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.