4.

Raza Naeem (2018) Protecting the memory of Maulana Hasrat Mohani, Muslim and Communist. The Wire. Available at: https://thewire.in/history/maulana-hasrat-mohani-muslim-communist. Accessed on 25 January 2024.

Professor Jadav Chandra Chakravarty

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(Residential halls of Aligarh Muslim University: Person behind the name series/ blog 6)

Mohsin Aziz

Chakarvarty Hostel is one of the residential hostels of Mohammad Habib Hall. It is named after Jadav Chandra Chakravarty who was a professor of mathematics at Aligarh Muslim University.

Early Life

Very little information is available about Professor Jadav’s early life. He was born in tetulia village in Sirajganj in 1855 in present day Bangladesh. His father, Krishna Chandra Chakarvarty was a priest and his mother Durgarani was a housewife. His childhood was spent in poverty. His early education was in the village school. He lost his father when he was a teenager which posed financial problems for the family. In 1876 at the age of 21 he cleared the entrance examination with first division. This earned him scholarship of 15 rupees. To augment family income he took private tuition also. He did his master’s from Presidency College in Calcutta. He obtained M.A. in mathematics from Presidency College. While studying he got a part time teaching job at Cathedral Mission College in Calcutta where he taught physics and chemistry. After completing his master’s he got a permanent lectureship at City College Calcutta. He used to teach mathematics there. It was during this time that he thought of writing text book of mathematics for students. However it could not materialize as he got a job as bureucrate under British Raj and was posted at Cooch Bihar (Chattopadhyay, D., 2021) He continued there till 1887 before he moved to M.A.O. College at Aligarh.

At Aligarh

Jadav Chandra Chakarvarty joined the then Mohammedan Anglo Oriental College, M.A.O. College, on 1 January 1888, thus, starting a new phase in his life. He joined through an advertisement in a Calcutta (now Kolkatta) newspaper. According to Morrisons (1988, reprint) “Professor Chakravarty came from Calcutta at a time when the politicians of Bengal were being roughly handled at Aligarh and it is too much hope that remarks were not occassionally dropped which must have been painful for him. But besides proving himself an admirable teacher, a most loyal colleague, he has shown a sympathetic interest in the progress of the institution and the cause which it was founded to promote; the esteem and confidence which he now commands among Muhammadan trustees was most conspicously shown by his appointment as Registrar of the College in 1899 – a post which he continues to hold at much inconvenience to himself but to the great advantage of the institution “. He got himself so much involved in the affairs of the University that in his own words “I have become a Mohammadan at heart, so far at least as the interests of the college are concerned”. He was called Babu Jadav by the staff and students.

Mathematics Department at Aligarh

Since the very beginning M.A.O. college was fortunate to get professors of mathematics of very high caliber. It was in 1885 that Prof. Harold Cox joined M.A.O. College as professor of Mathematics and Political Economy in October 1885 at a salary of INR. 300 per month which was quite a handsome salary at that time. He was a tripos in Mathematics from Jesus College, Cambridge. Prof. Harold resigned in 1887 to take up a teaching position back in England. As a replacement, a young Professor by the name of Pandit Ram Shankar Mishra joined and filled the gap. However, in 1888 he left M.A.O. College as he was appointed as Professor at Agra College. An advertisment was given in newspaper for the post of mathematics professor. Professor Jadav responded to the advertisement and joined in 1888, thus, begining a long and mutually beneficial and fruitful relationship with M.A.O. College and later with Aligarh Muslim University. Professor Jadav joined at a handsome salary of 200 rupees per month. By 1905 his salary had increased to 300 rupees per month. In fact, there was a time in the beginning when Prof. Jadav and Professor Siddons covered English, History, Mathematics and Philosophy. There were separate professors for Arabic and Persian. In fact, these were the only subjects offered in the beginning. This continued up to 1895 when more subjects were added.

In the beginning there were very few students in the mathematics department. In fact, Ziauddin Ahmad was the only student of Prof. Jadav in advanced mathematics. Later Ziauddin Ahmad took doctoral degrees both in India and Europe and became Sir Ziauddin Ahmad. Sir Ziauddin was a worthy student of Prof. Jadav. There is a Hall of residence name after him, Ziauddin Hall. Ziauddin Ahmad also joined mathematics department as teacher and along with his teacher Prof. Jadav took it to great heights. The department is still highly ranked as can be judged by the fact that in 7th Annual Survey of US News and World Report, it is the only Mathematics department to be ranked from India (www.amu.ac.in) and has maintained the first position in India in 2023 as well by the same agency (www.indianeducationdiary.in)

Professor Jadav: The author

One of the reasons for Professor Jadavs popularity was a series of textbooks on Algebra and Arithmetic which he wrote at M.A.O. College. These books are still in use even after more than 100 years of being first published. The first in the series was his textbook “Arithmetic” whose first edition was published in 1890. It became so popular that it was translated into several verncular languages such as Urdu, Bengali, Oriya, Assamese, Nepali and Hindi. In 1915 he published another book called algebra. This too became very popular. He wrote many other books for students of various classes. The sale of the books brought him good royalty. His book Arithmetic is still popular and easily available on Amazon even after 123 of its first publication. The Urdu translation of the book (part 4) for students of class 4 is available at Rekhta.com. This edition was published in 1926. The cover page mentions that the book is in strict accordance to the new curriculum for year 1926-27. It was published by P. C. Dwadash Shreni & Co., Aligarh. It was printed by Seth Phul Chand at Hira Lal Printing Press, Aligarh. The price mentioned on the cover page is 2 Anna (www.rekhta.com). Another copy of the is available published by P. C. Dwadash Shreni & Co. in 1937 at Hira Lal Printing Press, Aligarh. It was printed by Ram Narain. The price mentioned is 1 rupee and 14 Anna (www.rekhta.com). It is interesting to note the phenomennal increase in the price of the book in eleven years from 1926 to 1937. One rupee had 16 Anna. The price change is from 2 Anna to one rupee 14 Anna which translates to 30 Anna. This is 15 times increase in the price of the book. Presently it is available on Amazon for 2500 rupees.

Retirement and Death:

Prof. Jadav took sick leave from the College in the beginning of 1909. He returned to the college in June 1911 and tendered his resignation due to bad health. However, he was persuaded to withdraw it by the College authorities. However, he finally retired from the services of the College in 28 February 1916. A simple ceremony was held to bid him farewell. He was presented a gold watch by the then Lt. Governor on behalf of the college trustees. The students presented him a silver tea set. To perpetuate his memory and as a token of gratitude for his services to the college, the staff instituted a ‘Chakravarty Medal‘ to be given to the best performer in M.A. Mathematics. Thus, ended his long association with M.A.O.College. Later a hostel in Mohammad Habib Hall was named as Chakravarty hostel.

After retirement, Professor Jadav’s information is not available. What we know is that he was elected Chairman of Sirajganj Municipality. He did many works of public welfare as chairman. He developed a theatre in Sirajganj which is presently called Poura Bhasani Milayatan. He breathed his last in Calcutta on 26th November 1920 (Chattopadhyay, D., 2021)

References:

Chattopadhyay, Dhrubajyoti, (2021) 100th death anniversary Jadav Chandra: Unsung Indian mathematician. Science Reporter. May, Pp. 38-39.

Morrison, Theodore (1988) Morrison’s history of the MAO College, Aligarh. (Reprint Editor: Safi Ahmad Kakorwi) Markaz-e-Adab-e-Urdu.

Pathan, M. A. (1984) Babu Jadav Chandra Chakravarty. Fikro Nazar, Namwarn-e-Aligarh, January, Vol.23, pp. 259-262

http://www.amu.ac.in

http://www.indiaeducationdairy.in. Available at: https://indiaeducationdiary.in/us-news-and-world-report-declares-amus-dept-of-mathematics-number-one-in-india/

http://www.cosmicguru.blogspot (2018, July 27) Mathematician Jadav Chandra Chakravarti (1855-1920)

Nawab Sultan Jahan Begum (9 July 1858- 12 May 1930)

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(Residential halls of Aligarh Muslim University: Person behind the name series/ blog 4)

Begum Sultan Jahan Hall

Begum Sultan Jahan Hall is tribute of Aligarh Muslim University to its first female Chancellor and one of its biggest supporters since its infancy. The Hall was established on September 2008 as a hall of residence for female students of the University. At present the Hall has four hostels named Block A, Block B, Block C and Block D.

Birth and Early Education

Born on 9 July 1888 in Bhopal (Hamid, R., 2011) was the eldest and only surviving child of Nawab Begum Sultan Shah Jahan and H.H. Nawab Baqi Muhammad Khan Bahadur. Her early education was under the care of Nawab Sikandar Begum. She was taught Urdu, Arabic, Persian. Upon completion of her education, certificate was given by W.E.Frere. At a later stage English lessons were given by the political agent of Gwalior, A.W.Hutchinson (Fareed, Sadaf, 2020).

She became the ruler of Bhopal through a letter dated 28 June 1901, from Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy of India (Jahan, S., 1913). She was the last in the chain of successive four Muslim women rulers. The previous three being: Nawab Qudsiya Begum, Nawab Sikandar Begum and Nawab Shahjahan Begum. This is unique not only in the Islamic world but it is difficult to find such an example anywhere in world history.

Sultan Jahan and Girls Education

She was always concerned about promoting education. Her contributions towards education and particularly women education are exemplary. When Lord Edwin Montague, the British Secretary of State for India, met Begum Sultan Jahan in 1917, he noted in his diary that she was “frightfully keen on education, and jabbered about nothing else” (Naik, P., 2019). Her keenness towards education can be gauged by her complaint to Shibli Naumani. She said “My heart weeps over the educational condition of the nation. Our people are not getting any intelligence, rather they make different excuses” (Fareed, S., 2020).

Quite early during her reign as ruler of Bhopal, she established school for girls education named Madarsa Sultania. The school was affiliated to Allahabad School Board. Besides the prescribed syllabus, there was provision of teaching Quran along with its translation. The school not only had ambulance and first aid facility but it later started a separate section for teaching first aid to its students. A teachers training school was also started at the Madarsa Sultania.

During the same period she also upgraded two existing schools in Bhopal, namely Madarsa Bilqisia and Madarsa Victoria. English, Home Science, Arithmetic etc were added to the syllabus. In Madarsa Bilqisia, students were taught gardening also.

Sultan Jahan Begum opened school for Hindu girls as well by the name of Barjeesiya Kanya Pathshala. The school offered Hindi, Arithmetic and English as major subjects. She also fixed scholarship for the underprivileged students of ‘Jain Shwetambar Pathshala’.

Later on she was instrumental in the opening of Madarsa Islamia Hamidiya. The foundation of the school was laid on 5th February 1925. Similarly when her son Sahibzada Hamidullah Khan proposed to start a college in Bhopal for girls by the name of Sultan Jahan College, she enthusiastically supported the move.

Upliftment of Women

Sultan Jahan Begum was always interested in the upliftment of women as was always thinking of ways to do so. For the same purpose she established ‘Ladies Club’ in Bhopal. The idea was to encourage women to do something positive for the society. She organised event for the same purpose under the aegis of All India Women Association and presented her acclaimed address entitled ‘Issues of Women’. At the event she announced the establishment of Sultan Jahan Endowment Trust with a contribution of three lakh rupees to support meritorious and needy students.

Later she started ‘Girls Guide School‘ to motivate girls to engage in creative activities. She also started a nursing school by the name of ‘Lady Minto Nursing School‘.

Support to Madaris

Besides secular education, she was always ready to support religious education. She supported Madarsa Nadwatul Ulema, Lucknow, from its inception. She approved an annual grant of twelve thousand rupees for the same. Another major contribution was her support to Madarsa in Makkah.

Sultan Jahan Begum and Aligarh

Sultan Jahan always had connection with the Aligarh Movement. When Mohammadan Anglo Oriental College was established at Aligarh she immediately supported the cause. She sent her younger son Nawab Hamidullah Khan to Aligarh where he studied for six years like any ordinary student of the day.

She was always involved in the affairs of All India Educational Conference. In the conference meeting in 1910 in Allahabad she was told about the need to start a movement to upgrade the college to University by Prince Agha Khan and Nawab Waqar ul Mulk she immediately sanctioned one lakh rupees and also promised to talk to Nizam of Hyderabad to contribute to the cause.

Similarly late when convinced of the need for a building for All India Educational Conference, she sanctioned fifty thousand rupees. On 27th February 1914 the foundation of the building was laid by her at Aligarh and on 5th February 1916, the building was inaugurated. Presently the building is known as Sultan Jahan Manzil which runs a coaching also.

In 1920 she became the first Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University till her death in 1930. After her death her son Nawab Hamidullah Khan was appointed the Chancellor of the University. She was the first female Chancellor of any India University and so far is the only female to have held the post of Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University in its more than hundred years of existence. She attended the first convocation of the University in 1922 where she gave speech at Stretchy Hall.

Sultan Jahan Begum and Seeratun Nabi

Begum sahiba was always ahead of others when it came to contribute for any religious cause. When she was appraised of the plan of Allama Shibli Nomani to write a book on the Seerat of the Prophet, she enthusiatically supported the idea and fixes a monthly stipend for Shibli so that he can focus on his research and be relieved from worries about household expenses. Shibli acknowledged the same by writing the following lines:

Masarif ki taraf se mut’ma’in hun main bahar surat

Ke abr faiz e Sultan Jahan Begum zar afshan hai

Rahi taaleef ki tanqeed e rawayat e hai tareekhi to

Us ke wastey mera dil hai meri jaan hai

Gharz do hath hain is kaam ke anjaam main shamil

ke jis main ek faqeer be nawa hai ek Sultan hai (Shibli Nomani)

When complete Seerat un Nabi was published after the death of Allama Shibli Nomani, she further sanctioned three thousand rupees to Dar-ul-Musannifeen (Azamgarh) for the purchase of new printing press.

Sultan Jahan Begum as an Author

Sultan Jahan Begum was a prolific writer. She wrote numerous books on various subjects. Books written by her are: Tuzk-e-Sultani, Gauhar-e-Iqbal, Khiayaat-e-Sultani, Khutbat-e-Sultani, Akhtar Iqbal, Hayat-e-Shahjahaani, Tazkirah Baaqi, Hayat-al-Zaujain, Tandrustri, Hifzan-e-Sehat, Maeeshat-e-Khandani, Sweater Bunne ka Pehla Risala, Hayat-e-Qudsi, Sabeel-ul-Jinaan, Rauzatul Riyaheen, Effatul Muslimaat, Silk Shahwaar, Maqsad Asdwaaj, Seerat-e-Mustafa, Bacchon ki Parwarish, Faraez-un-Nisa, Rehbar-e-Niswan Hissa Awwal, Islamiyaat, Hidayat Baghbani, Ekhlaq ki Pehli Kitaab, Ekhlaq ki Doosri Kitaab, Ekhlaq ki Teesri wa Chauthi Kitaab, Hayaat-e-Sikandari, Falsaf-e-Ekhlaq, Tawawwo’aat wo Awamir, Hidayaat Teemardari, Bagh-e-Ajeeb (three parts), Sayahat Sultani, Azal-ur-Rahman, Muhazzab Sindagi, Madarij-al-Qur’an, Aaina-e-Sikandari, Tehzeeb-e-Niswan, Purdah.

Honours

Nawab Sultan Jahan Begum was recipient of several honours. They are:

Abdicatioin of throne and Death

in 1926, after ruling Riyasat-e-Bhopal for 25 years she abdicated her throne in favour of her youngest child, Nawab Hamidullah Khan. Thus ended the longest rule of female nawabs that the country had seen. She left for her final abode on 12 May 1930.

Legacy

The many institutions started and supported by Nawab Sultan Jahan Begum are still benefitting the society in various fields. Her legacy lives on. May Allah raise her status. Ameen.

For references and more details, please see:

Fareed, Saadaf (2020) Nawab Sultan Jahan Begum: A quintessence of educational movements in Aligarh. Sir Syed Academy, Aligarh Muslim University: Aligarh.

Hamid, Razia (2011) Nawab Sultan Jahan Begum. Bhopal: Babul Ilm Publication

Jahan, Sultan (1913) Gauhar e Iqbal. Sultan Publishers

Naik, Priya (2019) The remarkable Begums who defied patriarchal norms to rule Bhopal for more than a century. 21 May, Scroll. Available at: https://scroll.in/magazine/917529/the-remarkable-begums-who-defied-patriarchal-norms-to-rule-bhopal-for-more-than-a-century. Accessed on 11 November 2020.

https://archive.org/stream/AnIndianDiary/An%20Indian%20Diary_djvu.txt

Darul Musanneffin Shibli Academy: Change at the top

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Darul Musanneffin Shibli Academy at Azamgarh in India is one of the premiere Islamic research institute. In its more than 100 year of existence it has produced invaluable literature in the area of Islamic history, Islamic history in India, Life of the Prophet and the life of the Companions of the Prophet. Professor Ishtiyaq Ahmad Zilli joined Darul Musanneffin in March 2008 as Director/Secretary. After serving the academy for almost 13 years he has in resigned from the academy in November 2021. The new chairman selected by the committee is Dr. Zafrul Islam Khan.

He is son of well known scholar, Late Maulana Wahiduddin Khan. His younger brother, Saniyasnain Khan is also a writer and publisher and runs Goodword Books. Zafrul Islam Khan got his primary education from Madrasatul Islah, Azamgarh. Later he went to Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow. Later he went for higher studies to Jamia Al Azhar, Cairo and completed his Ph.D. from University of Manchester, UK.

Zafrul Islam Khan is a well known public figure who has a record of public service in various capacities. At present he is editor and publisher of English fortnightly The Milli Gazette. He is also the founder and chairman of Charity Alliance. Charity Alliance is an NGO involved in relief work in India and also runs school for poor in West Bengal. He is former president of All India Majlis e Mushawarat for multiple terms. He is ex chairman of Delhi Minorities Commission.

Zafrul Islam Khan is also a prolific writer and has written several books and numerous articles. Before being elected as Director/Secretary of Darul Musanneffin, he was associated with the academy for several years. He brings vast and diverse experience with him to the academy. Of late, The academy is going through a very tough situation financially. I hope that he will strengthen the academy with his leadership and the academy will thrive and continue its illustrious journey under his leadership, Ameen.

Anjuman-i-Islam Mumbai

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Author: Dr. Mohsin Aziz

Anjuman-i-Islam, Mumbai, is perhaps the oldest and largest Muslim Institution working in the field of modern education in India. It was founded in 1874 (a year before Sir Syed established Madrasatul Uloom in 1875 at Aligarh) by a small group of highly educated and wealthy Muslims from the then Bombay led by Badruddin Tayabji. The group gathered at Badruddin Tayabji’s house and the blueprint was prepared. The gathering included the three founders of Anjuman-i-Islam: Badruddin Tayabji, Camruddin Tayabji and Philanthropist Nakhuda Mohammed Ali Roghay. Besides these social worker Munshi Ghulam Mohammed and few others were also present. The group decided to start a school. Munshi Ghulam Mohammed had already travelled to North Indian cities such as Delhi and Lahore where Muslims had already established schools named Anjuman, hence the inspiration to name it Anjuman I Islam. Money was also collected for the purpose on the occasion. Out of the total collection of 36000 Indian rupees, Nakhuda Mohammad Ali Roghay donated 10000 rupees while Badruddin Tayabji donated 7500 rupees to start a school for Muslim (Anjuman-i-Islam, 2013). In todays terms, these were substantial donations. Of the three founders, Badruddin Tayabji is most well known. He was the first Indian Judge of the Bombay High Court and third president of the Indian National Congress (Anjuman-i-Islam, 2020; Wajihuddin, M., 2019). Camruddin Tayabji is the elder brother of Badruddin Tayabji was the first Indian Solicitor. Mohammad Ali Roghay was one of the leading merchants of Bombay at that time. He was trading partner of Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy and made his fortune in country trade with China. He owned a number of ships, hence the title Nakhuda, which in Urdu means Captain of ship or seafaring master (Ranganathan, M., 2019).

Anjuman’s journey started in February 1874 with one school which had three teachers and 120 students. As the number of students arose, a permanent building was required. The foundation of the present day main building was laid by the then Bombay Governor, Lord Reay, on 31 May 1890. The building was completed and inaugurated on 27 February 1893 by the then Governor of Bombay, George Harris (Wajihuddin, 2019).

An important milestone in the story of Anjuman-i-Islam was the establishment of Karimi library. It was established in 1898 by Kazi Abdul Karim Pulbandari who was owner of various publishing houses such as Karimi Press and Matba Fat-hul Karim in Mumbai. He gave a house valued 25000 Indian rupees that time in Mumbai as Waqf for the upkeep of the library (Nadvi, H., 1959).

Later it was one of the grandsons of Badruddin Tayabji, Saif Tayabji, who contributed to the development of Anjuman-i-Islam. He became member of committee of Anjuman-i-Islam in 1935 and became secretary in 1936 (Qureshi, A., 1958). Saif Tayabji was a Mathematician and a Judge. He was also a Member of Parliament. He strongly felt that lack of English education had hurt Muslims badly. He suggested that Muslims should ask for technical and commercial education rather then study humanities. He felt that by studying humanities Muslims would only join the ranks of educated unemployed (Guha, R., 2007). He was also the moving spirit behind the establishment of Urdu Research Institute in 1946 (Qureshi, A., 1958).

Today Anjuman runs educational institutions all over Maharashtra and has presence at places such as Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, New Panvel, Matheran, Pune, Panchgani, Solapur and Raigad (aiarkp, 2020).

The latest expansion of Anjuman-i-Islam has come up in Panvel, Mumbai. A new technical campus has come up  over 10.50 acres with more than 2.36 lakh square feet of built up area. The cost of the technical campus at 75 crore Indian rupees was donated by Abdul Razzak Kalsekar (Ummid, 2015, Anjuman-i-Islam Kalsekar, 2020).

Anjuman has been lucky to have dedicated staff. However, the enrolment in Urdu medium schools is dropping by the day. There are cases where individual teachers have gone beyond the call of duty to work for increasing the enrolment in Urdu medium schools to stop the closure of the school (Shaikh,A.,2019). However, there seems to be realisation among middle class Muslims families that Urdu may be important for cultural reasons but not for market and jobs as it is not embedded with the economic opportunities. In many cases, even those involved in the management of Urdu medium schools send their wards to English medium schools (Shaban, A., 2014). This is not confined to Mumbai or Maharashtra but happening all over the country (Shah, R., 2019). There have been instances where the enrolment in Urdu medium schools has increased as the Bombay Municipal Corporation has taken a number of steps (Sigh, D., 2018). However, the long term trend does not look positive for Urdu medium schools. Already a number of Urdu of medium schools in Maharashtra are semi Urdu. Semi Urdu schools teach Mathematics and Sciences in English while other subjects are taught in Urdu It is about time that the management at Anjuman-i-Islam think long and hard about the fate of Urdu schools. Strategy should be made to convert Urdu medium schools run by the Anjuman-i-Islam to English medium before the market forces compel it to take the decision in a hurry. However, it should be ensured that there is proper and adequate provision for the teaching of Urdu as a language.

For references and further reading, please see:

Anjuman I Islam. Available at: http://.anjumanislam.org/about/us. Accessed on 24 October 2020.

Anjuman-i-Islam (2013) Anjuman-i-Islam Mumbai – Reaching out, Touching Lives. Corporate Brochure, Mumbai.

Anjuman-i-Islam Kalsekar (2020) Available at: http://aiarkp.org/about-us/anjuman-i-islam. Accessed on 26 October 2020.

Dalvi, A. S. (2011) Bambai ke qadeem kutub khaney aur karimi library. Vol. /60, No. 3—4, pp. 4-15

Guha, Ramachandra (2007) India after Gandhi, pp. 370-71. London: Pan Macmillan Limited.

Nadvi, Hamidullah (1959) Karimi Library. Nawa e Adab. January, Vol. 1, No.1, pp. 73-79

NRInews24x7 (2015, October 10) India’s largest Muslim educational organization, Anjuman-I-Islam Mumbai. Available at: ttps://nrinews24x7.com/indias-largest-muslim-educational-organization-anjuman-i-islam-mumbai/. Accessed on 24 October 2020.

Qureshi, Abdulrazzaq (1958) Saifuddin Tayabji Marhoom. Nawa e Adab, January. Vol. 9, No. 1 , pp. 4-4 (dal).

Ranganathan, Murali (2019) Mohammad Ali Roghay – Life and times of a Bombay Country Trader, In Kidambi, Prashant et. al. (2019) Bombay before Mumbai. Penguin Random House India

Shaban, Abdus (2014) Urdu medium schools in Maharashtra – An Assessment of their Infrastructure and Possibility of Developing them in Model Schools. Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Available at: https://mdd.maharashtra.gov.in/Site/Upload/Pdf/Combined_Urdu_medium_Schools_report.pdf. Accessed on 30 October 2020

Shah, Rajiv (2019) Muslim elite ‘promote’ English, regional languages: Just 0.8% enroll in Urdu schools. Counterview, 15 October. Available at: https://www.counterview.net/2019/10/muslim-elite-promote-english-regional.html. Accessed on 30 October 2020.

Shaikh, Aftab (2019) Hero teacher Shaheen Shah saves Anjuman-i-Islam’s Primary Urdu School in Nagpada from closure by raising its strength from 50 to 200, Mumbai Mirror India Times, June 27. Available at: https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/civic/hero-teacher-strives-and-spends-to-keep-school-afloat/articleshow/69966626.cms#:~:text=Senior%2Dmost%20teacher%20Shaheen%20Shah,has%20enrolled%2060%20new%20students.&text=The%20lure%3A%20the%20brand%2C%20school,draw%20even%20a%20single%20admission. Accessed on 30 October 2020.

Singh, Dipti (2018) Enrolment in BMC-run Urdu, Hindi medium schools goes up. Indian Express, 31 July. Available at: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/enrolment-in-bmc-run-urdu-hindi-medium-schools-goes-up-5283919/. Accessed on 30 October 2020.

Ummid (2015) Philanthropist Abdul Razzak Kalsekar dies at 84. August 11. Available at: https://www.ummid.com/news/2015/August/11.08.2015/abdur-razak-kalsekar-dead.html. Accessed on 29 October 2020

Wajihuddin, Mohammad (2019) Anjuman has shaped minds for 145 years, to recall glorious past on founders day. The Times of India, February 17. Available at: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/anjuman-has-shaped-minds-for-145-yrs-to-recall-glorious-past-on-founders-day/articleshow/68029013.cms. Accessed on 18 October 2020

Appendix:

(List of Educational Institutions run by Anjuman-i-Islam)

List of Pre Primary Schools

– Anjuman Islam’s Allana English Pre-Primary School, C.S.T.

– Anjuman Islam’s Akbar Peerbhoy English Nursery, C.S.T.

– Anjuman Islam’s Ahmed Sailor Pre-Primary School, Nagpada, Mumbai

– Anjuman Islam’s Abdus Sattar Shuaib Pre-Primary School, Maulana Shaukat Ali Road, Mumbai

– Anjuman Islam’s Begum Sharifa Kalsekar Girls’ English Pre- Primary School, Belasis Road, Mumbai

– Anjuman Islam’s Saif Tyabji Girls’ Pre- Primary School., Belasis Road, Mumbai

– Anjuman Islam’s Khalifa Ziauddin Girls’ Pre-Primary School , Mahim.

– Anjuman Islam’s Allana Urdu Pre-Primary School, Kurla

– Anjuman Islam’s Allana English Pre-Primary School, Kurla

– Anjuman Islam’s Fazilabai Abdul Sattar Oomer Pre-Primary School

– Anjuman Islam’s Pre- Primary School, English Medium, Versova

– Anjuman – I – Islam’s Zubeida Talib Urdu Pre-Primary School


– Anjuman Islam’s Abdul Azim Khatkhatay English Pre-Primary School, Vashi, Mumbai

– Anjuman Islam’s Ahmed Peermohammed English Medium Pre-Primary School, Pune

– Anjuman Islam’s Noor Nursery Urdu School, Pune

List of primary schools

– Anjuman-I-Islam’s Ahmed Sailor Primary School, Nagpada

– Anjuman-I-Islam Abdus Sattar Shuaib Primary School, Maulana Shaukat Ali Road, Mumbai

– Anjuman-I-Islam’s Saif Tyabji Girls’ Primary & Pre-Primary School

– Anjuman-I-Islam’s Khalifa Ziauddin Girls’ Primary School – Mahim

– Anjuman-I-Islam’s Urdu Primary School, Kurla

– Anjuman-I-Islam’s Fazilabai Abdus Sattar Oomer primary School Urdu Medium, Andheri (W), Mumbai

– Anjuman – I – Islam’s Zubeida Talib Urdu Primary School, Navi Mumbai
– Anjuman-I-Islam Vm & Dm Pm Urdu Primary School, Pune

– Anjuman-I-Islam’s Allana English Primary School

– Anjuman-I-Islam’s Begum Sharifa Kalsekar Girls’ Primary English School

– Anjuman-I-Islam’s Allana English Primary School, Kurla

– Anjuman-I-Islam’s Primary School, English Medium

– Anjuman-I-Islam’s Abdul Azim Khatkhatay English Primary School

– Anjuman-I-Islam’s Ahmed Peermohammed English Medium Primary School

– Anjuman-I-Islam Public School, Panchgani

List of secondary schools

– Anjuman –I- Islam’s Badruddin Tayabji Urdu High School, CST

– Anjuman –I- Islam’s Ahmad Sailor High School

– Anjuman –I- Islam’s Jan Mohd. Cassum High School of Commerce Maulana Shaukat Ali Road, Mumbai

– Anjuman-I-Islam J.M.C Night High School, Maulana Shaukat Ali Rd, Two Tanks, Mumbai

– Anjuman-Islam’s Abdus Sattar Shuaib School, Maulana Shaukat Ali Rd., Mumbai

– Anjuman-I-Islam’s M.H.Saboo Siddik Tech.High School And Jr. College, Mumbai

– Anjuman-I-Islam’s Saif Tyabji Girls’ High School, J.B.B.Marg, Mumbai

– Anjuman-I-Islam’s Dr.M.I.Jamkhanawala Girls’ High School, Bandra West,Mumbai

– Anjuman-I-Islam’s Kurla Boys High School, Kurla West, Mumbai
Mumbai

– Anjuman-I –Islam’s Allana Girls’ High School, C.S.T. Rd, Mumbai

– Anjuman-I-Islam’s Begum Jamila Haji Abdul Haq High School For Girl’s, Versova, Mumbai

Anjuman – I – Islam’s Mustafa Faikh Urdu High School, Vashi, Navi Mumbai.

– Anjuman -I- Islam, Peermohamed High School , Pune

– Anjuman-I-Islam Public School, Panchgani

– Anjuman-I-Islam Allana English High School, Mumbai

– Anjuman-I-Islam Begum Sharifa Kalsekar English High School, Mumbai

– Anjuman-I-Islam Allana English High School Kurla, Mumbai

– Anjuman-I-Islam High School (English Medium), Versova, Mumbai

– Anjuman-I-Islam Abdul Azim Khatkhatay English Secondary School

– Anjuman-I-Islam Ahmed Peermohammed English Medium High School

List of Junior Colleges

Anjuman-I-Islam’s Akbar Peerbhoy College Of Commerce & Economics. Maulana Shaukat Ali Road, Mumbai

Anjuman-I-Islam’s M.H.Saboo Siddik Tech.High School And Jr.College, Mumbai

Anjuman-I-Islam’s Saif Tyabji Girls’ High School & Junior College of Arts & Science, J.B.B. Marg, Mumbai

Anjuman –I-Islam’s M.H.Jr. College Of Education For Women. Lady Jamshedji Road, Mumbai

Anjuman-I-Islam’s Dr.M.I Jamkhanawala Girls’ Jr.CollegeOf Sc. & Com.,Bandra West,Mumbai

Anjuman-I-Islam Junior College of Science & Commerce, CST, Mumbai

Anjuman-I-Islam Begum Jamila Haji Abdul Haq College of Home Science (Jr. College), Versova, Mumbai

Anjuman-I-Islam Allana Jr. College of Commerce, Science & Arts, Kurla, Mumbai

Anjuman-I-Islam Mustafa Fakih Jr. College of Commerce & Science, Vashi, Mumbai

Anjuman-I-Islam Peermohamed Jr. College of Arts and Commerce, Pune

List of Degree Colleges

Anjuman-i-Islam’s Akbar Peerbhoy College of Commerce and Economics, Maulana Shaukat Ali Road, Mumbai

Anjuman-I-Islam’s Dr. M.Ishaq Jamkhanawala Tibbia Unani Medical College & Haji A.R. Kalsekar Tibbia Hospital

Anjuman-i-Islam’s Complex, Andheri [W], Mumbai

Anjuman-i-Islam’s College of Hotel & Tourism Mgt. Studies & Research, CST, Mumbai

Anjuman-i-Islam’s Allana Institute of Mgt. Studies & A.K. Hafizka Institute of Hotel Mgt. & Catering Technology, CST, Mumbai

Anjuman-i-Islam’s M. H. Saboo Siddik College of Engineering, Byculla, Mumbai

Anjuman-i-Islam’s Akbar Peerbhoy College of Education, (B.Ed.), Vashi, Mumbai

Anjuman-i-Islam’s Allana Institute of Management Studies, CST, Mumbai

Anjuman-i-Islam’s Begum Jamila Haji Abdul Haq College of Home Science, CST, Mumbai

Anjuman-i-Islam’s Kalsekar Technical Campus – School of Architecture, New Panvel

Anjuman-i-Islam’s Technical Campus – School of Engineering & Technology, New Panvel

Anjuman-i-Islam’s Kalsekar Technical Campus – School of Pharmacy, New Panvel

Anjuman-i-Islam’s College of Hospitality Mgt. Studies (Affiliated to Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University Nasik) -YCMOU, CST, Mumbai

Anjuman-i-Islam’s M.H.Saboo Siddik Polytecnic, Byculla, Mumbai

Anjuman-i-Islam’s Akbar Peerbhoy Girls Polytechnic, CST, Mumbai

Anjuman-i-Islam’s Polytechnic for Girls ,Pune

Anjuman-i-Islam’s Abdul Razzak Kalsekar Polytechnic, New Panvel

Other Institutes

Anjuman-i-Islam’s M. H. Saboo Siddik Industrial Training Institute, Byculla, Mumbai

Anjuman-i-Islam’s M.H.S.S. Polytechnic Extension Centre, Solapur

Anjuman-i-Islam’s Homai Peerbhoy Computer Centre, CST, Mumbai

Anjuman-i-Islam’s Computer Training Center, C.S.T., Mumbai

Anjuman-i-Islam’s M.H.S.S. Computer Center for Hardware & Networking, Byculla, Mumbai

Anjuman-i-Islam’s A.E. Kalsekar Hospital, Andheri, Mumbai

Anjuman-i-Islam’s Urdu Research Institute, CST, Mumbai

Anjuman-i-Islam’s Adabi Printing Press, Byculla, Mumbai

Anjuman-i-Islam’s Karimi Library, CST, Mumbai

List of Hostels

Anjuman-I-Islam Sobani Hostel, CST, Mumbai

Anjuman-I-Islam Akbar Peerbhoy Girls Hostel, Andheri, Mumbai

List of Orphanages

Anjuman-I-Islam A.D. Bawla Female Orphanage, Versova, Mumbai

Anjuman-I-Islam Vali Mohd. & Dost Mohd. Peer Mohd. Girls Orphanage, Pune

Anjuman-I-Islam Boys Orphanage, Mumbra, Mumbai

List of Shara Units

Anjuman-I-Islam Sahara Mahim Unit (Center for Distress Women & Families), Mahim, Mumbai

Anjuman-I-Islam Sahara Mumbra Unit (Center for Distress Women & Families), Mumbra, Mumbai

Sir Syed Excellence Award 2020

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Author: Dr. Mohsin Aziz

The Sir Syed Excellence Award 2020 has been announced by the Aligarh Muslim University. The award in the National Category has been given to Anjuman-i-Islam, Mumbai, while in the International Category the award has been conferred on Dr. Gail Minault. The national category award carries a citation and an amount of one lakh India rupees while in the international category it carries a citation and two lakh Indian rupees . The awards was conferred on the recipients during the online Sir Syed Day commemorative function on October 17, 2020 (AMU, 2020)

Professor Minault is a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania (1972) and has taught at The University of Texas since 1972. At present she is Professor Emeritus at the Department of History, The University of Texas at Austin. Her field of research is 19th and 20th century history of India especially focusing on religion, politics, intellectual and social history and women’s movement. She is author of highly acclaimed books such as:

  • The Khilafat Movement: Religious Symbolism and Political Mobilization in India (1982)
  • Secluded Scholars: Women’s Education and Muslim Reform in Colonial India (1997)
  • Gender, Language and Learning: Essays in Indo-Muslim Cultural History (2009).

Besides she has edited the following books:

  • The Extended Family: Women and Political Participation in India and Pakistan (1981)
  • Separate Worlds: Studies of Purdah in South Asia (1982)
  • Abul Kalan Azad: A Religious and Intellectual Biography (1988)

She has also translated “Voices of Silence (1986). Professor Gail said that she is “greatly surprised, humbled, and honored to be offered this prize” (The University of Texas at Austin, 2020). During her address in the virtual program conducted to confer the award, she discussed her research on the Khilafat Movement and how important it was for her to find out what the Ali Brothers, Abdul Bari Firangi Mahali, and Maulana Azad were writing, thinking, and saying (AMU, 2020).

Anjuman-i-Islam is a Mumbai based educational conglomerate. It was started by a group of visionary Muslims led by Badruddin Tayabji in 1874. The organisation is the biggest Muslim educational conglomerate of institutions in India providing quality education in varied areas of specialisation. Today the social organisation runs more than 100 educational institutions in the state of Maharashtra, particularly Mumbai. The institutions run by Anjum-i-Islam range from pre-primary schools to Post Graduate courses and caters to around one lakh and ten thousand students. It has provided yeoman service to the nation in the field of education (AMU, 2020). The award was given to Anjuman for “Anjuman-Islam’s exemplary efforts for propagating education among Muslims and other marginalized sections of society” (Wajihuddin, M., 2020). The award was received by Dr. Zahirul Islam Kazi on behalf of Anjuman-I-Islam. While receiving the award he said that “Anjuman Islam follows the teachings of Sir Syed in providing he marginalised sections with the quality education (AMU, 2020).

Congratulations to both Professor Gail Minault and Anjuman-i-Islam for the award. The contribution of Anjuman is immense and deserves a separate blog and hopefully my next blog will be on the history and contribution of Anjuman to the cause of education.

For references and further reading, please see:

AMU (2020) https://www.amu.ac.in/about3.jsp?did=1960. Accessed on 24 October 2020.

The University of Texas at Austin (2020, October 22) Professor Gail Minault Receives Sir Syed Excellence Award. Availabel at: https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/southasia/news/professor-gail-minault-receives-sir-syed-excellence-award. Accessed on 24 October 2020.

Wajihuddin, Mohammad (2020) Anjuman education trust bags national award from AMU. The Times of India, October 10. Available at: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/anjuman-education-trust-bags-national-award-from-amu/articleshow/78588037.cms. Accessed on 24 October 2020.

100 Years of Aligarh Muslim University: The Journey Continues

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Author: Mohsin Aziz

This month Aligarh Muslim University celebrated its Centenary. Series of events are planned at the University for this joyous occasion. The Story of Aligarh Muslim University started after the first war of independence in 1857. At that time, Sir Syed was posted at Bijnour as Sadr Amin. He saw the destruction brought upon Indians and particularly Muslims after the Colonial Power suppressed the independence movement. Sir Syed was deeply affected by what he saw. He was so distraught that he even planned to migrate to some other country. Sir Syed decided to stay and work for the upliftment for the community as he himself said that it would be an act of cowardice to leave the community in such dire straits at such crucial stage of their history and settle abroad.

To achieve his aim of uplifting the community from the quagmire of poverty and illiteracy that it found itself, Sir Syed worked simultaneously at several fronts. While on the one hand he was trying to inculcate scientific temperament among the Indian Muslims by establishing Scientific Society in 1864 and bringing out magazine like Tehzeeb-ul- Akhlaq (Mohammedan Social Reformer) in 1871. On the other he was urging them to adopt modern education. Naturally he faced multi faceted opposition also.

It was on 1 April 1869 he embarked on a journey of England where his son, Syed Mehmood, got scholarship for higher education. Sir Syed’s stay in England lasted for 17 months. The visit brought major change in Sir Syed’s outlook. Although the underlying factor for his England visit was to collect material to write rebuttal of Sir William Muir’s book on Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him). During his stay in England Sir Syed visited colleges and universities and was inspired to started a “Muslim Cambridge” back home. Back in India, Sir Syed hit the ground running and immediately started working on his plan.

After seeing the advancement in Science and Technology, Sir Syed realised that the only way forward for the community was to embrace the new Science. However, back in India he faced stiff resistance from the community as the community felt that educating their children in English would make them Christaan (Christian). Despite all the adversities Sir Syed showed his character and stood his ground and worked till his death to achieve his purpose. He was lucky in a sense that he got the support of many intellectuals of his times. Similarly many in the landed aristocracy wholeheartedly supported him. Among the intellectual giants who supported Sir Syed in his endeavour are Maulana Altaf Hussain Hali, Allama Shibli Nomani, Nawab Muhsinul Mulk etc. Personally Sir Syed did everything to raise funds for his College. He begged, danced on stage, played lottery, sang on stage and what not. In his last message Sir Syed said that “

To achieve his goal of uplifting the Muslim community, he started Madrasatul Uloom Musalmanan-e-Hind at Aligarh. The Madrasa opened its doors to students on 24 May 1875 to coincide with the 56th birthday of Queen Victoria. Two years down the line it became Mohammadan Anglo Oriental College at Aligarh on 8 January 1887. The inaugural function of the establishment of the College was presided by the the then Viceroy and Governor General of India, Lord Lytton, in the presence of Sir Syed and other dignitaries. Lord Lytton laid the foundation stone of the college. The address presented by Sir Syed to the Lord Lytton said that “from the seed we sow today, there may spring a mighty tree, whose branches like those of banyan of the soil, shall in their turn strike firm roots into the earth, and themselves send forth new and vigorous sapling: that this college may expand in a University whose sons shall go forth throughout the length and breadth of the land to preach the gospel of free enquiry, of large hearted toleration and of pure morality ”

Later when Lord Ripon, the Viceroy, visited Aligarh in 1884, Sir Syed said: “Some day when our endowments are sufficient, we would request the Government to confer upon us the legal status of an independent University.” In July 1906, Badruddin Tyabji said in an address to the Aligarh College Association in England: “If, as I hope, Aligarh develops into a university it will become the centre of attraction of education for all Mohammedans, not only from the various Mohammedan schools and colleges of India, but also, it may be, from all other parts of the Mohammedan world“. The college later became University on 9 September 1920 through a bill passed in the Imperial Legislative Assembly.

Today Aligarh Muslim University is one of the Central University of the Republic of India and has been consistently ranked amongst the India’s best Universities. The University is spread over 467.6 hectares (1155 acres) in the city of Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh. Presently the University offers more than 300 courses in the traditional and modern branches of education. The University has about 28000 students, more than 1300 teaching staff and about 5600 non teaching staff on its rolls. The University boasts of 12 faculties comprising of 98 teaching departments. Besides there are 3 academies and 15 centers and institutions in the University. However, the heart and the soul of the University is its residential character. Most of the staff and students reside inside the campus. There are 19 halls of residence for students with 80 hostels. Besides the University runs one primary school and seven high schools including one for the visually challenged and two senior secondary schools, one each for boys and girls.

There are ample opportunities for sports and cultural activities on campus thus providing for all round development of students. The University maintains Willingdon Cricket Ground for Cricket, Meston Swimming pool for swimming, Gymkhana, Hockey field with asto turf besides several football grounds, skating rink, basketball, volleyball and Lawn Tennis facilities. The University also has a hiking and mountaineering club. However, the University Riding Club is its crowning glory. It is more than 100 years old riding club with excellent horses and coaching facilities. Riding Club has its own riding ground for practice. Yours truly is a former member of the riding club having earned my horsemanship certificate from Janab Hamid Ansari Sahib during his tenure as Vice Chancellor of the University. For Cultural activities there is General Education Centre which boasts of Kennedy Auditorium. The activities in General Education Centre are organised through Drama Club, Music Club (Hindustani and Western Music), Literary Club and Film Club.

The University also runs three off campus in the districts of Malappuram (Kerala), Murshidabad (Bengal) and Kishanganj (Bihar). These campuses offer MBA and integrated B.A.L.L.B. courses.

Its alumni are spread all over the length and breadth of the globe as envisaged by the sage himself. The alumni of the University have established schools, colleges and universities all over the globe and have advanced the cause of education. However, there is still lot to be done particularly in India. Various reports make it clear that Muslims in India lack behind other communities in education. The situation is even worst when it comes to higher education. It is time for Muslims of India to take initiative and invest all their time, energy and money in raising their educational standards. It is time for them to rededicate themselves to learning and contribute even more to the progress and prosperity of India and humanity at large.

Urdu goes Hi-Tech: Mirza Ghalib meets Jeff Bezos

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On June 5, 2020, Rekhta Foundation launched its Amazon Alexa Skill enabling Urdu lovers to enjoy Urdu poetry on Alexa. It allows lovers of Urdu poetry to enjoy hundreds of Urdu couplets by master poets by simple voice command. Connoisseurs will be able to enjoy this service on both Amazon Echo Range as well as Alexa enabled devices. At initial stage, it allows one to listen to almost 1000 poetry tracks from about 50 poets. To make it easy for users, the Urdu couplets have been arranged according to poets and genre like poetry on sadness, love etc.

It can be used by giving commands in both English and Urdu by simply saying “Alexa open Rekhta” or “Alexa, Rekhta Shuru karo”. It can also be used according to poet, genre or mood. example, simply telling it “Alexa, tell me a love shayari” will enable Alexa to play love shayari. At the launch of the service, the Country Manger Alexa Skills and Voice Services, India, Mr. Dilip R.S. said that “With over 1000 Shayaris to choose from, we are exited about Rekhta’s new Alexa Skill and believe it is a great way for poetry lovers to enjoy their favourite Shayaris in a hassle-free manner through simple voice commands at the comforts of their homes”.

According to Mr. Sanjeev Saraf, founder Rekhta Foundation, “With changing times, the ever-increasing charm of poetry has reached personal devices and Echo devices and Alexa-enabled smart devices perfectly fit the environment of personal leisure time. We are pleased to bring this home for the lovers of the language”.

This is a novel experiment and the need of the times. This will allow larger audience to benefit from vast collection of Urdu poetry. This may very well become a wonderful opportunity to promote the language with the help of technology. I am exited and looking forward to using this. Indeed, exciting times for Urdu and Urdu lovers.

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Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy cries out for help

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Author: Mohsin Aziz

Darul Musannefin popularly known as Shibli Academy or Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy is a research institution based in the Indian city of Azamgarh. The idea of a residential academy where scholars can stay and undertake quality research was conceived by Allama Shibli Nomani (3 June 1857 – 18 November 1914). Shibli Nomani bequeathed his property at Azamgarh city for the purpose. Besides his relative also donated their share of the property. Today the Academy is situated in 23172.67 square meters campus. The campus has a library, meeting hall, mosque, mango orchard, press and staff quarters.

The purpose of Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy is to:

  • Nurture and sustain a body of scholarly authors.
  • To provide a congenial environment for scholars to create, compile and translate literary works of high scholastic and historical value.
  • To undertake printing and publication of the literary works of the Academy.

The Darul Musannefin since its establishment has nurtured a body of scholars of repute. It provides a congenial academic environment for scholars to create, compile and translate high quality literary work. So far it has published more than 250 high quality books. Some of the best-known books of Darul Musannefin are ‘Seerat -un- Nabi’, ‘Al Farooq’ and ‘Seerat- e- Aisha’.

The Darul Musannefin also publishes a widely reputed Urdu monthly ‘Maarif’. The first issue of Maarif was published in July 1916. The journal has already completed 100 years of uninterrupted publication. At present, it is the longest surviving Urdu journal in the world.

The Press Information Bureau of  Government of India, on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Academy, described it as “Moulded in the scholarly tradition of India’s ancient centres of learning, the Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy, in the old Azamgarh town of Uttar Pradesh, has taken its place alongside some known modern research institutions. The small band of devoted scholars in the Academy, who preferred the pursuit of knowledge to the lure of status, comforts or emoluments which could have been theirs for the asking, recalls the glory of the ancient scholars of Nalanda, Cairo, Taxila and Transoxiana.”

Among its admirers Shibli Academy can count stalwarts as Allama Sir Mohammad Iqbal, Maulana Abul Kalaam Azad, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Pandit Motilal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Zakir Hussain. The present president of the Academy is Hamid Ansari (Former Vice President of India).

To show support to the Academy prominent personalities became life members. Some of the important life members of the Academy were Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, Maulana Abdul Kalaam Azad, Rafi Ahmad Kidwai, Nawab Hamidullah Khan.

In the past prominent political and intellectual personalities made it a point to visit Academy. Some of the prominent personalities who have paid visit to the Academy are Mahatma Gandhi, Motilal Nehru, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, Maulana Hasrat Mohani, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Ram Manohar Lohia, Suchitra Kriplani, Chaudhary Charan Sigh, Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru, Bi Amman, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad, Sarojini Naidu, Dr. Zakir Hussain, V.V. Giri, V.P. Sigh, Professor Sir Ziauddin, Professor Abdul Salaam (Nobel Laurate), Rahul Gandhi and Hamid Ansari to name a few.

Before Independence, Shibli Academy got valuable monetary support from the Princely states of Bhopal and Hyderabad. Particularly, the Begum of Bhopal was an important patron of the Academy. However, these sources dried up after Independence of India. Despite offers from the Government of India, the Academy opted not become a government organisation so as not to lose its independence of thought. Presently, due to a variety of reasons, the Academy is in dire financial situation. Had it been about construction of a Mosque or supporting a Madrasa, it would have been much easier to generate funds. However, people usually do not understand the importance of a research institution or a think tank. Hence, the lukewarm response of the community towards the Academy. The people at the helm of affairs are trying to tide out of the present precarious situation. Since the Academy survives purely on the donations received from the general public and does not have any permanent income stream, the present administration is trying to build a corpus fund. The idea is to make the Academy financially sustainable so as to reduce the need to go to the community again and again for support. However, due to certain factors, particularly the lockdown, the Academy’s finances are really stressed out. So much so that the April salaries were delayed by 15 days, perhaps first time in almost 106 years of its proud existence. The Director of the Academy, Professor Ishtiyaq Ahmad Zilli, has appealed to the community for help. The Academy is in precarious situation. I am appealing you to kindly help in whatever way you can.

There are several ways to financially help the Academy. Some of them are:

  • Become life member of the Academy
  • Buy books published by the Academy
  • Direct monetary contribution. Monetary contribution can be either one-time lump sum amount (no amount is small. Even 100 Indian Rupees would be helpful). The other more sustainable method is to give standing instruction to your bank to transfer a particular amount every month to the Academy (Again no amount is small. Most of the banks accept standing orders of minimum 100 Indian Rupees per month). It would not be out of place to mention that the Indian contributions to the Academy get tax benefit under 80C. The Academy also has permission to receive funds from outside India.

For those who would like to contribute directly to the Academy, the Account details are as follows:

Account Name: DARUL MUSANNEFIN SHIBLI ACADEMY

General Account No: 4761005500000051

IFSC Code: PUNB0476100

Foreign Account No: 0504010100046001

IFSC Code: PUNB0476100

Bank Name and Address: Punjab National Bank, Heerapatti, Azamgarh.

For further details the website of the Academy can be visited at:

website: www.shibliacademy.org

The administrators of the Academy may be contacted at:

E-mail: shibli_academy@rediffmail.com

info@shibliacademy.org

Note: Please forward the post to your friends. You never know who may help.

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