Interview with Mohammad Amin, November 5, 2009

Interview Summary

This interview with history professor Mohammad Amin begins with a discussion on the manner in which he obtained employment at University of Delhi. It then moves to his background, including place of birth and family information. He then talks about the secular and religious education he received. Amin then talks briefly about his hobbies of hunting and shooting before launching into discourse on Indian history, including topics such as the Mongolian invasion and India's occupation by Great Britain. Next, Amin discusses left-leaning student organizations at Aligarh Muslim University. He then talks about the main political groups on campus. Amin talks about his family members who also attended Aligarh Muslim University, such as his wife and brother. He then gives more details about his brother?s life, such as his decision to migrate to Pakistan. Amin also talks about the political leaders who visited Aligarh Muslim University. After briefly discussing vice-chancellor Ziauddin Ahmad's failed attempt to start a medical college at Aligarh Muslim University, he moves back to the topic of Great Britain's occupation of India and the repercussions of British rule on the Muslims in India, as well as agriculture. Amin talks about the fear that Aligarh (India) would be attacked after the partition of India. He then talks about the conflict between India and Pakistan and how alumni of Aligarh Muslim University are given a unique perspective about this conflict. Finally, Amin discusses his decision not to migrate to Pakistan, as well as the role that Islam played in his personal identity.

Interview Keyword

Aligarh Muslim University Pakistan India Professors History Historians

Interview LC Subject

Pakistan--History India--History India--History--Partition, 1947 Historians Professors Aligarh Muslim University Pakistan India

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Interview Usage

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