After the revolt of 1857, Indian Muslims lost the privileges they had enjoyed for a long time. Their role in the revolt meant that Muslim losses in terms of power and privileges were greater than those suffered by other communities. Unlike the Hindus, they began to feel increasingly distanced from the mainstream, and could not come to terms with their continuously deteriorating condition. Holding the British responsible for their miseries, an alienation of sorts from the Western way of life set in, to the extent that even English education was considered profane. Maulvi Nazir revealed his father's hostility towards English education thus: ‘He would rather see me die than learn English’. Men sought to safeguard their religion, culture and caste by confining their females within their homes. As a result, they began lagging behind in the race for progress.

The uprising of 1857 seemed to have awakened Muslims from a long slumber. Fortunately, they found an outspoken leader in Sir Saiyid Ahmed Khan (1817–98), who was born in a leading Saiyid family of Delhi, and whose ancestors had served the Mughal court for generations. Sir Saiyid was the first Muslim to question every aspect of life in Muslim society, and highlight how their ignorance was leading to the deteriorating condition.