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Among the galaxy of great men produced by subcontinent in the 19thcentury, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was one of the most outstanding. His greatness is to be judged by his impression made on the society and the transitional effect on thoughts of Muslims of India. In the history of Muslim Nationalism in British sub-continent, Sir Syed stands out most prominent as a philosopher, reformer, thinker and a dynamic force promoting modern scientific education, tolerance, progressiveness and consciousness. His ideas and practices proved to be a whirling point in restructuring the destiny of the entire India especially the Muslim community. He was a torch bearer of uplift of his community. For his cherished goal of ameliorating the Muslims, he adopted a policy of reconciliation. The most critical and contemporarily pertinent contribution of Sir Syed was to work out understanding between Islam and the Western Science. He also took up the task of bringing together the intellectualism of the West and the traditionalism of the East. His policy of reconciliation ultimately resulted in bridging the mistrust and bringing harmony among old and new and east and west. Literary works produced by Sir Syed are the core examples of his efforts of reconciliation among various communities. Sir Syed?s vision and policy of pluralism helped the antagonisticMuslims and Britishers to improve mutual relations. He was a rationalist,moralist and above all a humanist.Hismovement paved the way for modernism, innovation and a large-hearted tolerance. However, owing to his policy of interfaith harmony he was labeled as Kafir or an Agent of the British but he never gave up his policy of reconciliation which brought positive and constructive results for interfaith harmony in the Sub-continent. He was a bridge builder not only between the rulers and the ruled but also among the various communities. His approach of pluralism is quite relevant in today's Pakistan. This paper will explore pivotal role of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan for the reconciliation and tolerance and its significance to our present society; hostile behaviors are needed to be replaced with positive energies towards knowledge and tolerance.
Introduction
Sir Syed Ahmad Khanwas a multi-faceted scholar, intellectual, educationist political activist, journalist, theologian, social reformer and the chief organizer of the modernist Islamic movement of 19thcentury in India. His...