Aligarh Movement is often seen as a localised movement to spread education among Muslims in and around Aligarh. At least, Bihar is not seen as a place where the movement had much impact in the initial years. The perception is not based on the facts.
A large number of influential people of Bihar came together in 1868 to establish a branch of the British India Association founded by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan at Aligarh. The Scientific Society was a part of this association with an aim to promote education, establish colleges and translate scientific literature in Indian languages.
On 27 February 1868, people from across Bihar gathered in Muzaffarpur under the leadership of Maulvi Syed Imdad Ali Khan Bahadur, Principal Sadar Amin of Tirhoot (Muzaffarpur). Their demand was to get approval as a branch of the Association at Aligarh.
It was reported that the assembly sent an application to the Viceroy demanding higher education in Indian languages. The report noted that, “the said application be transmitted to the India Government through the British Indian Association at Allygurh; and it was further proposed that the Association in Mozufferpore be made a branch of the Allygurh Association.”
Syed Imdad Ali was chosen as secretary of a proposed association at the meeting. In this capacity he wrote to Raja Jaykishan Das, secretary of the Aligarh Scientific Society, requesting that the proposed association at Muzaffarpur be made a branch of the Aligarh Scientific Society. Raja Jaykishan replied that on technical grounds this could not be done. The Association at Aligarh was authorised to establish branches only in the North West Province (roughly U.P of the present). Therefore, the Association should be established as a separate Association for Bihar.
On 15 March 1868, another meeting was called to discuss the suggestion made by Raja Jaykishan. At this occasion Syed Imdad Ali read out the Presidential address of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan made at the occasion of the establishment of the Association at Aligarh. It was decided that as suggested by the Association at Aligarh, a separate Association would be formed to carry out the mission of Sir Syed in Bihar.
These people again met on 26 March where it was decided that the Association would be known as the British Indian Association, Bihar. Syed Imdad Ali was elected President and Secretary of the Association by a very large majority. Four Vice Presidents, one Secretary, one Treasurer, other Office Bearers, and several members were also appointed.
In his maiden Presidential address, Imdad Ali demanded education in Indian languages. Even though the Association at Muzaffarpur was completely independent in theory but practically it was an extension of the Aligarh Movement.
Concluding his address, Imdad Ali said, “Lastly, my Friends and Countrymen, let me respectfully direct your special attention to the laborious pursuits of my much-esteemed and worthy friend, Moulvee Syud Ahmed Khan Bahadoor, through whose indefatigable exertions a Scientific Institution has been established at Allygurh (Aligarh), for translating the most valuable and useful works printed in the English language, which, be it known, is the depository of all useful knowledge, and of all the most important sciences, and that a British-Indian Association in the North West Provinces has also been instituted for the general welfare of the country. You, my friends and countrymen, let the labours of this gentleman stimulate you and excite you to similar exertions in founding a like Association in Behar (Bihar), which I have no doubt, and trust in God, will repay you, and you and your posterity will be rewarded here and hereafter.”
In its first petition to the Viceroy of India, the Association reiterated the demands of the Association at Aligarh and Sir Syed. Concluding the petition, the Association of Bihar wrote, “Conscious as your humble petitioners are of the great boon conferred by the most gracious Government on our countrymen, by the establishment of numerous Educational institutions, and the great interest felt for Native education and moralization, do humbly hope that your Excellency will be pleased , in concurrence with the wishes of the Allygurh (Aligarh) Association, to grant this their most fervent prayer.”
The Association was authorised to set up further branches in Bihar.
