Learn about the Deoband School, its revivalist roots, its intellectual and political significance, and its contribution to Islamic education in India.

Foundation, Objectives, and Historical Context of the Deoband School

• Deoband Movement: Organized by the orthodox Muslim ulema, the Deoband Movement was a revivalist effort aimed at propagating the pure teachings of the Quran and Hadis among Muslims, while keeping alive the spirit of jihad against foreign rulers.
• Darul Uloom, Deoband: The movement began at the Darul Uloom in Deoband, Saharanpur district, in 1866 by Mohammad Qasim Nanotavi and Rashid Ahmed Gangohi. It aimed to train religious leaders for the Muslim community, focusing on moral and religious regeneration.
• Contrast with Aligarh Movement: Unlike the Aligarh Movement, which promoted Western education and supported the British government, the Deoband Movement emphasized original Islamic religion and moral upliftment.

Political Contributions and Intellectual Influence of the Deoband Movement

• Political Stance: The Deoband school supported the formation of the Indian National Congress and issued a fatwa against Syed Ahmed Khan's organizations, reflecting its opposition to Syed Ahmed Khan rather than any specific political philosophy.
• Mahmud-ul-Hasan's Leadership: Mahmud-ul-Hasan provided political and intellectual content to the Deoband school’s religious ideas. He synthesized Islamic principles with nationalist aspirations, leading to the formation of the Jamiat-ul-Ulema to protect Muslim rights within the broader context of Indian unity.
• Shibli Numani's Contributions: A supporter of the Deoband school, Shibli Numani advocated the inclusion of English and European sciences in education. He founded the Nadwatul Ulama and Darul Uloom in Lucknow and believed in the idealism of the Congress, promoting cooperation between Hindus and Muslims in India.