Question

What were Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan’s initial views on ‘Hindu-Muslim’ unity?

What were Sir Sayyid’s initial views on ‘Hindu-Muslim’ unity?

विकल्प

• He regarded them to be different entities.

• He regarded them to be one Quam (nation).

• He believed that their interests were different.

• He regarded them to be two separate Quams (nations).

Answer 1

He regarded them to be one Quam (nation).

Explanation: 

Initially, Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan believed Hindus and Muslims formed a single nation and promoted Anglo-Muslim cooperation (e.g., founding the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College with both Hindu and Muslim patrons). Under the influence of Theodore Beck and subsequent developments, he revised this view, arguing that their political interests differed.