Bøger af Aijaz Ahmad

This book entitled "Aligarh Muslim University: An Educational and Political History, 1920-47" is a complete history of Aligarh Muslim University right from its establishment to the Indian Independence of 1947. The content of this book throws light on educational development of AMU and political participation of its alumni into the ongoing national movement of that time. The chapters of this book also mentions that how the alumni was divided into loyalist and nationalist factions on the question of Pakistan Movement.

This book 'Indian Muslims Against British Rule' includes the events of the Uprising of 1857 and the participation of the Muslims, particularly the theologians as their religious duty to uproot the British rule from the Indian subcontinent. They actively participated not only during the Uprising of 1857 but even before and after the same upheaval. They also suffered a lot for that very involvement, and brutally crushed in all over North India. They were the real heroes who mobilized not only the Muslims in the name of Jihad, martyrdom, freedom and the nation but also to the Hindus for the sake of their religion and nation. It was the first time when even the Hindus frequently used the term Jihad to their fights against the British and in most of the places they arrayed under the green Islamic flag. This work is an attempt to prove the Muslims, a true patriot and the real hero of the first war of independence, and remind the readers, what actually happened during the inordinate episode in 1857 and thereafter. It's the work of different historical dimension with independent analysis and research in the modern context. In this work, I have tried to do justice to the ideologically complex topic which was the need of the time and awaken my readers about the Muslim torch bearers which always taught the lesson of love to the country and its people irrespective of caste and creed. Apart from the general history of the Uprising, the role of the Wahabi and Faraizi Movements also has been discussed in the context of the circumstances after a deep research and analysis. The role of the personalities like Bahadur Shah Zafar, General Bakht Khan, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Mirza Ghalib, and other related personalities have been very widely discussed. The print media or journalism of that time, particularly the Urdu Press which was the main source of inspiration to the common people has also been discussed in detail. I have much hope with this book that it would change the common mindset which has been developed about the Indian Muslim since the partition of India.

This book entitled, "Uprising of 1857: Some Facts about Failure of Indian War of Independence" includes much detail on the nature and character of the Uprising of 1857. Although, it is a general history, which emphasizes every aspect of the Uprising, throws much light on the events, places, and personalities directly concerned to the Uprising of 1857. Many dimensions of the Uprising particularly distinct perspectives such as popular, national, military, religious, etc. has been analyzed in the modern context, and independent research and thinking. The role of different personalities also has been re-evaluated in the light of contemporary and primary sources. By writing this history the author has presented a new look of the Uprising based on critical analysis of the historical facts. This book is a humble attempt to remedy the deficiency which the author has felt after long experience of reading and writing history. The British, slowly and gradually snatched the political power of India from the Native rulers and on the pretext of moral improvement, the British Government adopted intolerant religious policy, which led to the conversion from oriental religions to the Christianity. Both Hindus and Muslims of this country began to feel that their religion was in danger, and particularly the Muslims due to their fanatical pride, and resented the Christian supremacy. Initially the Indians resented the policies of the British Government and mobilized the civilian and militia through the famous chapati and lotus distribution. Finally on 10th of May, the final rising exploded from Meerut which followed the long fight throughout North India. The titular Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar was enthroned in the Red Fort, and Delhi was made, once again, the capital of India. The entire history covered under different chapters of this book shows the real picture of the revolt. The whole topics are quite interesting, full of knowledge, and based on authentic sources with little hypothetical narrations.

A controversial overturning of post-colonial cultural criticism.