In 1893, during the annual congregation of the Madrasa Faiz-e-Aam in
Kanpur, a group of Muslim scholars unanimously formed a council, Nadwatul Ulama, and agreed to schedule its first meet the upcoming year. This congregation was attended by
Mahmud Hasan Deobandi,
Ashraf Ali Thanwi,
Khalil Ahmad Saharanpuri,
Muhammad Ali Mungeri,
Sanaullah Amritsari, Fakhrul Hasan Gangohi, Aḥmad Ḥasan Kanpuri and others. The motive behind the formation of this council was "to reform the prevalent educational system and to eliminate the differences among Muslim groups on different religious issues." Muhammad Ali Mungeri, who was appointed its first manager, is thought to be the prime founder. The first general congregation of the council of Nadwatul Ulama took place between 22 and 24 April 1894 in the Madrasa Faiz-e-Aam, attended by scholars from diverse backgrounds including
Shia,
Ahl-i Hadith,
Deoband, and
Aligarh movements, as well as independents.
Ahmed Raza Khan, later the founder of the
Barelvi school, also participated but subsequently formed a rival group named Jadwah in opposition.
Muhammad Ali Mungeri gave the idea of starting a
Darul Uloom under the umbrella of Nadwatul Ulama and presented its draft on 12
Muharram 1313 AH as the "Musawwada-e Darul Uloom". This draft was approved on 11 April 1896 in the third general meet of Nadwatul Ulama in
Bareilly. The Darul Uloom established under the Nadwatul Ulama is the
Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama. ==Construction of Darul Uloom==