Syed Irfan Habib (born 1953) is an Indian historian of science [1] and public intellectual. [2] He was the former Abul Kalam Azad Chair at the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration. His intellectual collaboration with Dhruv Raina as historians at the National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies (NISTADS), New Delhi in the 1990s culminated in the publication of a series of research articles (collected as a volume titled Domesticating Modern Science, 2004) on the cultural redefinition of modern science in colonial India. They also edited a volume together on Joseph Needham (Situating the History of Science, 1999), the section on "Science in Twentieth South and South-East Asia" for volume 7 of UNESCO's History of Mankind Project, and a reader on social history of science in India (Social History of Science in Colonial India, 2007). As an author, his works have been subject to mostly positive critical reception.
Irfan did his post graduation in modern Indian history and went on to receive a doctorate on the ideology and programme of revolutionaries in the 1920s freedom struggle. [1]
Habib taught at DAV (PG) College, Bulandshahr (Meerut University) for four years before joining the National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies (NISTADS), New Delhi (1984–2009). [1] He held the Abul Kalam Azad Chair at the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration, New Delhi during 2009–2016. [3]
The book was subject to mixed receptions. A review in The American Historical Review deemed it to be a carelessly edited book with shoddy introductions and unresolved dissonance across the participating authors. [4] A review in Technology and Culture noted it to be an exciting and enriching volume. [5] A review in Indian Economic and Social History Review disagreed with the excessive put down of Bernalism and other aspects but went on to note it as a very important volume in affirmation of the enduring relevance of Joseph Needham's school of thought. [6] [7]
The book contained a collection of essays from various journals and prominent publications that focused on how the first generation of scientists in post-Renaissance India responded to and appropriated the theories and practices of modern science into their cultural traditions, often conflicting among themselves but yet working towards a common goal of achieving freedom from colonialism. [8] A review in Social Scientist was positive and noted the work to be an impressive collection of informative and conceptually agile essays from a multitude of disciplines. [8]
Syed's work on Bhagat Singh and his comrades focuses on the range of ideological processes which led to Bhagat Singh's thought-school of revolutionary philosophy and corresponding political manifesto.
K.N. Panikkar, in his review of the book, praised the meticulous documentation and scholarly analysis. [9]
A collection of twelve essays on the topic of colonialism and science in India, it was intended to serve as a general introduction to a reader. [10] Critical reception was mixed.
A review in Cultural and Social History noted the work to provide a useful overview but criticized multiple aspects; many of the essays ran along parallel themes with non-optimal selections, there was an acute lack of intersection with social history contra the stated purpose of the book and that the language was often too sophisticated and abstract, for the intended audience. [10] A review in the Indian Journal of History of Science was scathing; it noted the sole endeavor of the book to demonstrate western efficiency and Indian deficiency in the progress of science. [11]
A review in Current Science praised multiple aspects of the volume and went on to note it as a valuable and impressive addition to the field esp. to potential students. [12] A review in Journal of Social History admired the multitude of viewpoints in the collection of essays and noted it to be an indispensable contribution to the field. [13] A review in Indian Historical Review noted all the selected essays to be products of insightful analyses and that the work will serve as a valuable introduction to graduate students in the domain. [14] A review in Contributions to Indian Sociology noted it to be a useful work, as well. [15]
The Hindu reviewed it as a timely scholarship which shone a spotlight on longstanding scientific discourses and rational thought schools in Islam. [16] Author and literary critic Us Salam Ziya deemed it to be a brilliant work with insightful scholarly arguments. [17]
The book was subject to widespread positive reception. Irfan Habib noted it to be a comprehensive but careful selection of writings that represented all the major ideological schools of the National Movement; Irfan's introduction and biographical sketches were especially admired. [18] A review at Kitaab.org noted its immense topical relevance at a time, when a muscular, hyper-patriotic and jingoistic band of nationalism is being increasingly thrust upon the citizens and noted Irfan to have perfected the near-impossible task of summarizing a diverse set of pluralistic ideas, with appropriate commentary. [19] Syed expressed similar motivations, upon the launch of the book. [2] C P Bhambri, former dean of the School of Social Sciences, JNU noted the book to provide a plethora of insights about the idea of nationalism in India and deemed it to be a necessary read in light of the current climate. [20]
The book was translated into Hindi under the title Bhartiya Rashtravad: Ek Anivarya Path (Rajkamal Prakashan, New Delhi, 2023).
Consisting of a selected collection of Bhagat Singh's writings, the work located them in the context of contemporary nationalism. [21] Irfan Habib noted it to be a thoughtful collection and deemed Syed's introduction to be insightful, identifying the core elements of Bhagat Singh's ideology in a clear manner. [18] C P Bhambri, former dean of the School of Social Sciences, JNU noted the volume to have done yeoman's service in correcting stereotyped notions about Singh's philosophy and in showing the need for widespread assimilation of his thought school instead of the token gratitude, bestowed on Singh, as a revolutionary martyr. [22]
This is a book-length intellectual biography of the freedom fighter, statesman and Islamic scholar, Dr. Maulana Abulkalam Azad, who was the first educational minister of independent India. Mani Shankar Aiyer noted in his review of the book that "[i]n these times of spreading hate, it is balm for the soul to hear the voice of reason, for Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s voice was the voice of reason infused with compassion. Moreover, as it was a voice that spoke only in Urdu, Arabic and Persian, S. Irfan Habib’s work in translating the evolution of thoughts in English to the lay reader (as against academics) stands as an outstanding contribution to national integration." [23] In the review that appeared in The Hindu, Faizur Rahman also emphasies the significance of the book while stating that it "has come at the right time. It not just reminds us of Azad’s selfless sacrifices for the cause of a united India, but highlights the continued relevance of his iconoclastic views on religion and politics". [24]
David Frawley, also known as Vamadeva Shastri is an American author, astrologer, teacher (acharya) and a proponent of Hindutva.
Abul Kalam Ghulam Muhiyuddin Ahmed bin Khairuddin Al-Hussaini Azad ; 11 November 1888 – 22 February 1958) was an Indian independence activist, writer and a senior leader of the Indian National Congress. Following India's independence, he became the First Minister of Education in the Indian government. He is commonly remembered as Maulana Azad; the word Maulana is an honorific meaning 'Our Master' and he had adopted Azad (Free) as his pen name. His contribution to establishing the education foundation in India is recognised by celebrating his birthday as National Education Day across India.
The Khilafat movement (1919–22) was a political campaign launched by Indian Muslims in British India over British policy against Turkey and the planned dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire after World War I by Allied forces.
Bipan Chandra was an Indian historian, specialising in economic and political history of modern India. An emeritus professor of modern history at Jawaharlal Nehru University, he specialized on the Indian independence movement and is considered a leading scholar on Mahatma Gandhi. He authored several books, including The Rise and Growth of Economic Nationalism.
Syed Sulaiman Nadvi was a British Indian, and then Pakistani, Islamic scholar, historian and a writer, who co-authored Sirat-un-Nabi and wrote Khutbat-e-Madras. He was a member of the founding committee of Jamia Millia Islamia.
Chandra Shekhar Tiwari , popularly known as Chandra Shekhar Azad, was an Indian revolutionary who reorganised the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) under its new name of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) after the death of its founder, Ram Prasad Bismil, and three other prominent party leaders, Roshan Singh, Rajendra Nath Lahiri and Ashfaqulla Khan. He hailed from Bardarka village in Unnao district of United Provinces and his parents were Sitaram Tiwari and Jagrani Devi. He often used the pseudonym "Balraj" while signing pamphlets issued as the commander-in-chief of the HSRA.
Muhammad Ali Jauhar was an Indian Muslim activist, founding member of the All-India Muslim League, a preeminent member of Indian National Congress, journalist and a poet, a leading figure of the Khilafat Movement and one of the founders of Jamia Millia Islamia.
Al-Hilal was a weekly Urdu language newspaper established by the Indian Muslim independence activist and first education minister of India Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. The paper was notable for its criticism of the British Raj in India and its exhortation to Indian Muslims to join the growing Indian independence movement. Al-Hilal ran from 1912 to 1914, when it was shut down under the Press Act.
Inquilab Zindabad is a Hindustani phrase, which translates to "Long live the revolution". Although originally the slogan was used by leftists in British India, today it is used in India and Pakistan by civil society activists during protests as well as by politicians from various ideological backgrounds.
Barun De was an Indian historian. He served as the first professor of social and economic history of the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, founder-director of the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta and the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies, Kolkata and as the honorary state editor for the West Bengal District Gazetteers. He was chairman of the West Bengal Heritage Commission.
The Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies is an autonomous research institute based in Kolkata. It is funded by the Ministry of Culture of the Government of India. It was founded on 4 January 1993. The foundation stone of the institute was laid where the new building now stands on 12 March 1993. It is devoted to the study of the life and works of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the eminent nationalist leader and India's first education minister, after whom it is named, and to the furtherance of Area Studies, with special reference to South Asia, Central Asia and West Asia, especially dealing with social, cultural, economic, political and administrative developments in Asia from the nineteenth century to the present. M.Phil.- and Ph.D.-level students of the University of Calcutta, Jadavpur University and Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi are also associated with it.
Sachindra Nath Sanyal was an Indian revolutionary and co-founder of the Hindustan Republican Association that was created to carry out armed resistance against the British Empire in India. He was a mentor for revolutionaries like Chandra Shekhar Azad, Jatindra Nath Das, and Bhagat Singh.
Abdul Qavi Desnavi was an Indian Urdu language writer, critic, bibliographer and linguist. He wrote many books on Urdu literature. His works included about Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Mirza Ghalib and Allama Muhammad Iqbal. He was awarded with several awards for his literary works.
National Education Day is an annual observance in India to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first education minister of independent India, who served from 15 August 1947 until 2 February 1958. National Education Day of India is celebrated on 11 November every year.
Syeda Saiyidain Hameed is an Indian social and women's rights activist, educationist, writer and a former member of the Planning Commission of India. She chaired the Steering Committee of the Commission on Health which reviewed the National Health Policy of 2002, till the dissolution of the body in 2015, to be replaced by NITI Aayog.
Opposition to the Partition of India was widespread in British India in the 20th century and it continues to remain a talking point in South Asian politics. Those who opposed it often adhered to the doctrine of composite nationalism in the Indian subcontinent. The Hindu, Christian, Anglo-Indian, Parsi and Sikh communities were largely opposed to the Partition of India, as were many Muslims.
Vishwa Nath Datta was a distinguished Indian writer, historian and professor emeritus at Kurukshetra University.
Composite nationalism is a concept that argues that the Indian nation is made up of people of diverse cultures, castes, communities, and faiths. The idea teaches that "nationalism cannot be defined by religion in India." While Indian citizens maintain their distinctive religious traditions, they are members of one united Indian nation. Composite nationalism maintains that prior to the arrival of the British into the subcontinent, no enmity between people of different religious faiths existed; and as such these artificial divisions can be overcome by Indian society.
This bibliography of Shibli Nomani is a selected list of generally available scholarly resources related to Shibli Nomani, a poet, philosopher, historian, educational thinker, author, orator, reformer, critic of orientalists and Islamic scholar from the Indian subcontinent during the British Raj, regarded as the father of Urdu historiography. His disciple Sulaiman Nadvi wrote his biography, Hayat-e-Shibli, in 1943. This list will include his biographies, theses written on him and articles published about him in various journals, newspapers, encyclopedias, seminars, websites, etcetera in APA style.