JAMIA MILLIA ISLAMIA : A BRIEF HISTORY

The Jamia Millia Islamia was established in the wake of the Khilafat and Non-Cooperation Movements with the main object of exploring the method by which education could be made truly national. Distinguished national leaders as Mahatma Gandhi, Maulana Mohammad Ali, Hakim Ajmal Khan, Dr.Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari, Maulana Ability Kalam Azad and Dr.Zakir Husain were among its founders. Shaikhul-Hind Maulana Mahmud Hasan of Daryl 'Ulum Deoband, who had suffered much at the hands of the British imperialism in the Mediterranean Island of Malta, laid its foundation at Aligarh on 29th October 1920. Thus began a new venture in the field of national education.
The suspension of the Non-Cooperation and the collapse of the Khilafat Movement were a setback for the Jamia Millia Islamia. Some leaders who had been associated with its establishment hoped that the political movements would succeed and all universities, colleges and schools would become national; but that did not happen, and they felt better and disillusioned. Some declare that Jamia Millia Islamia head out left usefulness and should be closed down. students who had joined it with expectations of a political Revolution and brilliant prospects should I shifted to other universities. for many years Jamia degrees were not recognised by the ten commandment and which could not and ensure government jobs. The Jamia was the immersed in a number of difficulties. However,there was a group of students and teachers in the Jamia who wanted it to continue and grow. Doctor zakir Hussain was in Germany at that time. he had been the inspiring soul among the Muslim youth at Aligarh when the Jamia was established. As soon as he came to know that the trustees of the Jamia overthinking of closing it down, hi send a telegraphic message "I am some of my friends are prepared to devote our life to the service of Jamia; it should not be wound up till we return".

Hakim ajmal khan was moved by the sands of sacrifice on the part of these young men. Hi cancel that mahatma Gandhi and made him aware of the difficulties that the Jamia faced. Gandhiji's was shot to find this national institution in such a grave situation. However,he remarked: "Jamia was only now becoming useful. It should be continued has a living concern". He, therefore,assured Hakim ajmal khan that he was prepared to go from with a begging bowl to raise funds for the Jamia Millia Islamia. Hakim sahib, thus reinforced, brought the Jamia to Delhi in 1925,where it is gradually emerged  in its real character.
Dr zakir Hussain return to India along with his two friends doctor Syed Abid Hussain and professor Mohammad mujeeb and they put themselves with heart and soul in Jamia's work.Hakim Sahib took the responsibility of providing founds and it is unknown fact that he; till his last breath worked for the Jamia as a Massiah.
Thus, at the crucial moment when the elders had give up hope, the teachers of the Jamia came forward and in 1928 under the inspiring leadership of Dr zakir Hussain, resalt to from the anjumane Ta' Lim-e-mili whose members signed a pledge to serve the Jamia for the least 20 years on a salary of not more than rupees 150 per month.
In 1938, when basic education was introduced and basic schools and teaching training institutes opened, the Jamia started a training institute with a view to making experiments in basic education and training teachers for basic schools.the leaders for Jamia movement also apprehended that if proper steps were not taken at the right moment, the Muslims might lag behind in the race of basic education full. They also thought that being in the forefront of basic education with mean a positive check on giving it a particular cultural hue. The training college was, therefore, given utmost attention and it soon became prominent and teachers trained by it carried the educational and cultural ideals of the Jamia to schools all over the country. In 1952 of art education was established on an experimental basis to train in art teachers according to the modern methods and principles of education.

The formation of the interim Government at the centre in 1946 that the Jamia would have no worries in free India. But independence was followed by unprecedented violence and bloodshed. The country was partitioned. However Gandhiji's deep concern shared by pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the efforts of the central government and the courage and personality of Dr zakir Hussain safed the Jamia from extinction. It had hardly recovered from the stunning shock of the holocaust when Dr Zakir Hussain had to accept vice chancellor ship of the Aligarh university at the instance of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Zakir saheb was succeeded by professor Mohammad Mujeeb as Vice-Chancellor of the Jamia in November 1948.
The Government of India gradually increased its financial assistance, undertaking in 1954 to meet all the expenditure of the Jamia on a cover-the-deficit basis. In 1964 the university grants commission accorded it the status of a deemed university under section 3 of UGC act agreeing with the aims and objectives of the Jamia  enshrined in its Memorandum of Association. later in December 1988 the Jamia was elevated to the status of Central university through an act of Indian parliament.
The Jamia Millia Islamia has successfully discharged its cultural responsibilities and at the same time comma it has never lagged behind in contributing to the different spheres of national life. Through an institution founded mainly for the education of Muslims, it's don't have always been open to the followers of other religions far, from being an obstruction has been a means of promoting mutual understanding and corporate living. The Jamia through its profession and practice, has disseminated the ideas that Hindus Muslims sikhs and Christians all taken together, constitute the Indian nation and have the same rights and the same obligations.