Sir Syed Ahmed on the Present State of Indian Politics, Speeches and Letters

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1888 Excerpt: ... REPLY OF SIR SYED AHMED TO SOME CRITICISMS. It was both unavoidable and natural that my Bengali brothers and some of my Hindu fellowcountry men should be angry with my Lucknow lecture, but to deduce from that lecture the conclusion that I have changed my former opinions and abandoned my desire for agreement and friendship between Hindus and Mahomedans, is wrong. There is no person who desires more than I that friendship and union should exist between the two peoples of India, and that one should help the other. I have often said that India is like a bride whose two eyes are the Hindus and the Mahomedans. Her beauty consists in this--that her two eyes be of equal lustre. I always honour the Bengalis for the progress and the high position they have attained in learning. I have always said that in the matter of learning the Bengalis are the crown of all the nations of India; and I say it again now. Than myself there is also no person more desirous that in religious matters, too, that agreement and friendship should exist. I have often given my nation to understand that slaughtering cows for the purpose of annoying Hindus is the height of cantankerous folly. If friendship may exist between us and them, that friendship is far to be preferred to the sacrifice of cows. My advice about all the religious ceremonies of the Hindus is that though they be forbidden by my religion, yet it is necessary both for us to respect their ceremonies and for them to respect ours. In those matters which my Hindu brothers are doing for their prosperity, honour and glory, I am always ready to give my best advice with the utmost sincerity of heart. These are all things which one friend may do for another. But when my Hindu brothers and Bengali friends devise such a course of action a...