Page:Adam's reports on vernacular education in Bengal and Behar, submitted to Government in 1835, 1836 and 1838.djvu/91

Rh Kumula-Kantu-Vidyalunkaru, of Arukoolee, six ditto.—Govindu-Turku-Punchanunu, of ditto, five ditto.—Peetamburu-Nyayu-Bhooshunu, of ditto, five ditto.—Parvutee-Turka-Bhooshunu, of T’hunt’-huniya, four ditto.—Kashee-Nathu-Turkalunkaru, of ditto, three ditto.—Ramu-Nathu-Vachusputee, of Shimila, nine ditto.—Ramu-Tunoo-Turku-Siddhantu, of Mulunga, six ditto.—Ramu-Tunoo-Vidya-Vageeshu, of Shobha-Bazar, five ditto.—Ramu-Koomaru-Turku-Punchanunu, of Veerupara, five ditto.—Kalee-Dasu-Vidya-Vageeshu, of Italee, five ditto.—Ramu-Dhunu-Turku-Vageeshu, of Shimila, five ditto.”

Hamilton states that in 1801 there were within the limits of the Twenty-four Pergunnahs, and as I suppose must be understood beyond the limits of the town of Calcutta, 190 seminaries in which Hindoo law, grammar, and metaphysics, were taught. These institutions are stated to have been maintained by the voluntary contributions of opulent Hindoos and the produce of charity lands, the total annual expense being Rupees 19,500. No details are given, but it may be inferred, although it is not expressly mentioned, that the statement rests on the authority of official documents. No cause has been in operation in the intermediate period to render it probable that the number of such seminaries within this district has since then been materially diminished. Mr. Ward mentions that at Juyunugur and Mujilee Pooru seventeen or eighteen similar schools were found, and at Andoolee ten or twelve, these villages, according to my information, being within the limits of the district; but it is probable that they are included in the more comprehensive enumeration mentioned by Hamilton.

I do not find any account on record of any private institutions for the promotion of Mahomedan learning either in Calcutta or in the surrounding district. Hamilton states that in 1801 there was one, and but one, madrasa or college for instruction in Mahomedan law, but he does not mention its particular locality, and it is not improbable that he refers to the institution endowed by, and now under the superintendence of the General Committee of Public Instruction. There can be no doubt, however, that in this as well as in other districts of Bengal in which we have no authentic account of the state of Mahomedan learning, that loose system of private tuition already described prevails to a greater or less extent.

One of the objects of the Calcutta School Society was to provide a body of qualified Native teachers and translators; and in pursuance of this object the Committee at first sent twenty boys, considered to be of promising abilities, to the Hindoo College to be educated at the Society’s charge; and subsequently ten others were added. There are thus always thirty scholars at the Hindoo College receiving an English education at the expense of the School Society; and the selection of pupils, to fill the vacancies