History is forged by luminaries who don’t just inhabit their time, but transform it. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan (1817–1898) takes his place among those rare individuals whose vision, courage, and intellect have left an enduring legacy. His influence on generations was achieved by the transformative power of knowledge, reason, and enlightenment. On the occasion of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s 208th birth anniversary – celebrated globally as ‘Sir Syed Day’ by the Aligs and his admirers – we turn our focus to his core message and enduring legacy.
Born Syed Ahmad Taqvi bin Syed Muhammad Muttaqi, he matured into a distinguished scholar, educationist, social reformer, historian, and philosopher – a Renaissance man. In an era often clouded by misinformation and ideological rigidity, Sir Syed’s advocacy for rational inquiry, modern education, and a scientifically-grounded worldview feels not just relevant, but urgently necessary. He believed that intellectual empowerment was the key to a community’s self-determination, enabling it to define its own identity and counter misrepresentation. Driven by these deeply held beliefs, he established the Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh, an institution that would later attain the status of a premier university, widely recognized today as the “Oxford of the East.”
His vision and unwavering efforts were instrumental in fostering an intellectual and political consciousness among generations of Muslims. Acknowledging his unparalleled legacy, Sir Muhammad Iqbal, the revered poet-philosopher of the East, declared Sir Syed as: “the first Indian Muslim who felt the need of a fresh orientation of Islam and worked for it.” Following the 1857 Revolt, Sir Syed wrote a groundbreaking pamphlet, Asbab-e-Baghawat-e-Hind (The Causes of the Indian Revolt), providing a crucial analysis of the uprising from a native viewpoint. His personal reflection on that devastating period reveals his deep commitment: “Post-Ghadar (revolt), I was not distressed by the looting of my house or the loss of belongings; I was pained by the ruin of my qaum (community)… I gave up the idea of migration and resolved to strive for the rebuilding of my people.” Using his pen as a vehicle for intellectual and social transformation, Sir Syed founded the influential journal, Tahzeeb-ul-Akhlaq (The Social Reformer). It quickly became a cornerstone of modern Muslim thought in India. He used the journal to enlighten minds, instil rationality, and drive critical thinking and educational progress.
Engraved on a grand sandstone pillar at the heart of the AMU campus is his final, timeless message – a testament to his vision and sacrifice. It reads: “Oh my dear children, you have reached a particular stage. Remember, when I began this task, I faced relentless criticism and abuse. Life became so difficult that I aged before my time; I lost my hair, my eyesight – but not my vision. My determination never wavered. I built this institution for you, confident that you will carry its light far and wide, dispelling the surrounding darkness.” These profound words encapsulate the very core of Khan’s philosophy and mission: an unwavering commitment to elevating the qaum through education, discipline, and moral refinement.
If Syed’s spirit were to walk this age, his communitarian vision would not remain silent; it would surely ignite the embers of a magnificent, renewed movement. With his sharp insight, he understood the roots of decline and offered pragmatic solutions for progress and growth. His response to contemporary challenges would likely emphasize, with renewed vigor, learning and rational thinking as the essential foundations for Muslim reconstruction. Unfortunately, the qaum has failed to sustain his timeless message, allowing the profound promise of his transformative legacy to lapse into neglect. While coercive narratives and historical distortions proliferate in the contemporary discourse, Sir Syed’s foundational principles possess an amplified relevance. In an era marked by misinformation, division, and intellectual stagnation, the revival of his philosophy is an urgent and necessary call to action. The truest tribute to this remarkable reformer would be to revisit his ideals and actively strive to build the enlightened, educated, and morally grounded society he envisioned.
Sir Syed passed away on March 27, 1898, and was laid to rest within the Jamia Masjid premises of AMU. His grave, covered by a sheet of green grass, serves as a powerful symbol of his enduring connection to life and nature. Having uplifted an uneducated and marginalized community by championing education, his legacy continues as an everlasting source of inspiration and enlightenment for generations to come. Sir Syed stands as a testament to the power of a vision that peered past the horizon of the present to forge the future. His enduring legacy is measured not by honours, but by the strength of the institution he birthed and the awakening of socio-political consciousness he inspired.
October 17, 2025, marks the 208th birth anniversary of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. On this day, the Aligs of J&K proudly join millions across the world to pay a heartfelt and enduring tribute to the visionary founder of our alma mater and the dedicated companions who aided his mission. During those turbulent times, these dedicated men and women stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Sir Syed, to transform his visionary ideas into the enduring reality of Aligarh Muslim University. We owe them immense gratitude for establishing a seat of learning that has transformed countless lives and continues to illuminate minds. Sir Syed possessed a renaissance spirit that transcended his era, inspiring generations to embrace rational thought and progressive learning. For his profound contributions, he holds an eternal, revered place in the annals of the Muslim world, particularly the Indian subcontinent, and his legacy continues to mould our collective destiny and identity. The charge Sir Syed laid upon the Aligs was not a ritual celebration, but a relentless mandate for critical self-reflection and engagement with the challenges of the time. This leaves us with a necessary, uncomfortable question: Do we gather to venerate his memory only, or to become the spark that ignites his mission?
Happy 208th Birthday, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. May the light you kindled continue to shine, and may your soul rest in eternal peace. Aameen!
Authors are Kashmiri Aligs
Dr. Javid Ahmad Ahanger, Assistant Professor in the Centre for International Relations, IUST, Awantipora, Kashmir
Dr. Muddasir Ramzan, Assistant Professor (c) in the Department of English Language and Literature IUST, Awantipora, Kashmir.
