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IGNOU BUDC-107 Previous Year Solved Question Paper in Hindi

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Q1. Write an essay on the religious reforms of Sir Syed.

Ans. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was a great 19th-century reformer of India, whose services were not limited to the educational and political fields, but he also laid the foundation for revolutionary reforms in the religious sphere. After witnessing the decline of Muslims following the 1857 mutiny, he felt that a major reason for their backwardness was the incorrect interpretation of religion and unfamiliarity with the demands of the modern era. The fundamental point of Sir Syed’s religious reforms was Rationalism and conformity with Nature . He believed that Islam is a natural religion and that the Word of God (i.e., the Quran) and the Work of God (i.e., the universe/nature) cannot contradict each other. Based on this ideology, he attempted to test religious issues on the touchstone of reason and science. The key aspects of his religious reforms are:

• Opposition to Taqlid (Blind Following): He strongly opposed the practice of blindly following old scholars and jurists in matters of faith and practice (Taqlid). He emphasized Ijtihad (independent reasoning) so that Muslims of every era could find solutions to their problems in the light of the Quran and Sunnah themselves.
• Tafsir-ul-Quran (Commentary on the Quran): He started writing a modern commentary on the Quran, aiming to prove that its teachings were in harmony with modern science and reason. He tried to present rational and symbolic explanations for miracles, heaven, hell, angels, and jinn, instead of their traditional interpretations.
• Accusation of being a ‘Nechari’ (Naturalist): Due to these views, the traditionalist Ulema (clergy) heavily criticized him and declared him a ‘Nechari’ and an outcast from religion. However, Sir Syed remained firm in his stance.

Undoubtedly, Sir Syed’s religious thoughts were highly controversial, but his real aim was to attract Muslims towards modern education and to prove that Islam is not an obstacle to progress. The path of modernism he opened in religious thought had a profound impact on subsequent generations.

Q2. (a) Shed light on Sir Syed’s essay writing with reference to “Umeed ki Khushi”. OR (b) Express your views on Sir Syed’s thoughts regarding “Self-Help” (Apni Madad Aap).

Ans. [Note: Examinees are required to answer any one of the two. The model answer provides responses for both.] (a) “Umeed ki Khushi” and Sir Syed’s Essay Writing Sir Syed Ahmad Khan is considered the founder of modern Urdu prose and essay writing. Through his journal “Tahzib-ul-Akhlaq” , he endowed Urdu prose with purposefulness, simplicity, and clarity. His essay “Umeed ki Khushi” (The Joy of Hope) is a prime example of his essay writing, representing both his style and his thought. In “Umeed ki Khushi,” Sir Syed has beautifully articulated a psychological and moral theme. In this essay, he explains that hope is the greatest support in human life and the driving force behind every action. The characteristics of his style are clearly visible in this essay:

• Simplicity and Clarity: He used simple and straightforward language instead of difficult and ornate prose, so that the common reader could easily understand his point.
• Purposefulness: This essay was not written merely for literary pleasure; it has a specific reformist purpose. Its real aim was to light the lamp of hope in the hearts of a disappointed and defeated community after 1857.
• Rational Argumentation: To prove his point, he provides examples from everyday life, such as a child, a farmer, a merchant, and even a king, all of whom work with the support of hope.
• Emotional Touch: His style is not dry and philosophical, but one that touches the heart. He describes hope as “a great blessing from God” and a “spiritual joy.”

In conclusion, “Umeed ki Khushi” is a masterpiece of Sir Syed’s essay writing, in which he practically applied his theory of ‘literature for the sake of reform’. This essay shows how Sir Syed could transform a common theme into a powerful message through his thought and simple expression.

(b) “Apni Madad Aap” and Sir Syed’s Thoughts

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s essay “Apni Madad Aap” (Self-Help) is the essence of his social and national philosophy. This essay was inspired by the English author Samuel Smiles’ book “Self-Help,” but Sir Syed adapted it to the conditions of Indian Muslims, turning it into a powerful message. The ideas presented in this essay are the soul of the

Aligarh Movement

.

According to Sir Syed’s thoughts:

• The Secret to National Progress: The progress of any nation does not depend on the government or the help of others, but on the personal efforts, hard work, and struggle of its own individuals. His famous saying, “God helps those who help themselves,” reflects this very ideology.
• Self-Respect and Dignity: Sir Syed believed that depending on others destroys a nation’s self-respect. True progress and honor can only be achieved through one’s own hard work and competence.
• The Importance of Personal Character: He emphasized that a nation’s character is the sum of the personal characters of its individuals. If every individual becomes hardworking, honest, and self-respecting, the entire nation will automatically rise.
• The True Nature of Slavery: For Sir Syed, more dangerous than political slavery is mental and moral slavery, which arises from laziness, lethargy, and lack of courage. The spirit of “self-help” is the only way to get rid of this slavery.

Through this essay, Sir Syed tried to awaken Muslims from their slumber of negligence and persuade them to shape their own destiny. He taught the nation to look inward to correct their own flaws and rely on their own strength, instead of complaining and blaming others. This was the thought that gave birth to the great educational movement of Aligarh.

Q3. Write a detailed note on Sir Syed’s educational movement.

Ans. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s educational movement, commonly known as the “Aligarh Movement” , was a historic step for the Muslims of India in the 19th century. Sir Syed had concluded that the primary reason for the economic, social, and political backwardness of Muslims after the failure of 1857 was their distance from modern education, especially the English language and Western sciences. Therefore, he dedicated his entire life to promoting education among Muslims. The key stages and features of his educational movement are as follows:

1. Initial Steps: To prepare the ground for his movement, he started work on a small scale. The establishment of the Scientific Society in Ghazipur in 1864 was the first step in this direction. The purpose of this society was to translate books on Western sciences and arts into Urdu to popularize modern ideas.
2. Journey to England and Tahzib-ul-Akhlaq: His journey to England in 1869-70 opened his eyes. There, he closely observed the systems of universities like Oxford and Cambridge and resolved to establish a similar institution in India. Upon his return, he launched the journal “Tahzib-ul-Akhlaq” in 1870 , with the aim of preparing minds and creating an awareness of the need for educational reform.
3. Establishment of M.A.O. College: The greatest fruit of his efforts was the establishment of “Madrasatul Uloom” in Aligarh in 1875 , which became the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental (M.A.O.) College in 1877. This very college later evolved into the Aligarh Muslim University in 1920.

Objectives of the Educational Movement:

• To make Muslims proficient in Western sciences and the English language so they could secure government jobs and prominent positions in other fields.
• To arrange for religious and oriental education alongside modern education, so that the youth would not become estranged from their culture and religion.
• To establish an atmosphere of trust between the Muslims and the British government.

Sir Syed’s movement was not just the establishment of a college; it was a complete intellectual, social, and cultural awakening that determined the future direction of Indian Muslims.

Q4. Shed light on the literary and historical significance of “Asbab-e-Baghawat-e-Hind”.

Ans. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s pamphlet “Asbab-e-Baghawat-e-Hind” (The Causes of the Indian Revolt), written in 1858 immediately after the War of Independence, holds a milestone status in its historical and literary significance. It was an achievement that not only had a profound impact on Indian politics but also gave a new direction to Urdu prose. Historical Significance: After the upheaval of 1857, British officials believed that the revolt was a well-planned conspiracy by the Muslims. Due to this misunderstanding, Muslims were subjected to immense oppression. In such a dangerous environment, Sir Syed, himself an employee of the British government, showed great courage by writing this pamphlet.

• Core Argument: In this pamphlet, Sir Syed argued with great frankness that the real cause of the revolt was not a Muslim conspiracy but the policies of the British government itself. His main point was that the absence of any Indian representative in the Legislative Council made the government completely unaware of the sentiments and problems of the people.
• Other Causes: He also listed other causes, such as the activities of Christian missionaries, interference in religious customs, mismanagement of the army, and economic distress.
• Impact: He sent copies of the pamphlet to the British Parliament and the Government of India. Although it initially met with a harsh reaction, many British statesmen later acknowledged Sir Syed’s analysis. It played a crucial role in bridging the gap between the Muslims and the British.

Literary Significance:

From a literary perspective, this book is a pioneering work of

modern Urdu prose

.

• Logical and Organized Prose: Sir Syed used simple, logical, and direct language instead of ornate and rhyming prose. The emphasis is on argument rather than emotion.
• Purposefulness: It was the first influential political writing in Urdu, whose purpose was not to display literary skill but to state a political and historical truth.

In conclusion, “Asbab-e-Baghawat-e-Hind” is not only a historical document but also an excellent example of scholarly and argumentative prose in Urdu, which paved the way for the future.

Q5. Review Sir Syed’s political insight and national services.

Ans. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was not just an educational reformer but also a far-sighted political leader. His political insight and national services can only be understood in the post-1857 context of India. His political ideology was based on pragmatism, with the central focus being the educational and economic progress of Muslims. Political Insight:

1. Pragmatic Stance: After the failure of 1857, Sir Syed realized that confronting the British was suicidal. He understood that British rule in India was a reality, and therefore, the welfare of Muslims lay in adopting a path of reconciliation and loyalty towards the government to secure opportunities for education and progress.
2. Education First, Politics Later: When the Indian National Congress was formed in 1885, Sir Syed advised Muslims to stay away from it. His argument was that it was harmful for an uneducated community to participate in agitational politics. They should first get educated and stand on their own feet, and only then participate in politics.
3. Protection of Muslim Rights: After the Urdu-Hindi controversy, he felt that in a majoritarian democracy, the specific cultural and political rights of Muslims could be at risk. Based on this realization, he spoke of separate representation and rights for Muslims. Some people consider this stance as the beginning of the “Two-Nation Theory,” although his aim was to protect Muslim rights within India.

National Services:

• Representation for Indians: He was the first Indian to advocate for the inclusion of Indians in the governing body (Legislative Council) in his work “Asbab-e-Baghawat-e-Hind” .
• The Aligarh Movement: His educational movement was not just a service to Muslims but to the entire country, as it provided the nation with an educated and enlightened class.
• Social Reform: The movement he led for the reform of customs, opposition to the purdah system, and intellectual awakening benefited the entire Indian society.

In short, the purpose of Sir Syed’s politics was to lift his community out of backwardness and put it on the path of progress, and he considered this the greatest service to the country. His political insights and services are still a subject of debate, but his intentions and sincerity cannot be doubted.

Q6. Describe the special features of Sir Syed’s travelogue of London.

Ans. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s travelogue of London, also known as “Musafiran-e-London” , is not a formally authored book but a collection of letters and reports he sent to India during his stay in England in 1869-70. This travelogue holds a unique place in Urdu literature due to its purpose, style, and impact. The prominent features of this travelogue are as follows:

1. A Purposeful Journey: This journey was not for tourism. It had a clear purpose: to closely understand Western civilization, especially the British educational system, their social life, and the secret of their progress, in order to formulate a reformist plan of action for India, particularly for Muslims.
2. Comparative and Critical Style: At every step, Sir Syed compares life in England with life in India. He is amazed by the cleanliness, discipline, love for knowledge, women’s education, and their social status there, and then he expresses sorrow over the backwardness and laziness of his own community. This style was meant to jolt his community.
3. Informative and Reformist Aspect: The travelogue is a treasure trove of information. It contains details about Oxford and Cambridge universities, libraries, museums, factories, and the lifestyle of the English people. But behind every detail lies a reformist spirit asking, “Why can’t we do the same?”
4. Simple and Informal Prose: The language of the travelogue is extremely simple, spontaneous, and informal. Being in the form of letters, it has a personal touch. It feels as if Sir Syed is speaking directly to his countrymen.
5. The Impetus for the Aligarh Movement: It becomes clear from this travelogue that the concept of the M.A.O. College was solidified in Sir Syed’s mind during this journey. This travelogue is the precursor to the Aligarh Movement.

In conclusion, Sir Syed’s travelogue of London is not merely a travel account; it is the pained expression of a reformer, the analysis of a thinker, and a blueprint for the future. It provides us with crucial help in understanding Sir Syed’s mission and his thought.