ABSTRACT
In Islamic countries even institutions of higher learning are known as madrasa. When Islam entered into India, multitudes converted to Islam and hence right from the earliest time there was need for madrasa institutions to teach religion and also to create ulama who in turn could teach and help others to perform prayers. Madrasas in India can be divided into three categories: Preliminary madrasas; Middle level madrasas; and Higher level madrasas. As regards contents of madrasa education, most of madrasas in India follow Dars-e-Nizami syllabus which was quite balanced and flexible in the eighteenth century. On community level few initiatives have been taken to upgrade the level of education, modernize them and improve the employment conditions of madrasa pass outs. Madrasa modernization has been a topic of hot discussion since colonial regime and particularly after 9/11 attack on America.
