Aligarh Muslim University completes 100 years

By Naz Asghar

Dec 1, 2020

Aligarh(UP): The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) completed 100 years of its existence today ( Dec 1, 2020), and the iconic institution, founded by great social reformer Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, plans to celeberate the event later this month at a virtual function likely to be attended by President Ram Nath Kovind.

It was on September 9, 1920, that the then Viceroy Lord Chelmsford got a bill passed for upgrading of the existing Muhammadan Anglo Oriental (MAO) College to the status of a university. The university came into being technically on December 1, 1920 after it was notified by the government gazetteer. However, the inaugural function of the university was held on December 17, 1920.

Director of the Urdu Academy and Associate Member in Charge of the Public Relations Department of AMU Dr Rahat Abrar said that a number of events had been planned on the occasion but due to corona pandemic their scale had been reduced and they were being held in virtual space.

”However, despite the pandemic woes, AMU alumni spread across the world were celebrating the event in their own ways to express their gratitude to the institution that shaped their life and career,” Dr Abrar told India News Stream.

He said that from 13 departments at its inception, AMU today had 120 departments and was running 350 courses. The university, where more than 35000 students were enrolled, had made its mark in various fields and made immense contribution to the cause of modern education in India and Indian renaissance. AMU alumni have reached several major constitutional posts of the country, including that of President of the country.

Dr Abrar also said that the university was going to bury a time capsule to mark the event, and release a pictorial history of the institution which is likely to be released by President Kovind at the main centenary function.

The time capsule will be buried after about one and a half century of Sir Syed Amad Khan burying similar capsule at the foundation laying ceremony of Muhammadan Anglo Oriental (MAO) College, the precurser of Aligarh Muslim University(AMU).

The capsule will cover the history of AMU since its inception documenting all its achievement in the national renaissnace.

A centenary gate has also been constructed to commemorate the event, he said. Besides, the Sir Syed Academy has brought out many valuable publications to mark the occasion; These include History of MAO College, Aligarh by SK Bhatnagar; Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan: A reinterpretation of Muslim Theology, by Christain W Troll; Maqalat-e-Sir Syed Vol1, edited by Maualana Mohammad Ismail Panipati; Tafheem-e-Sir Syed by Altaf Ahmad Azmi; Begum Sultan Jahan by Dr Sadaf Fareed, and Raja Jai Kishan Das by Dr Sunij Kumar Sharma.

The university, which was built by Muslims primarily for the spread of modern education among themselves has, however, kept its door open for people of all religions and the first student of the university was Ishwari Prasad and the very first graduate of the institution too was a non-Muslim, he said.

Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor Dr Tariq Masood has in a message to the students and staff of the university congratulated them on the occasion for their efforts in building up the institution.

He said ”it was a matter of great pride and self-contentment that the university has been making a steady progress ever since its inception in 1920 and is at present inclded among the top-ranked indian universities due to the concerted efforts of its faculty and focussed research of its scholars.”

Dr Mansoor also said that due to the pandemic, the university had to restrict and curatil its centenary celebrations but assured the AMU community that the functions would be held at appropriate scales once the situation improved, and would be extended into the next year.

–India News Stream