Ex-JNU professor and eminent sociologist Imtiaz Ahmed, known for work on caste, dies at 83

Ahmed’s areas of interest included social stratification, communalism and ethnic conflicts, social movements, Islamic transformations, refugees and migrants, child rights and child labour, poverty alleviation, and development and society.

ex Jawaharlal Nehru University professor death, Imtiaz Ahmed dies, died of lung infection, Ahmaed areas of interest, indian express

Besides his works on caste in Islam, Ahmed was known for his keen interest in social anthropology. (Express Photo)

Listen to this article

00:00

1x 1.5x 1.8x

Renowned sociologist, author and former professor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Imtiaz Ahmed, known for his works on caste in Islam, died Monday at the age of 83. He was under treatment at the AIIMS for lung infection.

Besides his works on caste in Islam, Ahmed was known for his keen interest in social anthropology. He taught sociology, political science and Islamic studies in various universities – both in India and abroad.

“He joined the centre for political studies at JNU in 1975 and I’ve had a long association with him. He was bright and a man of ideas. He was a thoughtful teacher and he would continue to talk to students even after his lectures. He welcomed students to his home,” said Zoya Hasan, a former professor at JNU.

“He has done some pioneering work on social stratification and caste among Muslims. He edited four volumes on caste and kinship. At the time when he published these books in the 1970s, there was this general assumption that Muslims are a monolithic community.

He broke new ground by pointing out the social differences among Muslims which were not very different from among Hindus. That, for its time, was a major breakthrough in the study of Indian Muslims,” she said.

Hasan further said, “Among his significant contributions was studying and discussing Islam in the Indian context and how it was influenced by history, society and culture in the country.”

Ahmed’s areas of interest included social stratification, communalism and ethnic conflicts, social movements, Islamic transformations, refugees and migrants, child rights and child labour, poverty alleviation, and development and society.

Born in 1940, Ahmed completed his graduation and post graduation from Lucknow University. He completed his research from University of Delhi and University of Chicago. Caste and Social Stratification among Muslims in India, published in 1973, is considered among his notable works.