I am sure readers interested in Sir Syed Ahmad Khans life and work would find Professor Shafey Kidwais work a mine of well-arranged information, objectively and competently interpreted. For this we should all be grateful to him. Irfan Habib, Professor Emeritus, Aligarh Muslim University, India
By far the best biography written of Sayyid Ahmad Khan, this is a beautifully detailed and nuanced account of one of the makers of modern India as well as Islam. Faisal Devji, Professor of History, University of Oxford, UK
Fresh perspectives on Sir Syed, especially as a reformist, have a definite appeal in todays context. The author puts his finger on the pulse of our times in revitalizing the image of Sir Syed as someone who tried to awaken pragmatic awareness rather than propagating authoritarian dictates. Kidwais book can be seen as a call for that same spirit of renaissance via Sir Syed. Sukrita Paul Kumar, Noted Scholar and Poet
Drawing upon a wide variety of primary and secondary sources, Kidwai has been able to offer a probing study that would stay as a companion and a guide to anyone interested in Sir Syed studies. Anisur Rahman, Noted Scholar and Critic
Shafey Kidwais book adds to the conversation on Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the nineteenth century reformer of India. Kidwais book reiterates the story of Sir Syeds contributions to education, inter-faith understanding, anti-colonial politics, and Muslim cosmopolitanism that improved the Muslim condition in colonial India and continue to inspire Muslims in the postcolonial present. This is a rare achievement accomplished by a single individual who struggled against all odds, which Kidwais book documents and demonstrates. Yasmin Saikia, Hardt-Nickachos Chair in Peace Studies and Professor of History, Arizona State University, USA
Professor Shafey Kidwai has in his deeply thoughtful and analytical account of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan opened a new vista for students of Modern Indian History. A rationalist who attributed miracles of prophets to the plausible realm of human psychology, to leader of an informed debate on social, cultural, religious and political dynamics of relationship between Hindus Muslims and British, Sir Syed is presented by the author through the lens of reason. His 'anti girls education' stand is not papered over by Professor Shafey who has also dwelt on why his liberal values were interpreted as communal by scholars in India and Pakistan. The book is a must read for lay persons as well as specialists both for its content and candour. Syeda Saiyidain Hameed, Noted author; Former Member, Planning Commission of India; Former Chancellor, Maulana National Urdu University
I am sure readers interested in Sir Syed Ahmad Khans life and work would find Professor Shafey Kidwais work a mine of well-arranged information, objectively and competently interpreted. For this we should all be grateful to him. Irfan Habib, Professor Emeritus, Aligarh Muslim University, India
By far the best biography written of Sayyid Ahmad Khan, this is a beautifully detailed and nuanced account of one of the makers of modern India as well as Islam. Faisal Devji, Professor of History, University of Oxford, UK
Fresh perspectives on Sir Syed, especially as a reformist, have a definite appeal in todays context. The author puts his finger on the pulse of our times in revitalizing the image of Sir Syed as someone who tried to awaken pragmatic awareness rather than propagating authoritarian dictates. Kidwais book can be seen as a call for that same spirit of renaissance via Sir Syed. Sukrita Paul Kumar, Noted Scholar and Poet
Drawing upon a wide variety of primary and secondary sources, Kidwai has been able to offer a probing study that would stay as a companion and a guide to anyone interested in Sir Syed studies. Anisur Rahman, Noted Scholar and Critic
Shafey Kidwais book adds to the conversation on Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the nineteenth century reformer of India. Kidwais book reiterates the story of Sir Syeds contributions to education, inter-faith understanding, anti-colonial politics, and Muslim cosmopolitanism that improved the Muslim condition in colonial India and continue to inspire Muslims in the postcolonial present. This is a rare achievement accomplished by a single individual who struggled against all odds, which Kidwais book documents and demonstrates. Yasmin Saikia, Hardt-Nickachos Chair in Peace Studies and Professor of History, Arizona State University, USA
Professor Shafey Kidwai has in his deeply thoughtful and analytical account of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan opened a new vista for students of Modern Indian History. A rationalist who attributed miracles of prophets to the plausible realm of human psychology, to leader of an informed debate on social, cultural, religious and political dynamics of relationship between Hindus Muslims and British, Sir Syed is presented by the author through the lens of reason. His 'anti girls education' stand is not papered over by Professor Shafey who has also dwelt on why his liberal values were interpreted as communal by scholars in India and Pakistan. The book is a must read for lay persons as well as specialists both for its content and candour. Syeda Saiyidain Hameed, Noted author; Former Member, Planning Commission of India; Former Chancellor, Maulana National Urdu University
