Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was a great Muslim educationist and social reformer of his times. He was in favour of liberal education and advocated the introduction of western learning besides traditional Islamic studies. He laid emphasis on principle of enquiry and favoured scientific and rational attitude. In 1864, he founded a scientific society and in 1870, he launched Tahzib-al-akhlaqan Urdu journal. The Mohammadan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh (later, the Aligarh Muslim University) owes its origin to him. Sir Syed also founded the ‘Aligarh Movement’. He championed the rights of Muslims and objected to participation of Muslims in the activities of the Indian National Congress.