Delhi, like any other capital always played a significant role in exchange of ideas.
The city was open for dialogue, attracted many Christian missionaries during the last days of Mughal Empire.
Mr. Metcalfe was appointed as a resident of Delhi by East India Company to look after economical and political affairs of Delhi.
He knew Delhi well and intellectuals of the city.
One very interesting interaction between a Christian missionary and Shah Abd al Aziz (son of Shah Waliullah) has been recorded in ‘Kalam at-i-Aziz‘.
The interaction
‘Once a missionary came to Delhi to Metcalfe, the English Resident at Delhi, and wished to have a debate with some prominent Alim (Islamic Scholar).
Metcalfe brought him to Shah Abdul Aziz on the condition that if the missionary would be talked down by Shah Abd al Aziz, then the missionary would pay two thousand rupees to Metcalfe.
Otherwise Metcalfe would pay to the missionary the same amount on behalf of Shah Abd al Aziz. Both agreed and went to Shah Abd al Aziz.
SHAH WALIULLAH AND FAZL-E-HAQ KHAIRABADI :: TRIBUTE TO LOST HEROES OF THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT
Shah Abdul Aziz was asked to answer the question on the ground of reason and logic without quoting the Quran or the Hadith.
The missionary asked if the Prophet Muhammad was the beloved prophet of God why did he not ask God to save his grandson Husayn and his children. The assassination of Husayn, he said it proved that the Prophet Muhammad was not beloved of God.
Shah Abdul Aziz replied that the Prophet did go to God for help, but God said that He could not help his grandson because he could not save HIS OWN SON from crucifixion.
This reply silenced the missionary, and he paid the promised amount to Metcalfe.’
From the book: ‘Muslims & Missionaries in Pre-Mutiny India by Avril Ann Powell pp. 104.
(Quoted, Kalam at-i-Azizi, pp.225-6, quoted in ‘Indian Muslim attitude’ pp.118-19.)
