Maulvi Syed Zainul Abideen

Maulvi Syed Zainul Abideen

Father’s Name: Muhammad Hussain
Born on 14th June 1832 in Machli-Shahar Jaunpur (UP)
Died on 27th September 1905 in Aligarh


Maulvi Syed Zainul Abideen was born on 14th June 1832, in Machli-Shahar, Jaunpur in a Syed family of Syed Muhammad Hussain. His mother was a distant relative of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. After completing his primary education in hometown, he joined Sanskrit College Banaras and completed his graduation in Arabic. After graduation, he joined University of Calcutta and completed his Law degree with first division. He joined judicial services and retired as Sub-Judge from Ghazipur (UP).

Association with Sir Syed & Aligarh Movement

At the time when Sir Syed founded Scientific Society in Ghazipur, Maulvi Zainul Abideen was posted in Ghazipur and he whole heatedly supported Sir Syed’s vision and mission. He had a distant relation and a close association with Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and on his request moved to Aligarh and bought a house and fenced it with “Khaar-Daar Taar”, and hence remembered as Taar-Walaa Bangla. He donated the Bangla to MAO College in 1897. He supported Sir Syed at all time and specially when Sir Syed was in trouble due to financial mismanagement by College’s treasurer. He was so supportive to Sir Syed that Sir Syed used to announce his contributions for College development even without asking his permission and Maulvi Zainul Abideen never refused to comply Sir Syed’s announcement. Syed Zainul Abideen sold his ancestral properties of Machli-Shahar Jaunpur and part of it donated to College Funds. During the final moments of Sir Syed, he used to spend a lot of his time with Sir Syed.

Maulvi Syed Zainul Abideen died on 27th September 1905 and buried close to Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in University Jama Masjid.