AMU Minority Status: 10 Facts About University That Started As Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College In 1877

An SC ruling has paved the way for AMU to secure its minority status. The legal journey for AMU’s minority recognition has spanned decades. Here is a look at 10 key facts that define the legacy of AMU

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan founded the M.A.O. College in 1877, which eventually evolved into AMU in 1920.

Source : Wikimedia Commons

AMU Facts: A seven-judge Supreme Court bench gave its decision on Friday that could redefine the identity of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), as a 4:3 ruling overturned a 1967 judgment that had restricted institutions established by statute from attaining minority status. While a three-judge bench will ultimately determine whether AMU can officially be declared a minority institution, the decision is a milestone in the legal journey for AMU’s minority recognition that has spanned decades. 

Here is a look at 10 key facts that define the legacy of Aligarh Muslim University.

10 Facts About AMU 

1. AMU traces its roots to Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, a pioneering Muslim reformer, who in the 19th century recognised the importance of education in empowering the Muslim community in India. His vision was to integrate Muslims into public life and government services, according to the AMU website.

2. During his travels to England, Sir Syed drew inspiration from institutions like Oxford and Cambridge. He founded the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College in 1877, aiming to blend Islamic values with British educational principles. This college eventually evolved into AMU in 1920.

3. Since its inception, AMU has welcomed students from diverse religious, social, and cultural backgrounds. It continue to attract students from across India and abroad, including from Africa, West Asia, and Southeast Asia.

4. AMU offers over 300 courses across traditional and modern disciplines, from humanities and social sciences to cutting-edge technology and medicine. Its specialised institutes include the Zakir Hussain College of Engineering, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, and the Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit.

5. Located in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, AMU spans 467.6 hectares and is known for its residential character, with 19 halls of residence housing 80 hostels for its community of students and faculty.

6. AMU has been a progressive force for women’s education, establishing a school for girls in 1907. Today, it maintains numerous schools, including seven high schools and two senior secondary schools, serving students from primary to pre-university levels.

7. AMU has ranked among India’s top research institutions, currently placed eighth among the top 20 research universities in the country, according to the 2024 National Institutional Ranking Framework rankings. This is the best best performance of AMU since the rankings were instituted in 2016. On the overall list, AMU ranks 16, which is also its best so far.

8. AMU hosts over 37,327 students, supported by 1,686 faculty members and approximately 5,610 non-teaching staff, according to the university website. The varsity is organised into 13 faculties, encompassing 117 academic departments, three academies, and 21 specialised centres and institutes.

9. AMU has three study centres outside Aligarh — in Murshidabad, West Bengal; Malappuram, Kerala; and Kishanganj, Bihar. 

10. AMU’s General Education Centre organises activities through its various clubs, such as the Literary Club, Hindustani Music Club, and Hobbies Workshop. 

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