Sir Syed Ahmed and Veer Savarkar

Polar Opposites, Counter-strategic Thinkers

Abstract

The perspectives of both Hindu and Muslim leaders on ideologies and movements provide valuable insights into Indian politics during the British era. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan laid the groundwork for political Islam under colonial rule, while Vinayak Damodar Savarkar introduced the concept of "Hinduising politics." Historians often group them together as proponents of the Two-Nation Theory, which eventually led to India's partition. However, their distinct notions of "nation" and "nationalism" are seldom explored without bias. Despite differing timelines, both leaders significantly influenced the communal politics of India. Syed Ahmed and Savarkar held contrasting views not only on Hindu-Muslim issues but also on the freedom struggle and communal reservations. Each sought control over military power and succeeded in their campaigns. They both looked to external allies to advance their objectives and had unique visions for India's future post-British rule. Understanding communal politics is far from straightforward; it requires examining the ideologies, strategies and impacts of these leaders. Even today, echoes of the slogans from the colonial era can still be heard, underscoring the need to study these figures to grasp the roots of contemporary communal politics.