With reference to the Aligarh Movement, consider the following statements: 1. It was founded by Sayyid Ahmed Khan in 1875. 2. The Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College offered modern education, including Western science. 3. It aimed to revive the traditional Islamic education system and reject Western sciences. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Option The correct option is (a). Explanation The Aligarh Movement was a liberal, modernizing trend among the Muslim intelligentsia in late 19th-century India. Spearheaded by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, it aimed to reconcile Islamic teachings with modern Western scientific thought and to improve the social and political status of Muslims through English education. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct: The movement was centered around the personality of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. He founded the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental (MAO) College at Aligarh in 1875, which served as the institutional base for the movement. - Statement 2 is Correct: The core objective of the MAO College was to impart modern education based on the Western curriculum, including sciences and humanities, to the Muslim community. It sought to prepare Muslims for government services and public life under British rule. - Statement 3 is Incorrect: The Aligarh Movement was distinct from revivalist movements like the Deoband School. It did not reject Western sciences; instead, it actively promoted them. It advocated for a rational interpretation of religion (Quran) and argued that there was no conflict between the word of God (religion) and the work of God (nature/science). Key Takeaway: The Aligarh Movement was a reformist attempt to modernize the Muslim community through Western education and rationalism, whereas the Deoband Movement focused on traditional Islamic revivalism.

NCERT Class 8 History — Chapter 6: Women, Caste and Reform

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With reference to the Aligarh Movement, consider the following statements:

It was founded by Sayyid Ahmed Khan in 1875.
The Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College offered modern education, including Western science.
It aimed to revive the traditional Islamic education system and reject Western sciences.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is (a).

Explanation

The Aligarh Movement was a liberal, modernizing trend among the Muslim intelligentsia in late 19th-century India. Spearheaded by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, it aimed to reconcile Islamic teachings with modern Western scientific thought and to improve the social and political status of Muslims through English education.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: The movement was centered around the personality of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. He founded the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental (MAO) College at Aligarh in 1875, which served as the institutional base for the movement.
Statement 2 is Correct: The core objective of the MAO College was to impart modern education based on the Western curriculum, including sciences and humanities, to the Muslim community. It sought to prepare Muslims for government services and public life under British rule.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: The Aligarh Movement was distinct from revivalist movements like the Deoband School. It did not reject Western sciences; instead, it actively promoted them. It advocated for a rational interpretation of religion (Quran) and argued that there was no conflict between the word of God (religion) and the work of God (nature/science).

Key Takeaway: The Aligarh Movement was a reformist attempt to modernize the Muslim community through Western education and rationalism, whereas the Deoband Movement focused on traditional Islamic revivalism.

Your note

More from Chapter 6: Women, Caste and Reform

With reference to the social reforms initiated by Raja Rammohun Roy, consider the following statements: 1. He founded the Brahmo Sabha in Calcutta, which was later known as the Brahmo Samaj. 2. He relied exclusively on Western rationalist thought and rejected all ancient Indian texts to prove his arguments. 3. He led a campaign against the practice of Sati, which was banned in 1829. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements regarding the movement for widow remarriage in the nineteenth century: 1. Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar used ancient texts to suggest that widows could remarry. 2. The British officials opposed Vidyasagar’s suggestion and refused to pass any law permitting widow remarriage. 3. Veerasalingam Pantulu formed an association for widow remarriage in the Telugu-speaking areas of the Madras Presidency. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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With reference to the spread of education among women in the nineteenth century, consider the following statements: 1. The Arya Samaj established schools for girls in Maharashtra, while Jyotirao Phule established them in Punjab. 2. In aristocratic Muslim households in North India, women were taught the Koran in Arabic by women who came home to teach. 3. The first Urdu novels were written to encourage women to read about religion and domestic management. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements regarding women’s writings and organizations in the early twentieth century: 1. The Begums of Bhopal founded a primary school for girls at Aligarh. 2. Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain started schools for Muslim girls in Patna and Calcutta. 3. Pandita Ramabai wrote the book Stripurushtulna to criticize the social differences between men and women. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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With reference to the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929, consider the following statements: 1. It was passed after bitter debates and struggles similar to earlier social reform laws. 2. According to the Act, no man below the age of 18 and woman below the age of 16 could marry. 3. The age limits were subsequently raised to 21 for men and 18 for women. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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