Mansooruddin Faridi/New Delhi 

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and the Aligarh Movement invoke many misconceptions. The biggest myth is that Sir Syed was a hardcore Islamist and cared only for Muslims. Very little is known about his non-Muslim friends and associated, who were involved in the movement that led to the founding of the Aligarh Muslim University and many social reforms.

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan stands out in the history of the Indian subcontinent as a reformer who not only revolutionised the field of education but also promoted the concept of social harmony and a common civilisation. There is evidence of his support for the Hindu-Muslim unity. He had comrades of all religions around him for the common cause of education and social reform.

His close Hindu associates participated in his educational projects and helped him lay a strong foundation for the Aligarh Movement. As the founder of the Aligarh Movement, he spread the message during a difficult phase of his life giving a message that the path to progress lies through unity, tolerance, and knowledge.

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan

The list of Sir Syed Ahmed's non-Muslim and particularly Hindu friends is long.

One of them was Raja Jai ​​Kishan Das, who was considered among Sir Syed's closest and most trusted associates. He contributed greatly to the establishment of the Scientific Society and the foundation of Aligarh College, and stood by Sir Syed at every stage of his campaign.

Babu Shyam Prashad was another close supporter of Sir Syed's ideas, who actively participated in his educational projects.

Similarly, Pandit Badrinath was his yet another non-Muslim trusted companion, who supported Sir Syed in the Scientific Society. He was involved in scientific activities and contributed to strengthening this institution.

Babu Jyoti Prasad was Sir Syed's assistant in his academic and social work in Ghazipur. He helped further his mission at the local level.

For Sir Syed, India was a shared cultural heritage where followers of different religions were a source of support and strength to each community. He maintained close ties with his Hindu friends and also participated in their festivals.

According to eminent historian and AMU's retired chief Public Relations Officer Rahat Abrar, "Sir Syed Ahmad Khan performed the Bismillah ritual of his grandson Ras Masood in the Stretchy Hall instead of the mosque. This was against the tradition. On this occasion, Sir Syed asked the child to sit on the lap of a Hindu figure, Raja Jai ​​Kishan Das, and recite Bismillah. This incident makes it clear that for Sir Syed, religious harmony was not just a slogan but a practical attitude that he adopted in his life."

Rahat Abrar said that Sir Syed Ahmad Khan treated Raja Jaikshan Das like his brother and wanted his grandson to imbibe his qualities by making him initiate his learning in his lap.

His friendship with Raja Jai ​​Kishan Das started in an orphanage in Moradabad, UP. Sir Syed set up the orphanage during a drought when Raja Jai ​​Kishan came for a visit. He had presumed that the place only housed Muslim children. On the contrary, he found Sir Syed serving orphans of all classes and religions.

After that, he supported Sir Syed Ahmad's all endeavours.

Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of Arya Samaj movement, and his followers did significant work in the field of education. He was also close to Sir Syed.

One of his followers. Lala Lajpat Rai had said that when the Arya Samaj set up DAV College and Dayanand Anglo-Vedic Institute, it borrowed from Sir Syed's Aligarh model. Like the Aligarh Movement, the Arya Samaj institutions are based on a combination of modern education and social reform.

A letter from Lajpat Rai is displayed at the Sir Syed House Museum of AMU, on this.

Support from Dayanand Saraswati

It's interesting to note that Swami Dayanand Saraswati raised his voice strongly against the evils prevalent in Hindu society.

He wanted to bring people back to the original teachings of the Vedas, but many people were entangled in customs and traditions. Especially in Banaras, which was considered a major centre of Sanatan Dharma, he was beaten up because of his views.

In such circumstances, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan took an unusual step and invited him to his house.

Sir Syed listened to him with an open heart and, showing great generosity, recited the Vedas at his house. 

Swami Dayanand was close to Raja Jai ​​Kishan Das, and whenever he came to Aligarh, he stayed at his house. During that time, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan made it a point to meet him.

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Sir Syed had banned the serving of beef in the hostels of his college.

Rahat Abrar says that once a boy brought a cow to the hostel for slaughter on Bakr-eid. When Sir Syed knew about it, he ran to the hostel and stopped them. He also ordered that the person involved in bringing the cow to the hosterl is expelled from the college. This was obviously in dfeference to the sentiments and religious belief of Hindus.