A university born from a rejection of British colonial influence

Wars & Conflicts · Published 9 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 1920, students and teachers at Aligarh Muslim University sought a radical alternative. They wanted a national institution free from British administration, prioritizing Indian nationalism over colonial governance. This pursuit of educational independence laid the foundation for what would become one of India's premier research universities.

Jamia Millia Islamia was established on October 29, 1920, in Aligarh, United Provinces. The institution was founded by a group of nationalist leaders and students who were dissatisfied with the perceived pro-British administration of Aligarh Muslim University. Key figures in its founding included Mohammad Ali Jauhar, Hakim Ajmal Khan, Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari, and Abdul Majeed Khwaja.

The university was envisioned as a progressive national institution designed to foster a shared Indian culture across all communities, with a specific focus on the Muslim community. Mahatma Gandhi supported this vision, believing the university could shape students through a common worldview. His influence was so significant that he sent his youngest son, Devdas Gandhi, to teach Hindi at the institution.

The university's journey involved several major transitions. It moved from Aligarh to Karol Bagh, New Delhi, in 1925, and eventually to its current campus in Okhla in 1935. The campus's development included the laying of a school building's foundation stone in 1935 and the subsequent relocation of most institutions in 1936, with the exception of the Jamia Press, the Maktaba, and the library.

Over the decades, the university evolved from a nationalist educational movement into a major public research institution. It was granted deemed status by the University Grants Commission in 1962 and officially became a central university following an act of the Indian parliament passed on December 26, 1988. Today, it is a highly ranked institution, holding an 'A++' rating from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council as of December 2021.

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