Sir Syed Ahmed Khan

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (1817-1898) was a prominent Indian Muslim scholar, educator, and reformer. He advocated modernization and education for Muslims in India during British rule. Recognizing the importance of scientific knowledge and liberal education, he founded the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College in Aligarh, which later became Aligarh Muslim University. Sir Syed emphasized the need for Muslims to adopt Western knowledge while respecting their own culture, and he worked to bridge the gap between the British and Indian communities. His efforts laid the groundwork for the socio-political empowerment of Muslims in the Indian subcontinent.