Cementing Ethics with Modernism

An Appraisal of Sir Sayyed Ahmed Khan's Writings

Cementing Ethics with Modernism: An Appraisal of Sir Sayyed Ahmed Khan's Writings Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan (1817-1898) better known as the founder of the Aligarh Muslim University was not only the first Renaissance Indian Muslim of the 19th century but was also one of the prime movers of modern, scholar and democratic India. The book, running into six chapters zeros in on Sir Sayyid’s writings that explore a stunning variety of topics. The study makes it clear that his relentless efforts for bringing about social reforms and intellectual awakening could bear fruits thanks to his widely known periodicals - The Aligarh Institute Gazette and Tahzibul Akhlaq that proved to be Avanti - courier of modernism in 19th century. The book concentrates on his periodicals that articulate Islam’s moral and social commitment to a rational and humane society. His Islam is not a world of religious bigotry, intolerance and clairvoyance. The book turns attention to his concrete actions (As a member of Vice regal Legislative Counci, Education Commission and Public Service Commission) and his writing that unfailingly obliterate all traces of parochial and sectarian attitude attributed to him by the namby-pamby scholars.