Page:Twelve men of Bengal in the nineteenth century (1910).djvu/150

128 community of Calcutta had also its colleges for high English education: but the Muhammadan community had none." With the object of supplying that want Government had founded the Presidency College, which should give the advantages of an English education to all creeds and classes alike. Another service that he rendered to the community was to call public attention to the administration of the Mohsin Fund. He pointed out that, from a Fund founded by a Muhammadan primarily for Muhammadons, his co-religionists were not deriving the advantages which were their due in comparison with the Hindus who were benefiting from it to a far greater extent. Government, recognizing the justice of the claim, introduced changes into the administration of the Fund for the benefit of Muhammadans, setting aside a large sum to assist poor Muhammadan students throughout Bengal by paying two-thirds of their school fees, thus conferring an immense boon upon a poor community.

The first Agricultural Show organised in India was held at Alipore in the cold weather of 1863. In these days when such shows are of frequent and common occurrence all over India and their utility is generally recognised, it is astonishing to read of the excitement which the first one aroused. No sooner had the intention of Government to hold such a show been announced than vague and absurd rumours became generally current among the