Born into Mughal nobility, Sir Syed earned a reputation as a distinguished scholar while working as a jurist for the British East India Company's rule in India. During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, he remained loyal to the British Empire and was noted for his actions in saving European lives.

After the rebellion, he penned the booklet 'The Causes of the Indian Mutiny' ??a daring critique, at the time, of British policies that he blamed for causing the revolt. Believing that the future of Muslims was threatened by the rigidity of their orthodox outlook, Sir Syed began promoting Western?tyle scientific education by founding modern schools and journals and organising Muslim entrepreneurs.

Towards this goal, Sir Syed founded the famous Aligarh Muslim University (AMU, earlier known as Anglo-Muhammadan Oriental College) in 1875 with the aim of promoting social, scientific, and economic development of Indian Muslims.