What effect did the role of Muslim Reformers have on the subcontinent?

Muslim reformers had a profound impact on the subcontinent, particularly through efforts to modernize educational institutions like the madrasas. Historically, these schools were centers of learning excellence, influencing the development of European universities. However, over time, due to colonial impacts, they regressed to focus predominantly on rote Quranic memorization without understanding, making students susceptible to manipulation by militants. Recent reforms aimed to expand curricula to include physical and social sciences, human rights, and critical thinking, empowering local leaders to see it as their own project, inspired by historical Islamic achievements in arts and sciences 1.

Additionally, the broader Islamic Reformation since the colonial era has seen a shift in authority from traditional religious figures to individuals, allowing personal interpretations of the Quran. This decentralization has fostered diverse views, from peaceful and progressive to extremist stances, reflecting the complex outcomes of empowering wide literacy and accessibility to religious texts 2.