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Sir Syed’s Tehseel School (Moradabad): Now and Then |
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Written by Haidar Mohammad
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Sir Syed Ahmad khan, founder of Aligarh Muslim University, founded a school at Moradabad on 5th of November 1859 known as Tehseel School, which is still existing and functioning presently up to Class VIII. It was in news that its half original building is damaged due to the negligence of few government officials. Here author has tried to bring some facts regarding this school before the public eye.
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan has proposed “Panchayati Madrasa” to be established and in his speech he said In every city and town people should establish Madarasas with self contribution and its syllabi should be adopted with consultation of its committee and its management must take its affair into their own hands.
When he was transferred from Bijnor to Moradabad as Sadr-us-Sadur he established this school for the propagation of modern education among Muslims. He himself designed the syllabus for this school.
The total number of students in the first batch examination was 175 in which 72 students were Hindu. At the end Sir Syed distributed scholarships and prizes among meritorious students. Secretary Mr. Yad Ali provided audit Report on 2nd January 1860.
Sir Syed’s nephew Mohammad Ahmad (son of elder brother of Sir Syed) was student of this School who later became Joint Secretary of M.A.O. College, Aligarh. He was recipient of the scholarship among other three students. The selection procedure of the scholarship and prize was strictly based on merit. Sir Syed addressed the students who were getting scholarship to maintain it next year and those who were unable to get it encouraged them to work hard so they can get it next year.
Sir Syed stayed at Moradabad from April 1858 to 12th May 1862. Here his masterpieces came into existence like Asbab Baghawat e Hind (Causes of Indian Mutiny), Tarikh e Sarkashi Bijnor, Risla e Tahqeeq Lafz Nasara, edited Tarikh Firoz Shahi, which was later published by Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1862.
Muslims during the time of Sir Syed were facing atrocities for using the word Nasara for Christians. The word Nasara that is used for the Christians now and then on which Sir Syed has written research paper entitled Risala e Tahqeeq Lafz Nasara and proved it from the Holy Quran, Verse Maidah (O! Mohammad you will find friends of Muslims from the People of Book, who themselves claim that they are Nasara). He also cited that at the time of Prophet, Christians themselves used word Nasara for themselves. In the light of this the word Nasara is no longer derogatory for Christians.
The 1860 famine of Moradabad gave an immense opportunity to Sir Syed to serve the nation. Mr. John Strachey was Collector at that time, a close friend of Sir Syed. When the charge of Famine from the government was handed over to Sir Syed. He took the charge on condition that if any unclaimed Muslim or Hindu child comes to him, he will hand over him / her to Muslim or Hindu family and not to Christian Missionaries. Mr. John Strachey accepted the proposal. But this case was differed when Mr. Powll took the charge of Collectorship. Missionaries were active and were having close relationship with Powel due to his religious zeal.
14,000 people were fed with food during the famine daily. People who were able to work were employed in different menial jobs such as preparing food and so on. In this way they provided a necessary labour work by preparing food for others and themselves. Some ladies who were shy to come were provided some work at their home. Sir Syed strictly ordered that in the night if any person is coming for food he must be provided immediately. |  |
This category was for those who feel shy to come in daytime. Sir Syed managed it smartly and his entrepreneurship and managerial skills brought good results. British Government was so impressed by Sir Syed’s policy that they adopted the same policy wherever the problem existed.
Sir Syed not only established AMU but also schools at Ghazipur and Moradabad. The Victoria Memorial School of Ghazipur is still functioning and this is the case with Moradabad too. Besides establishing schools and writing masterpieces on various topics he contributed much in commentary of Holy Quran and Bible. It was the famine of Moradabad, which brought Raja Jai Kishan close to Sir Syed who was, annoyed with him earliar. Raja Jai Kishan, on his eponym a hostel is still exist in Sulaiman Hall, contributed much help to Sir Syed in realizing his dream about AMU.
The school is presently in dilapidated condition and needs an utmost revival. For this important task, something has to be done with immediate effect in order to fulfill the dreams of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.
Proposed Agenda
Upgrade the school up to the level of Intermediate / Degree College.
Any suggestions in this regard will be highly obliged from one and all.
[Acknowledgement: Author is thankful to Janab Mohammad Tayyab Saheb and Mr. Mohammad Aslam, Research Scholar (Political Science) AMU Aligarh for providing necessary documents and photographic evidences].
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