Jamia Revisited

An exhibition of photographs that portrays Jamia Millia Islamia’s past and present. It brings alive the institution’s contribution to the freedom struggle and to education



The exhibition of photographs, historical documents and archival materials in the India International Centre (Annexe) tracing the history of Jamia Millia Islamia embodies the dynamic ethos of the institution.

The first section of the exhibition was dedicated to the radical context which forms the backdrop to the early years of Jamia. It reflects the ambience of the national resistance movement waged in the country against the British system of education. The Indian National Congress and the All-India Khilafat Committee gave the proposal to boycott all State-administered schools and colleges and the result was the significant break of Maulana Mohd. Ali from the Aligarh Muslim University. Consequently as captured in black and white is evident the pride with which was laid the first foundation stone of Jamia on an auspicious Friday, 29th October 1920 by Shaikhul Hind (Maulana Mehmud Hasan). The active involvement of Mahatma Gandhi and his visionary zeal provided the spiritual core needed to build an institution with aid only from the people. Poet Iqbal’s decline of Gandhiji’s invitation to be the Vice Chancellor of the institution made Maulana Mohd. Ali the VC and Hakim Ajmal Khan became the first Chancellor. The founders were Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari (1880-1936), Shaikhul Hind Maulana Mehmud Hasan (1851-1920), Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad (1888-1958), Abdul Majeed Khwaja (1885-1962), Maulan Mohd. Ali Jauhar (1878-1931), Hakim Ajmal Khan (1863-1927) and Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948). The institution was conceived by its founders as a seat of learning facilitating cross-cultural intellectual exchanges, the bedrock of a vibrant education system. In fact, Acharya P. C. Ray referred to Jamia as the “Islamic pithasthan” on the occasion of the second annual convocation ceremony at Aligarh on 7 February 1923. The reprint of his lecture titled “Islamic Culture and National Education” published by the Jamia Millia Press at Aligarh in 1924 was there on display.

The second section of the exhibition was devoted to the years of Jamia in Karol Bagh. The caption “Tamil-O-Taraqqui” given to a part of this section reflects the kind of emphasis that was given to comprehensive school education. Today the Jamia School between Karol Bagh and Bara Hindu Rao functions as Shafiq Memorial School. Hakim Ajmal Khan was succeeded by Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari as Amir-i-Jamia in 1927 and Maulana Mohd. Ali by Abdul Majid Khwaja as Shaikhul Jamia. This was a period of great financial stress for Jamia. Dr. Ansari tried to tide over the difficulties by forming the Ajmal Khan Fund and collecting contributions. But his plan was not very successful and in 1927, the Jamia Foundation Committee was forced to vote for the closure of the institution as there hardly seemed a way out. Only Gandhiji refused to abide and said “The Jamia has to run. If you are worried about its finances, I will go about with a begging bowl” to seek contributions rather than see the closure. He managed to get a donation of Rs. 50,000/- from the Birla Fund at this critical time which helped in tiding over the immediate crisis. A photograph documenting the simple personal possessions of Mahatma Gandhi symbolically indicates his untiring dedication to the cause of upliftment of the people and thereby to education–both moral and intellectual.

The central section of the display was a photo narrative reflecting the ethos of the growing institution. The beautiful explanation of the significance of the emblem of Jamia by Zakhir Husain still enthralls the onlooker:

‘The star’s lit up with the Grace of God,
The Holy Book with the Word of the Lord;
The palms are cool in star’s shade,
The moon’s lap has turned a glade;
Thus Wisdom finds a glorious Arcade.’

It was written for a children’s magazine–Payam-I-Talim. It is a conceptual rendering of the Jamia emblem with the motto–“Illammal Insaana Maalam Yalam” meaning “Taught man that which he knew not” from the Holy Quran. The handwritten magazines with colourful illustrations by the student’s of Jamia, a sculpture made by Prof. M. Mujeeb (1948-1973), former V.C. of the institution, personal belongings like the “lota” (small vessel), tray, globe, table cloth, robe for special occasions from Maulana Mohd. Ali’s family collection, Jigar Muradabadi’s diaries, his beautifully decorated betel box, “batua” (purse), letter to Rashid Nomani dated 21st October 1939, the chairs of Prof. M. Mujeeb and Zakhir Husain were part of the exhibition.

The concluding section of the exhibition focused on the pivotal role of Jamia Millia Islamia in furthering the intellectual tradition of the nation and the cause of both school and university education. The social and intellectual commitment of the staff and students of the institution in its early days bears the imprint of the times. In fact the first contribution to Gandhiji’s Swaraj Fund was made by the students and teachers of Jamia. Gandhiji’s son Dev Das was a member of the Jamia faculty and his grandson Rasik Lal, a student. C.F. Andrews, J. B. Kripalani, Greda Philipsborn, were members of the illustrious faculty. Greda Philipsborn was a Jew who had fled from Germany during the days of the World War. She was received personally by Zakhir Husain and appointed on New Year’s Day 1933 as part of the Jamia faculty. She died as a Muslim leaving behind a legacy of humanitarianism that is indeed the essence of all religious teachings. An entire sub-section is dedicated to “Nehru at Jamia.” Also on display were the epistolary communications between Mohd. Ali and Nehru, Ansari Papers from Liyaqat Ali to M. A. Ansari, 2nd August 1925, Asif Ali Papers from C. Rajgopalachari to Asif Ali 1934, Shaukat Ali Papers from Shaukat Ali to Annie Basant, 6th October 1917. The books on display were Inside India by Prof. Halide Edib (Dept. of Eng. Lit., Instambul Univ., Turkey) and A Nationalist Conscience: M. A. Ansari, the Congress and the Raj by Prof. Mushirul Hasan. Photographs of M.A. Jinnah, Liyaqat Ali, Sir Abdul Qadir, C. Gopalachari and Zakhir Husain with the Nawab of Nawab of Bhopal tell a story of their own. Numerous messages and greetings send to Jamia by Sarojini Naidu, Pt. Nehru in his capacity as Minister, External Affairs, Padmaja Naidu, G. B. Pant, Halide Edib, Tejbahadur Sapru, Pir Isahi Baksh and several others were on display.

The growth of Jamia Millia Islamia from an institution functioning from tents to the fabulous structure hosting multiple disciplines catering to the education of children and youth is quite inspiring. The 210 acre land, 10,400 students, 614 academic staff, 997 non-teaching staff and an annual budget of Rs. 2359.84 lakhs speaks of a narrative that is yet to be told.