Page:Ramtanu Lahiri, Brahman and Reformer - A History of the Renaissance in Bengal.djvu/84

 The impediment removed, Ramtanu got his admission into the school, now known as the "Hare School.” A few words about Mr Hare seem necessary here. He was born in Scotland in 1775, and he came to India as a watchmaker in 1800. In course of time he became familiar with many Hindu gentlemen of rank and education, and Rammohan Roy was one of them. Mr Hare, though not highly educated himself, felt that for the real intellectual development of the natives of this country, it was absolutely necessary that they should have a liberal English education. He boldly set forth his views, not minding at all to what taunts and jeers he might be exposed. He sought out opportunities for promulgating his ideas. One day he attended of his own accord a meeting held by Rammohan Roy and his people, and had a talk with this great man, about giving the youth of this country a good education in English. The opinions of the others there present were taken; and it was at length decided that an English School for native students should be established in the centre of Calcutta. The then Chief Judge of the Supreme Court was informed of the project, and it was under his auspices that the Hindu College was founded. The Hindu School thus rose into existence. A committee was formed for its management; and Mr Hare belonged to it. He, with Dr H. H. Wilson to guide him, exerted himself greatly to give the institution the desired prestige.

The Hindu College was opened on 20th January 1817. In that year, too, the School Book Society was started by Hare’s exertions and under the patronage of some of the leading European and Indian gentlemen of the time. The Society undertook to prepare and publish good school books; and Rammohan Roy, with the assistance of his friend, Mr Hare, compiled suitable English and Bengali