Section A Answer the following question. This question is about Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. Study the sources (Insert) carefully and then answer the questions which follow.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2025). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] he believed that 'western education was the key to Indian Muslims getting on in society'
2. [1] he believed that without such an education Indian Muslims would be left behind
3. [1] he believed that without western education jobs/careers in government (1) and the civil service (1) would not be available
4. [1] he believed that without western education high-ranking/highly paid posts would not be available
5. [1] Sir Syed feared the loss of Muslim identity (1) and a happy, comfortable life/life of luxury (1)
6. Level 3 (4-5 marks) Supported valid inference(s)
7. one valid inference supported by a surface feature from source B [4]
8. additional valid inference(s) supported by surface feature(s) from source B or one valid inference supported by a surface feature from source B and contextual knowledge [5]
9. Level 2 (2-3 marks) Unsupported valid inference(s)
10. one unsupported valid inference [2]
11. additional unsupported valid inference(s) [3]
12. Level 1 (1 mark) Identifies a surface feature
13. Any correct surface feature taken from source B [1]
14. Level 0 (0 marks) No creditable response
15. Indicative content (Surface feature): the plaque shows where Sir Syed lived in London
16. Indicative content (Surface feature): it shows the dates when he lived there (1869–1870)
17. Indicative content (Surface feature): it shows the work he was involved in (reformer and scholar)
18. Indicative content (Surface feature): it shows which organisation put up the plaque
19. Indicative content (Surface feature): it shows the date he was born and the date he died
20. Indicative content (Valid unsupported inference): it is showing respect/acknowledgement of Sir Syed's work
21. Indicative content (Valid unsupported inference): it is showing the relationship Sir Syed had with the British was good
22. Indicative content (Valid unsupported inference): it is showing the historical importance of Sir Syed
23. Indicative content (Valid unsupported inference): it is honouring/remembering Sir Syed
24. Indicative content (Contextual knowledge): Sir Syed was investigating the British education system
25. Indicative content (Contextual knowledge): his work as a scholar improved relations between Muslims and the British after the War of Independence
26. Target: AO1, AO2
27. Mark according to the level of response descriptors in Table 1.
28. Indicative content: Muslims believed British education to be un-Islamic
29. Indicative content: British funding was withdrawn from Muslim schools
30. Indicative content: people in the subcontinent believed that their religions were under threat
31. Indicative content: Christian missionaries in schools were disliked
32. Indicative content: many people believed that they were under threat from conversion to Christianity
33. Indicative content: resentment against the British (as rulers)
34. Target: AO1, AO2
35. Level 5 (10 marks) Explains with evaluation/judgement
36. Explanation at the top of Level 4 with an evaluation/judgement supported by relevant and accurate contextual knowledge
37. Level 4 (7-9 marks) Explanation of both sides of the issue
38. one explanation of each side of the issue [7]
39. two explanations or one developed explanation of one-side of the issue and an explanation of the other side of the issue [8]
40. additional explanation(s) and/or developed explanation(s) from either side of the issue [9]
41. Supported by relevant and accurate contextual knowledge
42. Level 3 (4-6 marks) Explanation of one-side of the issue
43. one explanation [4]
44. two explanations or one developed explanation [5]
45. additional explanation(s) and/or developed explanation(s) [6]
46. Supported by relevant and accurate contextual knowledge
47. Level 2 (2-3 marks) Identification/ description of the issue
48. Identifies and/or describes the issue using relevant and accurate contextual knowledge (1 mark per identification/ description)
49. Level 1 (1 mark) General answer
50. Valid general comment lacking specific subject knowledge
51. Level 0 (0 marks) No creditable response
52. Indicative content (may agree that the Two-Nation Theory was the most significant of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's work): Sir Syed Ahmad Khan wanted the British to treat Muslim and Hindu groups separately
53. Indicative content (may agree that the Two-Nation Theory was the most significant of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's work): he believed that Muslim and Hindu communities were different
54. Indicative content (may agree that the Two-Nation Theory was the most significant of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's work): he was worried about Hindu groups dominating the Muslim community
55. Indicative content (counter-arguments might include: his contribution to education): he founded Aligarh College
56. Indicative content (counter-arguments might include: his contribution to education): he founded the scientific society at Ghazipur in 1863
57. Indicative content (counter-arguments might include: his contribution to education): he opened a school in Ghazipur in 1864
58. Indicative content (counter-arguments might include: his contribution to education): he travelled to England to study the university system
59. Indicative content (changing relations with the British): he wrote an essay on the causes of the Indian Revolt in 1857 and 'The Loyal Muhammadans of India' aimed at the British
60. Indicative content (changing relations with the British): he wrote Tabyin-ul-Kalam to point out the similarities between Islam and Christianity