Page:Adam's reports on vernacular education in Bengal and Behar, submitted to Government in 1835, 1836 and 1838.djvu/230

170 Compared with the preceding districts there is a much larger number of scholars, and all the castes, both high and low, partake of the increase. There are some low castes also which here appear for the first time as the Tior, Garar, and Mal castes. The number of scholars of low caste is so considerable that, without explanation, it might be supposed that they were chiefly found in the Missionary schools which are more numerous in this district than in any other I have visited, and which, of course, do not recognize distinctions of caste. The fact, however, is otherwise, for the number of scholars belonging to sixteen of the lowest castes amounts to 760, of whom only 86 are found in Missionary schools, and the remaining number in native schools. This fact appears to be of sufficient interest to be exhibited in detail.

It thus appears that the proportion of scholars of these low castes in Missionary schools is high; but the total number of the same castes in native schools is so considerable as to prove that other and independent causes are in operation, stimulating the humbler classes of native society to the improvement of their condition and to the attainment of those advantages, hitherto for the most part denied to them, that arise from a knowledge of letters.

The following is the distribution of the scholars into the four established grades of instruction:—

In 13 schools Christian instruction is communicated, in one school commercial accounts only, in three schools agricultural accounts only, and in 186 schools both accounts are taught. In one school commercial accounts and written works, in two schools agricultural account and written works, and in 423 schools both descriptions of accounts and written works are taught.

Most of the written works mentioned as school books under the heads of Moorshedabad and Beerbhoom are also used in this district; and in addition the following works were found in various schools, viz., the Ganga Bandana, describing the virtues of the river-goddess; the Yugadya Bandana, describing those of the goddess Durga; Data Karan, the generous Karna, illustrating the