Which of the following statements about Sir Syed Ahmad Khan is/are correct? 1. He argued that India was a federation of ethnic communities based on common descent. 2. His philosophy was very similar to that of the Indian National Congress. 3. He imagined India as a Nation State based on individual citizen’s rights. 4. The curriculum at the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College blended Muslim theology and European empiricism. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's political and educational philosophy was distinct from the Indian National Congress (INC). He argued that India was a federation of ethnic communities based on common descent rather than a nation-state of individual citizens [3]. He believed cultural heterogeneity would hinder democratic processes and thus opposed the INC's territorial nationalism and demands for representative government, fearing it would lead to Hindu majority rule [4]. Consequently, he exhorted Muslims to stay away from the Congress [1]. Regarding education, he founded the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College in 1875 to modernize Muslim society [4]. The curriculum was a deliberate blend, aiming to provide students with both Islamic education (theology) and Western scientific knowledge (European empiricism) [4]. He advocated for a reinterpretation of the Quran in the light of reason to align with modern trends [2].

Sources

1. [3] https://sajaipuriacollege.ac.in/pdf/pol-sc/v5i43-1.pdf
2. [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 24: Post-War National Scenario > British Policy of Divide and Rule > p. 482
3. [4] https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/144521224.pdf
4. [2] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 19: Towards Modernity > Aligarh Movement (1875) > p. 304