“Kulliat-e-Maktubat-e-Sir Syed” in 6 Volumes Released
Aligarh : A collection of letters of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the great 19th-century Indian reformer and founder of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), compiled by Dr. Ata Khursheed, the Incharge of the Oriental Division at Maulana Azad Library, AMU, was released by Prof Nishat Fatima, the University Librarian.
The momentous occasion unfolded on the 206th birth anniversary of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, whose collection of letters “Kulliat-e-Maktubat-e-Sir Syed” in 6 volumes brings to light a treasure trove of knowledge, for scholars, historians, and enthusiasts of Sir Syed’s legacy.
Prof Nishat Fatima commended Dr Ata Khursheed’s work, by saying that these letters coming to light for the first time will open new vistas of research on Sir Syed and the Aligarh movement.
Dr Ata Khursheed highlighted the magnitude of Sir Syed’s correspondence. “In his 80-year life, Sir Syed wrote and received thousands of letters, out of which 1750 are included in these volumes. Each letter is meticulously sourced, providing scholars with a wealth of historical context. The earliest available letter from Sir Syed dates back to September 7, 1847, while the last is on March 11, 1898”, he said.
“Kulliat-i-Muktubat-e-Sir Syed” is a monumental work that comprises four volumes dedicated to Urdu and Persian letters and two volumes exclusively containing English letters.
Dr Khursheed’s journey to “Kulliat-e-Maktubat-e-Sir Syed” began with his 2019 bibliography, “Sir Syed Ahmad Khan: A Comprehensive Bibliography.” Prior to this, it was widely believed that the last known letter by Sir Syed was found in Ismail Panipati’s “Letters of Sir Syed.” Dr Khursheed’s bibliography, however, revealed previously undisclosed letters, prompting the meticulous collection and categorization into six volumes, encompassing more than 2,800 pages.
Dr Ata Khursheed also has to his credit “Kulliat-e Khutbat-e Sir Syed” (Complete Lectures of Sir Syed) in three volumes.