Consider the following statements: 1. Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College was founded at Aligarh by Sayyid Ahmad Khan. 2. Sayyid Ahmad Khan was a great believer in religious toleration, and Hindus, Parsis and Christians had contributed to the funds of his college. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a)1 only
- (b)2 only
- (c)Both 1 and 2
- (d)Neither 1 nor 2
Correct — C, Both 1 and 2. Sayyid Ahmad Khan founded the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental (MAO) College at Aligarh in 1875–77 to bring modern Western education to Indian Muslims; it later grew into the Aligarh Muslim University (1920) — so statement 1 is true. He was also a firm believer in religious toleration, and Hindus, Parsis and Christians contributed to the college's funds — so statement 2 is true as well.
- (a)1 only — It wrongly rejects statement 2 — Sayyid Ahmad Khan did preach toleration and drew donations from Hindus, Parsis and Christians.
- (b)2 only — It wrongly rejects statement 1 — the MAO College at Aligarh was indeed founded by Sayyid Ahmad Khan.
- (d)Neither 1 nor 2 — Both statements are historically accurate, so this cannot be correct.
Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan (1817–1898) led the Aligarh Movement to modernise Indian Muslims through English and Western scientific education. In 1875 he set up a school at Aligarh that became the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College in 1877, the seed of Aligarh Muslim University (1920).
Both statements are true, which is what the 'Both 1 and 2' option captures. The college, though aimed at Muslim uplift, was funded and supported across communities, reflecting Sayyid Ahmad Khan's early emphasis on toleration and Hindu–Muslim cooperation.
- Sayyid Ahmad Khan founded the MAO College at Aligarh (school 1875, college 1877).
- The MAO College later became Aligarh Muslim University in 1920.
- He led the Aligarh Movement for modern, English education among Muslims.
- Hindus, Parsis and Christians contributed to the college's funds.
- Assuming a Muslim-focused college could not draw cross-community funding.
- Confusing the founding dates of the school (1875), college (1877) and university (1920).
Asked as statement-based items on Sir Sayyid or by matching leaders to the institutions they founded.
Which of the following pairs are correctly matched? I. Theodore Beck : Mohammadan Anglo-Oriental College, Aligarh; II. Ilbert Bill : Ripon; III. Pherozeshah : Indian National Congress; IV. Badruddin Tyabji : Muslim League.
- (a) I, II, III and IV
- (b) II and IV
- (c) I, III and IV
- (d) I, II and III
Answer(d) I, II and III
Same institution — the Mohammadan Anglo-Oriental College, Aligarh (Theodore Beck was its principal), founded by Sayyid Ahmad Khan.
- practice — not a real PYQ
The Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh later developed into
- (a)Jamia Millia Islamia
- (b)Aligarh Muslim University
- (c)Osmania University
- (d)Banaras Hindu University
Answer(b) Aligarh Muslim University — established in 1920.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan is best associated with which movement?
- (a)The Aligarh Movement
- (b)The Deoband Movement
- (c)The Wahabi Movement
- (d)The Faraizi Movement
Answer(a) The Aligarh Movement — for modern Western education among Muslims.