Question

Aligarh Muslim University was founded by ____________.
A) Jinnah
B) Syed Ahmed Khan
C) Abul Kalam Azad
D) Bhutto

Answer 1

Hint: In order to improve the educational standards of the Muslims of India, there must be modern educational institutions. This was the larger objective with which Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental (MAO) College was founded in 1857.

Complete Answer:
The Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College, founded by Syed Ahmed Khan in 1875 at Aligarh, later became the Aligarh Muslim University. The institution offered modern education, including Western science, to Muslims and thus initiated educational reform in Muslims and it also had a large impact.
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan emerged on the Indian scene as one of the great reformers, modernisers, and educationists. He was born on 17th October 1817. He devoted his life to bring out a reconciliation between the British and the Muslims.

However, it was clear to him that his attempts at reconciliation would not bear fruits unless Muslim’s attitudes towards many modern institutions such as modern education including science, etc. undergo some transformation. With this purpose in mind, he founded the Scientific Society in 1863 at Ghazipur, in Uttar Pradesh. The basic objective of this institution was to translate scientific literature into Urdu. Subsequently, this society was shifted to Aligarh. He also started a journal on behalf of the society called the Indian Institute Gazette. He went to England and observed the British educational systems and was impressed by them.

Upon his return, he developed the idea that there must be modern educational institutions for the upliftment of Muslims. Thus, Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College was founded by him in 1857. Even though MAO College was founded for Muslims, its doors were still open to all.

Thus, option (B) is correct.

Note: Sir Syed was also a champion of Hindu-Muslim unity. He has once described the Hindus and the Muslims as two beautiful eyes of a beautiful bride.