1. In which city was Sir Syed Ahmad Khan born?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was born in Delhi on October 17, 1817.
2. What was the name of the educational institution founded by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in 1875, which later became a university?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan founded the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental (MAO) College in Aligarh in 1875, which was later elevated to the status of Aligarh Muslim University in 1920.
3. What was the title of the pamphlet written by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan to explain the causes of the Indian Revolt of 1857 to the British?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
Sir Syed wrote 'Asbab-e-Baghawat-e-Hind' (The Causes of the Indian Revolt) to present an Indian perspective on the reasons behind the 1857 uprising.
4. Which journal did Sir Syed Ahmad Khan launch for the social and moral upliftment of Muslims?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
Sir Syed started the journal 'Tahzib-ul-Akhlaq' (Refinement of Morals) to promote modern and scientific thinking among Muslims.
5. In which year was Sir Syed Ahmad Khan knighted by the British government?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
In recognition of his services, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was conferred with the title of Knight Commander of the Star of India (KCSI) in 1888.
6. What was the primary objective of the Aligarh Movement initiated by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
The Aligarh Movement was primarily an educational and social reform movement aimed at introducing modern, Western education among the Muslim community in India.
7. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan founded the Scientific Society in 1864 in which city?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
The Scientific Society was established by Sir Syed in Ghazipur in 1864 to translate Western scientific works into vernacular languages.
8. What was Sir Syed's advice to Muslims regarding the Indian National Congress when it was formed in 1885?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
Sir Syed advised Muslims to focus on education and economic upliftment and to stay away from the political activities of the Indian National Congress.
9. Which book did Sir Syed write in response to Sir William Muir's 'Life of Mahomet'?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
Sir Syed wrote 'A Series of Essays on the Life of Mohammed and Subjects Subsidiary Thereto' to counter the Orientalist perspectives presented in Muir's book.
10. In what year did Sir Syed Ahmad Khan pass away?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan died on March 27, 1898, in Aligarh.
11. What was the profession of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in the British East India Company?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
Sir Syed joined the judicial service of the East India Company and rose to the position of a sub-judge (Munsif).
12. The architectural design of the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College was inspired by which universities?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
During his visit to England, Sir Syed was greatly impressed by the residential college system of Oxford and Cambridge, which he replicated at the MAO College.
13. What was the purpose of the book 'The Loyal Mohammedans of India'?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
This book was written to counter the British perception that Muslims were primarily responsible for the 1857 revolt and to showcase the instances of Muslim loyalty.
14. Which of the following organizations was founded by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan to oppose the Indian National Congress?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
Sir Syed established the United Indian Patriotic Association in 1888 to counter the growing influence of the Indian National Congress.
15. What was Sir Syed's view on the medium of instruction for modern education?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
While he emphasized the importance of learning English, he also advocated for the use of vernacular languages for wider dissemination of knowledge.
16. In which year did Sir Syed visit England?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan visited England in 1869-70, which proved to be a turning point in his vision for educational reform in India.
17. What does the term 'Asar-us-Sanadid' refer to, a work by Sir Syed?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
'Asar-us-Sanadid' is a pioneering work on the history and archaeology of Delhi's monuments.
18. Who was the Viceroy of India when the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College was founded?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
Lord Lytton was the Viceroy of India at the time of the foundation of the MAO College in 1875.
19. Sir Syed's religious thought is often described as:
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
Sir Syed advocated for a rational interpretation of Islamic scriptures in light of modern scientific knowledge.
20. What was the name of the school established by Sir Syed in Muradabad in 1859?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
Before the MAO College, Sir Syed established several schools, including the Gulshan School in Muradabad.
21. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan is considered one of the earliest proponents of:
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
His emphasis on the separate identity and interests of Hindus and Muslims is seen by many as a precursor to the Two-Nation Theory.
22. What was the primary aim of the Muhammadan Educational Conference, established in 1886?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
The Muhammadan Educational Conference was a forum to discuss and promote the spread of modern education within the Muslim community.
23. Which of the following is a commentary on the Bible written by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
'Tabyin-ul-Kalam' is a commentary on the Bible where Sir Syed sought to find common ground between Islam and Christianity.
24. Sir Syed's father, Mir Muttaqi, was associated with the court of which Mughal emperor?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
Mir Muttaqi served in the court of the Mughal emperor Akbar II.
25. What was Sir Syed's stance on women's education in the 19th century?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
While he was not against women's literacy, Sir Syed prioritized modern education for men and believed women should receive traditional education at home.
26. The Aligarh Institute Gazette, started by the Scientific Society, was a bilingual journal in which two languages?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
The Aligarh Institute Gazette was published in both English and Urdu to cater to a wider audience.
27. Where is Sir Syed Ahmad Khan buried?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was buried within the precincts of the central mosque of the Aligarh Muslim University.
28. Which incident deeply affected Sir Syed and became a turning point in his life, leading to his focus on community reform?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
The devastation and the plight of the Muslims after the 1857 revolt profoundly impacted Sir Syed and motivated him to work for their upliftment.
29. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's interpretation of Islam emphasized:
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
A key aspect of his religious thought was the belief that the 'Work of God' (nature and science) and the 'Word of God' (the Quran) could not be in conflict.
30. What was the name of the organization Sir Syed established in London?
✅ Correct Answer: a
📝 Explanation:
In collaboration with others, Sir Syed helped establish the East India Association in London to voice the concerns of Indians.
31. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's grandfather, Khwaja Fariduddin, served as the prime minister in the court of which Mughal emperor?
✅ Correct Answer: a
📝 Explanation:
His maternal grandfather, Khwaja Fariduddin, held the position of Prime Minister in the court of Akbar II.
32. The Urdu-Hindi controversy, which started in the 1860s, played a significant role in shaping Sir Syed's political views. In which city did this controversy primarily emerge?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
The demand to replace Urdu with Hindi in the courts of Benares was a key event that led Sir Syed to believe in the separate identities of Hindus and Muslims.
33. What was Sir Syed's initial stance on Hindu-Muslim unity?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
In his early years, Sir Syed was a proponent of Hindu-Muslim unity and used the famous analogy of India being a bride with Hindus and Muslims as her two beautiful eyes.
34. Which of these is a historical work by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan on the reign of Firuz Shah Tughlaq?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
Sir Syed edited and published Ziauddin Barani's 'Tarikh-e-Firoz Shahi', a significant historical text.
35. What was the immediate predecessor of the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
The school, 'Madrasatul Uloom Musalmanan-e-Hind', was established in 1875 and later developed into the MAO College in 1877.
36. Which British official's support was crucial for Sir Syed in establishing the MAO College?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
Sir William Muir, the Lieutenant-Governor of the North-Western Provinces, was a significant supporter of Sir Syed's educational initiatives.
37. Sir Syed's 'Tafsir-ul-Quran' is a commentary on the Quran based on:
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
His commentary on the Quran was a pioneering effort to interpret the holy book in harmony with reason and modern scientific understanding.
38. What was the name of Sir Syed's son who became the first Indian judge of the Allahabad High Court?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
Syed Mahmud, a brilliant legal mind, followed in his father's footsteps in the judicial service and achieved high office.
39. The Scientific Society, after its establishment in Ghazipur, was later moved to which city?
✅ Correct Answer: d
📝 Explanation:
The headquarters of the Scientific Society were shifted to Aligarh, which became the center of Sir Syed's activities.
40. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was a member of which of the following legislative bodies?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
Sir Syed was nominated to the Imperial Legislative Council by the Viceroy, where he served for several years.
41. Which of these was NOT a reason for Sir Syed's opposition to the Indian National Congress?
✅ Correct Answer: d
📝 Explanation:
While he opposed the Congress, his immediate focus was on education, not on forming a separate political party for Muslims.
42. The All India Muhammadan Educational Conference played a role in the formation of which major political party?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
The annual sessions of the Muhammadan Educational Conference provided the platform where the idea of a separate political party for Muslims was mooted, leading to the formation of the Muslim League in 1906.
43. What was the title of the honorary degree conferred upon Sir Syed by the University of Edinburgh?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
In recognition of his contributions to education and society, the University of Edinburgh awarded him an honorary LL.D. degree.
44. Sir Syed's 'Khutbat-e-Ahmadiyya' was a series of lectures delivered in which city?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
He delivered these lectures in London, which were later published as 'A Series of Essays on the Life of Mohammed'.
45. In his pamphlet on the causes of the 1857 revolt, what did Sir Syed identify as the primary reason for the uprising?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
Sir Syed argued that the absence of Indian voices in the legislative process led to misunderstandings and policies that alienated the populace.
46. The journal 'Tahzib-ul-Akhlaq' was modeled on which famous English periodicals?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
Sir Syed was inspired by the essays of Addison and Steele in 'The Spectator' and 'The Tatler' and sought to create a similar journal for social reform in India.
47. Which of the following books by Sir Syed is a defense of Islam against the criticisms of Christian missionaries?
✅ Correct Answer: d
📝 Explanation:
The 'Khutbat-e-Ahmadiyya' (Essays on the Life of Mohammed) was written to present a more accurate and favorable picture of Islam and its Prophet to the Western world.
48. The Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental Defence Association was formed in 1893 primarily to:
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
This association was formed to protect and advocate for the political interests of the Muslim community.
49. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's maternal grandfather, Khwaja Fariduddin, was also a noted:
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
Khwaja Fariduddin was a man of learning and had a keen interest in mathematics.
50. What role did Sir Syed play during the 1857 revolt in Bijnor?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
As a judicial officer in Bijnor, Sir Syed remained loyal to the British and was instrumental in protecting their lives during the uprising.
51. The curriculum at the MAO College was a blend of:
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
Sir Syed's vision for the college was to create a synthesis of the best of Eastern and Western knowledge.
52. Who among the following was a close associate of Sir Syed and a key figure in the Aligarh Movement?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
Maulana Shibli Nomani was initially a close associate of Sir Syed and a faculty member at the MAO College, though he later developed differences with Sir Syed's approach.
53. Sir Syed's views on the 'Niyabat-i-Ilahi' (Vicegerency of God) emphasized:
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
He interpreted this concept in a modernist way, suggesting that humans are God's vicegerents because of their ability to reason and comprehend the natural world.
54. The establishment of which university by a contemporary reformer posed a challenge to the Aligarh Movement's approach?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
The Darul Uloom Deoband, with its focus on traditional Islamic learning and opposition to British influence, represented a different path for Muslims compared to the modernism of the Aligarh Movement.
55. Sir Syed's grandson, Sir Ross Masood, became a famous:
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
Sir Ross Masood followed in his grandfather's footsteps and made significant contributions to the field of education.
56. The foundation stone of the MAO College was laid by:
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
The foundation stone of the college was laid by the Viceroy, Lord Lytton, in 1877.
57. What was the name of the school Sir Syed established in Ghazipur in 1863?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
In 1863, he established the Victoria School in Ghazipur.
58. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was appointed a fellow of which university in 1876?
✅ Correct Answer: a
📝 Explanation:
He was appointed a fellow of the University of Calcutta in recognition of his services to education.
59. The 'Strachey Hall' at Aligarh Muslim University is named after:
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
Sir John Strachey was a British administrator and a close friend and supporter of Sir Syed's educational mission.
60. Which of these concepts was central to Sir Syed's educational philosophy?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
Sir Syed encouraged the use of Ijtihad, or independent reasoning, in interpreting religious texts and in dealing with contemporary issues.
61. What was the name of the committee formed by Sir Syed to raise funds for the MAO College?
✅ Correct Answer: a
📝 Explanation:
The Committee for the Better Diffusion and Advancement of Learning among Muhammadans of India, commonly known as the College Fund Committee, was established for this purpose.
62. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's family had a long association with which profession?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
His family had served in various administrative and advisory roles in the Mughal court for generations.
63. Which contemporary of Sir Syed was a prominent poet and intellectual who both supported and critiqued the Aligarh Movement?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
Altaf Hussain Hali, in his famous epic poem 'Musaddas-e-Hali', praised the past glory of Muslims and lamented their present decline, which resonated with the objectives of the Aligarh Movement.
64. Sir Syed's famous quote, 'Hindus and Muslims are the two eyes of a beautiful bride,' was made in the context of:
✅ Correct Answer: a
📝 Explanation:
This quote is from a period when Sir Syed was a strong proponent of a shared Indian identity.
65. The architectural style of the Jama Masjid at Aligarh Muslim University, where Sir Syed is buried, is reminiscent of which famous mosque?
✅ Correct Answer: a
📝 Explanation:
The design of the university's mosque is inspired by the grandeur of the Badshahi Mosque.
66. What was the name of the English principal of the MAO College who had a long and influential tenure?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
Theodore Beck served as the principal of the MAO College for a significant period and was a close confidant of Sir Syed.
67. In his writings, Sir Syed often used the term 'Qaum' to refer to:
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
The interpretation of Sir Syed's use of the word 'Qaum' is debated, with some seeing it as evidence of his belief in the Two-Nation Theory, while others argue it simply meant 'community'.
68. The Anjuman-i-Taraqqi-i-Urdu (Association for the Progress of Urdu) has its roots in which of Sir Syed's organizations?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
The Anjuman-i-Taraqqi-i-Urdu was established as a branch of the Muhammadan Educational Conference to promote the Urdu language.
69. Sir Syed's efforts to reconcile Islam with modernity were a response to the challenges posed by:
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
He believed that Muslims needed to engage with Western thought and science to overcome their intellectual stagnation and social decline.
70. Which of these was a key feature of the residential life at the MAO College, inspired by English universities?
✅ Correct Answer: a
📝 Explanation:
The tutorial system, where students received individual attention from their teachers, was an important aspect of the educational experience at the MAO College.
71. Sir Syed's journal 'Tahzib-ul-Akhlaq' faced criticism from:
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
His modernist and rationalist ideas were often met with stiff opposition from traditionalist ulema who accused him of being a 'nechari' (naturalist).
72. What was the immediate outcome of the Urdu-Hindi controversy for Sir Syed?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
This controversy was a pivotal moment that led him to believe that the paths of the two communities were diverging.
73. The 'Aligarh Movement' is synonymous with:
✅ Correct Answer: d
📝 Explanation:
The term 'Aligarh Movement' encompasses the wide-ranging reforms in education, social customs, and intellectual thought spearheaded by Sir Syed and his associates.
74. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's mother, Aziz-un-Nisa Begum, was known for her:
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
His mother was a deeply religious and intelligent woman who played a crucial role in his upbringing and character formation.
75. The curriculum designed by Sir Syed for the MAO College aimed to produce graduates who were:
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
His goal was to create a new generation of Muslims who could navigate the modern world while remaining true to their faith, and who could also serve in the British administration.
76. The Victoria Gate at Aligarh Muslim University is an example of which architectural style?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
The Indo-Saracenic style, which blends elements of Indian, Islamic, and Western architecture, is prominent in many of the older buildings of the university.
77. What was Sir Syed's response to the establishment of the Indian National Congress in 1885?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
Sir Syed was apprehensive about the Congress's agenda and believed that it did not represent the interests of the Muslim minority.
78. Which of these events took place in the same year that the MAO College was founded?
✅ Correct Answer: d
📝 Explanation:
The MAO College was founded in 1875, and Queen Victoria assumed the title of Empress of India in 1877, the year the college was formally inaugurated by Lord Lytton.
79. Sir Syed's emphasis on 'Ilm-ul-Kalam' (scholastic theology) was aimed at:
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
He called for a 'new Ilm-ul-Kalam' that would use reason and logic to defend Islamic tenets in the modern era.
80. The Siddons Union Club at Aligarh Muslim University, one of the oldest student unions in India, was established during Sir Syed's lifetime. It was primarily a:
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
Modeled on the union clubs of English universities, it was intended to be a forum for debate, discussion, and intellectual development.
81. What was the main purpose of Sir Syed's visit to England in 1869?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
His primary goal was to get a firsthand experience of the British universities and to use that knowledge to establish a similar institution in India.
82. Which of these phrases best captures the essence of the Aligarh Movement?
✅ Correct Answer: d
📝 Explanation:
The core idea of the Aligarh Movement was to persuade Muslims to engage with and adapt to the modern world, particularly in the realm of education.
83. Sir Syed's approach towards the British can be best described as:
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
He believed that the progress of Muslims was contingent upon their cooperation with the British rulers and their adoption of Western education.
84. The first graduate of the MAO College was:
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
Ishwari Prasad, a Hindu student, was the first graduate of the MAO College, reflecting its non-sectarian admissions policy.
85. What was the name of the locality in Delhi where Sir Syed was born?
✅ Correct Answer: d
📝 Explanation:
His ancestral home was located in the heart of Mughal Delhi.
86. In the later years of his life, Sir Syed was increasingly concerned about the political future of Muslims in a:
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
His opposition to the Indian National Congress stemmed from his fear that in a democratic India, the interests of the Muslim minority would be overlooked.
87. The educational philosophy of the Aligarh Movement stood in stark contrast to that of:
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
While Aligarh advocated for modern, Western education, the Deoband Movement focused on preserving traditional Islamic learning and resisting Western influences.
88. What was the immediate trigger for Sir Syed to write 'Asbab-e-Baghawat-e-Hind'?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
He felt compelled to offer a counter-narrative to the prevailing British view that Muslims were the main instigators of the rebellion.
89. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's ideas on social reform included campaigning against:
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
Through his journal 'Tahzib-ul-Akhlaq', he sought to eradicate social evils and irrational customs that he believed were holding the Muslim community back.
90. The Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College was granted the status of a full-fledged university in which year?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
The Aligarh Muslim University Act of 1920 elevated the college to the status of a central university.
91. Who among these leaders was a product of the Aligarh Movement and a prominent figure in the Pakistan Movement?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
Many of the leaders of the Muslim League and the Pakistan Movement, including Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar and Liaquat Ali Khan, were educated at Aligarh and were influenced by the Aligarh Movement's ideals.
92. What was the significance of the Scientific Society's work?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
The primary function of the Scientific Society was to bridge the knowledge gap by translating important scientific and literary works from English into Indian languages.
93. Sir Syed's educational vision was holistic, encompassing:
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
He believed in a well-rounded education that would not only cultivate the mind but also build character and ensure physical well-being, as reflected in the emphasis on sports and residential life at the MAO College.
94. The legacy of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan is complex and is viewed differently by various groups. He is often hailed as:
✅ Correct Answer: d
📝 Explanation:
Depending on the perspective, Sir Syed is seen as a visionary educator, a pragmatic collaborator with the British, and an early proponent of the idea that Muslims constituted a separate nation. All these aspects are part of his multifaceted legacy.
95. Which of Sir Syed's writings was a biographical work on the Prophet Muhammad?
✅ Correct Answer: a
📝 Explanation:
'Khutbat-e-Ahmadiyya' is a collection of essays on the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, written to counter Western misconceptions.
96. In the context of the 19th century, Sir Syed's advocacy for English education for Muslims was considered:
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
At a time when many Muslims were wary of Western influences, Sir Syed's strong push for English education was a bold and often criticized move.
97. The city of Aligarh was chosen as the location for the MAO College because:
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
Aligarh's strategic location in the heart of the North-Western Provinces and its significant Muslim population made it an ideal choice for the college.
98. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's rationalistic approach to religion is often compared to which European intellectual movement?
✅ Correct Answer: c
📝 Explanation:
His emphasis on reason, natural law, and scientific inquiry as compatible with religious faith mirrors the core tenets of the European Enlightenment.
99. What was the name of Sir Syed's elder brother, who was also a writer and publisher?
✅ Correct Answer: b
📝 Explanation:
His elder brother, Syed Muhammad Khan, was also a literary figure and played a role in Sir Syed's early intellectual development.
100. The establishment of the MAO College was a significant step towards:
✅ Correct Answer: d
📝 Explanation:
The college had multiple objectives: to equip Muslims for government service, to cultivate a modern worldview, and, in the process, to strengthen a sense of community and separate identity.