Page:Twelve men of Bengal in the nineteenth century (1910).djvu/141

Rh Sir John Peter Grant in 1860. Even in these first few years of service Abdul Latif gained a reputation for energy and ability and above all for that broadmindedness and tact which so distinguished him in later life. It was for this reason that after a year at Kalaroa he was chosen for a post where ability and tact were especially needful. The subdivision of Jehanabad had long been a thorn in the side of the Bengal Government. It is constantly referred to as a 'litigious and turbulent place' and a particularly bad outbreak of lawlessness called special attention to it in the year 1854. Government, anxious to select a man well qualified for the difficult post of subdivisional officer, chose Abdul Latif. It was a compliment to the young officer, and, realising this, Abdul Latif went to take up his new appointment fully determined to justify his choice. The lawlessness of which a district so near Calcutta was capable sixty years ago reads surprisingly to-day. Rioting, highway robberies and dacoities were of the commonest occurrence and life and property were nowhere safe outside the immediate circle of Jehanabad itself. This state of affairs the young subdivisional officer set himself with energy and determination to redress. Not only, however, was he burdened with this heavy task, he was subjected to annoyance and obstruction on the part of those who should have been his chief supporters. "The life of the subdivisional officer" it