In India, the bulk of higher education is provided by its statutory universities established by both central and provincial/state legislation. There are 50 centrally controlled universities that are under the Indian constitutional and legal framework, in which Aligarh Muslim University is one such. This book is a comprehensive, yet critical study of the establishment and the evolution of the Aligarh Muslim University. The erstwhile Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College was assigned its status as university by central legislation in 1920 leading its establishment as a public institution. From its beginnings, the inclusion of the term ‘Muslim’ in its official name, and its distinct character as a ‘minority’ educational institution has been constantly evoked. Post-independence legislation has dispensed with all religious or communal reservations in the composition of its administration so that by statutes, Aligarh Muslim University is like any other secular university. In practice however, both its student body and teachers have largely remained Muslim, as its minority character has been largely maintained.

Aligarh Muslim University: A History is a study of both the university’s evolution and the current situation of the prominent institution. It, thus provides a critical appraisal of the Indian university system and higher education in India.