History of Alia Madrasah British Period The end of the eighteenth century marked a general decadence in the Muslim community of the Indian Subcontinent and the forces of decay andretrogression were all pervading. Both politically and religiously the Muslims layhopelessly prostrate. This unfortunate state of affairs constrained the contemporary Muslim thinkers to feel theneed for serious efforts to bring about a thorough rejuvenation in every sphere oflife especially in the field of education. A deputation of respectable Muslims of Kolkata met Lord Warren Hastings, the Governor General of India with an appealto start an educational institution with a view to imparting religious education to the Muslims of Bengal. Accordingly, AliaMadrasah was founded in October 1780 (Saban 1194). It was started in a rented building at Baitakkhana near Shialdah with only 40 students. Mullah Majduddin,a renowned scholar of Arabic was appointed the first preceptor (Professor). In British India Alia Madrasah was the first educational institution established bythe government. This institution was mainly established with a view to educate the children of the elite classes of Muslim families to enable them to enter into govt. services. In a few years modern subjects like Astronomy, Law, Mathematics, Philosophy, Natural Philosophy, Theology, and Rhetoric were incorporated into the curricula of Alia Madrasah. Up to 1820 there were no examination systems in the Pak-Indo subcontinent. In 1821 the executive committee of the Madrasah introduced general annual examination system. In 1826 English subject was introduced in Madrasah. In 1907 all the existing classes of the Madrasah were standardized and full fledged Hadith courses were opened. The Revolt of 1857, in which the Muslims largely participated, set up doubts in the minds of the British rulers about the allegiance of the Muslims to the British rule, and the government opted to stop allocating funds for Alia Madrasah. This was a testing time for the Madrasah. But before long the institution regained its trustworthiness in the eyes of the British rulers. Several commissions were formed that suggestedvarious reform measures for the improvement of education in the Madrasah. Alia Madrasah from Kolkata to Dhaka Alia Madrasah again encountered seriousproblems during the partition of India in 1947. In keeping with the decision of the separation council, Alia Madrasah with all its books and manuscripts, assets and estates were transferred to Dhaka, the new capital of East Pakistan, now the capital of Bangladesh, at the premises of the Islamic Intermediate College. A new specious site for the Madrasah and its hostel was selected at Bakhshibazar in Dhaka and for construction of suitable buildings a cost of Rs 3,30,000 was estimated, which was sanctioned by the then govt. of East Pakistan. The foundation stones of the new Madrasah building and its hostel were laid down bythe then Chief Minister of East Pakistan Mr. Ataur Rahman Khan on 11 March, 1958. The building of the Madrasah and its hostel were completed in 1960 and the Madrasah was shifted to its own buildingin 1961. A Brief Account of the Madrasah Hostel, Auditorium, and Mosque The Madrasah hostel is a magnificent three storied building to the eastern side of the Madrasah with an accommodationof 283 borders. A superintendent and an Asstt. Superintendent are engaged for overall supervision of the hostel affairs. To the southern side of this building there is a wide playground for the Madrasah students. There is a large auditorium on the ground floor of the academic building and a specious mosqueon the second floor of the same building. Library Madrasah-e-Alia, Dhaka is enriched witha renowned library with the richest and rarest collection of books. The Kolkata Madrasah library was established in 1820.When the Fort William College was dissolved, a large number of books belonging to the college were transferredto the possessions of Alia Madrasah library. The library was further enriched by 244 manuscripts and 460 printed booksdonated by the heirs of Maulana Mir Mohammed of Mangalkot Bardwan which are still preserved in a separate section called ‘Mangolkot Section.’ Researchers from home and abroad veryoften come to the library and consult the collections here. Computer Lab A modern computer lab equipped with 10computers and accessories provides training to the students on various office and application software free of cost to enable them to keep in touch with this modern technology. The lab is run under the supervision of an experienced teacher. Science Lab There are 4 well-equipped science labs for the Alim and Dakhil level students where they gain practical knowledge of various branches of science.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 07:04:11 +0000