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Jamia Millia Islamia: From Humble Beginnings to a Prestigious Central University
Table of Contents
Key Statistics:
| Key Statistics | Details |
|---|---|
| Establishment Year | 1920 |
| Ownership Type | Central University |
| Campus Size | 239 acres |
| Top Accreditations | A++ Grade by NAAC, NBA |
| Recognised by | UGC, AICTE, NCTE |
| NIRF Rankings (2024) | 3rd among Universities |
About Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI)
Founded in 1920, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) is a prestigious government university with a rich history and a strong commitment to academic excellence. The university was initially established in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, and later moved to its current location in Jamia Nagar, New Delhi.
Historical Highlights:
- Foundation and Early Support: JMI was established on October 29, 1920, following demands from students at Aligarh Muslim University for a new National Muslim University free from British influence. The foundation was supported by leaders like Dr. Zakir Hussain and Mahatma Gandhi, who even sent his son, Devdas Gandhi, to teach at the university.
- Relocation to Delhi: In 1925, JMI relocated to Karol Bagh, New Delhi, and by 1936, most of its institutions had moved to the new campus in Jamia Nagar.
- Recognition: The University Grants Commission (UGC) recognized JMI as a deemed university in 1962, and it was granted the status of a Central University by an act of Parliament in 1988.
- Notable Visit: In 2006, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia visited JMI and donated USD 30 million for a library and research center.
Modern Achievements:
Ranking: JMI ranks #3 in the University category according to the NIRF 2024 rankings, highlighting its standing as one of India’s top universities.
Courses Offered: The university offers over 250 courses across various specializations, providing a diverse range of academic opportunities for students.
Notable Alumni: The university boasts a distinguished list of alumni, including cricket legend Virender Sehwag and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
Alumni Success: JMI alumni are successfully placed in diverse sectors such as Engineering, Education, and more, demonstrating the university’s strong career support and industry connections.
Rising Opportunities: In the MBA program, the median package witnessed a significant rise of over 28% in 2023 compared to 2022, reflecting the growing value of a JMI education.
Background
Jamia Millia Islamia, initially founded in Aligarh, United Provinces, India, in 1920, achieved the status of a Central University through an Act of the Indian Parliament in 1988. In Urdu, “Jamia” means ‘University,’ and “Millia” translates to ‘National.’
The institution’s journey from a modest beginning in pre-independence India to becoming a prominent central university in New Delhi is a testament to the unwavering dedication, vision, and perseverance of its founders. They nurtured Jamia Millia Islamia through challenging times, building it “stone by stone and sacrifice by sacrifice,” as famously noted by Sarojini Naidu, the nightingale of India.
Genesis
Jamia’s inception was influenced by two significant movements during the British colonial era: the anti-colonial Islamic activism and the pro-independence aspirations of the politically active, Western-educated Indian Muslim intelligentsia. In the political atmosphere of 1920, these two movements aligned with Mahatma Gandhi’s support. The Khilafat Movement, representing anti-colonial sentiments, and the Indian National Congress’s Non-Cooperation Movement, embodying the push for independence, combined their forces, leading to the creation of Jamia Millia Islamia. Rabindranath Tagore hailed it as “one of the most progressive educational institutions of India.”
In response to Gandhi’s call to boycott educational institutions under colonial influence, a group of nationalist teachers and students left Aligarh Muslim University, protesting its pro-British stance. Key figures in this movement included Maulana Mehmud Hasan, Maulana Mohamed Ali, Hakim Ajmal Khan, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari, and Abdul Majid Khwaja.
Establishment
The Foundation Committee of Jamia Millia Islamia convened on 29th October 1920, consisting of prominent members such as Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari, Mufti Kafayattullah, Maulana Abdul Bari Farang Mahali, and others from various regions. On 22nd November 1920, Hakim Ajmal Khan was elected as the first Chancellor, and Mohamed Ali Jauhar became the first Vice-Chancellor, although the position was initially offered to Allama Iqbal by Mahatma Gandhi.
The renowned freedom fighter and Muslim theologian, Maulana Mehmud Hasan, laid the foundation stone of Jamia Millia Islamia at Aligarh on 29th October 1920. The early teachers of Jamia, despite the challenging circumstances, were highly respected and dedicated.
Crisis
Jamia Millia Islamia, born during a period of intense political struggle for Indian independence, faced significant challenges in its early years. It actively participated in the Bardoli resolution, sending volunteers across the country to inspire the fight for freedom. The British colonial government soon imprisoned many of its teachers and students. After Gandhi called off the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922 and the Khilafat Movement ended in 1924, Jamia faced a severe crisis. Some believed that its mission was complete, while others felt it had lost its purpose. Financial support, especially from the Khilafat, also dried up, and many prominent figures began to distance themselves from the institution, putting Jamia’s very existence at risk.
Jamia Moves to Delhi
Amid this crisis, Jamia’s resilience shone through. With the support of Hakim Ajmal Khan, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari, and Abdul Majeed Khwaja, and bolstered by Gandhi’s encouragement, Jamia was relocated from Aligarh to Karol Bagh, New Delhi, in 1925. Gandhi emphasized Jamia’s importance, stating, “The Jamia has to run. If you are worried about its finances, I will go about with a begging bowl.” Despite financial challenges, Jamia adopted self-reliance programs, such as Charkha and Takli, inspired by Gandhi’s constructive ideas.
Although Gandhi’s influence helped in securing some financial aid, the risk of supporting a Congress-backed institution under British rule deterred many potential benefactors. Additionally, orthodox Muslims viewed Jamia as a rival to Aligarh Muslim University, often called the ‘Muslim Oxford.’ During these tough times, Hakim Ajmal Khan personally financed many of Jamia’s expenses. Dr. M.A. Ansari and Abdul Majeed Khwaja traveled extensively across India and abroad, raising awareness and funds to keep Jamia alive, successfully averting its collapse.
Resurgence: The Second Trio
In 1925, a group of three friends—Dr. Zakir Husain, Dr. Abid Husain, and Dr. Mohammad Mujeeb—who were studying in Germany, decided to dedicate themselves to Jamia. Dr. Zakir Husain, who earned his doctorate in Economics from the University of Berlin, was a natural leader. Dr. Abid Husain specialized in Education, and Mohammad Mujeeb, an Oxford scholar in History, was committed to educational reform.
Arriving at Jamia in 1926, these three friends were offered modest salaries, but out of their dedication, they voluntarily reduced them further to ensure Jamia’s financial sustainability. One of their early initiatives was the introduction of popular evening classes for adult education, which eventually became an institution known as Idara-i-Taleem-o-Taraqqi in 1938.
When Hakim Ajmal Khan passed away in 1928, Jamia faced a second financial crisis, as he had been a significant financial contributor. The leadership of Jamia then passed to Dr. Zakir Husain, who became Vice Chancellor in 1926. To stabilize Jamia, a group of young teachers, led by Dr. Zakir Husain, pledged to serve Jamia for the next twenty years on a salary not exceeding Rs. 150. This group was known as the Life Members of Jamia, a tradition that was repeated in 1942 by a second group of teachers.
In 1928, Jamia’s Printing and Publications department was divided into three parts: Jamia Press at Darya Ganj, Urdu Academy, and Maktaba Jamia, each managed by Prof. Mohammad Mujeeb, Dr. Abid Husain, and Mr. Hamid Ali, respectively.
Shifting to the New Campus
On 1st March 1935, the foundation stone for a new school building was laid at Okhla, then a small village on the southern outskirts of Delhi. By 1936, most of Jamia’s institutions, except for Jamia Press, Maktaba, and the library, had moved to the new campus. The focus of Jamia was on developing innovative educational methods, leading to the establishment of a teacher’s college, Ustadon ka Madrasa, in 1938. Jamia was officially registered as a society on 4th June 1939.
Jamia’s reputation as a progressive educational movement attracted attention from abroad, with foreign dignitaries like Husein Raouf Bey, Dr. Behadjet Wahbi of Cairo, and Ms. Halide Edib of Turkey visiting the campus. Some foreigners, like the German lady Ms. Gerda Philipsborn (popularly known as Aapa Jaan), even joined Jamia’s staff and contributed significantly.
In 1939, Maulana Ubaidullah Sindhi, a theologian and freedom fighter, accepted Dr. Zakir Husain’s invitation to stay at Jamia and started an Islamic Studies school called Baitul Hikmah, promoting Shah Waliullah’s ideology. Dr. Zakir Husain, who later became the President of India, reminisced about those challenging yet hopeful days, describing them as “days of joy.”
During Jamia’s silver jubilee celebration in 1946, the deep divisions within India became evident. On one side of Dr. Zakir Husain, the Vice Chancellor, sat Mr. and Mrs. Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Liyaqat Ali Khan, while Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Asaf Ali, and Sir C. Rajagopalachari were on the other.
The partition riots that ravaged northern India in 1947 did not touch Jamia’s campus, which remained “an oasis of peace in the Sahara” of communal violence, as described by Gandhi. However, Jamia’s publishing house, Maktaba Jamia, lost books worth seven lakhs in the arson.
Post-Independence Growth
After independence, Jamia Millia Islamia continued its development as a unique academic institution. Many international dignitaries, including Marshal Tito (1954), King Zahir Shah of Afghanistan (1955), Crown Prince Faisal of Saudi Arabia, King Reza Shah Pehlavi of Iran (1956), and Prince Mukarram Jah (1960), visited Jamia during their official trips to New Delhi.
In 1962, following the death of Mr. Abdul Majeed Khwaja, Dr. Zakir Husain, who had by then become the Vice President of India, was appointed as Jamia’s Chancellor in 1963.
Deemed to be University
In 1962, the University Grants Commission recognized Jamia Millia Islamia as a ‘Deemed to be University.’ This milestone was followed by the establishment of the School of Social Work in 1967. In 1971, Jamia inaugurated the Zakir Husain Institute of Islamic Studies to honor Dr. Zakir Husain, who had passed away in 1969. The university also launched new academic programs, including a BE course in Civil Engineering in 1978 and established various faculties and centers in the 1980s, such as the Faculty of Humanities and Languages, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and the State Resource Centre.
By 1985, Jamia had established the Faculty of Engineering & Technology and the University Computer Centre. The Academic Staff College and the Academy of Third World Studies were founded in 1987 and 1988, respectively.
Central University Status
In December 1988, Jamia Millia Islamia was granted Central University status by a special Act of Parliament. Over the years, new faculties and programs were introduced, including the Faculty of Law in 1989. Jamia has continued to expand its academic offerings, with a particular focus on Information Technology (IT) courses. The university also boasts a campus-wide network that connects many of its departments and offices, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of educational innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
"Jamia" means 'University' and "Millia" means 'National' in Urdu.
Jamia Millia Islamia was established in 1920 in Aligarh, United Provinces, India.
Jamia Millia Islamia became a Central University in December 1988 through an Act of the Indian Parliament.
Key figures include Maulana Mehmud Hasan, Maulana Mohamed Ali, Hakim Ajmal Khan, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari, and Abdul Majid Khwaja.
Jamia Millia Islamia was established as a response to Mahatma Gandhi's call to boycott educational institutions under colonial influence and to promote anti-colonial Islamic activism and pro-independence aspirations.
Hakim Ajmal Khan was the first Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia, elected on 22 November 1920.
Mohamed Ali Jauhar was the first Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia.
Jamia moved from Aligarh to Delhi in 1925 due to financial crises and political challenges, supported by figures like Hakim Ajmal Khan, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari, and Abdul Majeed Khwaja, with encouragement from Mahatma Gandhi.
Jamia faced financial difficulties, political challenges, and the loss of key supporters, especially after the end of the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Khilafat Movement.
- The 'Second Trio' refers to Dr. Zakir Husain, Dr. Abid Husain, and Dr. Mohammad Mujeeb, who revitalized Jamia in 1925 by bringing their expertise and commitment, introducing innovative educational programs.
The foundation stone laid in Okhla marked the beginning of Jamia's new campus in Delhi, which became the main site for its educational activities.
Jamia Millia Islamia was registered as a society on 4 June 1939.
Idara-i-Taleem-o-Taraqqi was an institution that emerged from the popular evening classes for adult education introduced by Jamia in 1938.
Dr. Zakir Husain led Jamia Millia Islamia during its financial crises in the late 1920s and became its Vice-Chancellor in 1926.
Mahatma Gandhi provided moral and financial support to Jamia, encouraging its leaders and helping secure financial aid during its early crises.
The silver jubilee celebration highlighted the deep political divisions in India at the time, with prominent leaders from different political spectrums participating.
Jamia's campus remained unaffected by the partition riots, becoming an "oasis of peace" amidst the widespread communal violence.
International dignitaries like Marshal Tito, King Zahir Shah of Afghanistan, Crown Prince Faisal of Saudi Arabia, King Reza Shah Pehlavi of Iran, and Prince Mukarram Jah visited Jamia Millia Islamia.
Jamia Millia Islamia was declared a 'Deemed to be University' by the University Grants Commission in 1962.
Key developments include the establishment of various faculties, the introduction of new courses, and the creation of specialized centers like the AJK-Mass Communication Research Centre, Zakir Husain Institute of Islamic Studies, and the Academy of Third World Studies.
