Page:Twelve men of Bengal in the nineteenth century (1910).djvu/274

242 accidently occurred during a display of fireworks and resulted in the entire destruction of the Imambara. This was the famous Imambara built by Siraj-ud-Dowlah at enormous cost in the heyday of his power, and though it had Been shorn of much of its glory in the hundred years that had elapsed, it was still a magnificent building. The present Imambara which was built to replace it cost sixty lacs and exceeds in size even the splendid Imambara at Hooghly, remaining the last architectural triumph of the Nawab Nazims of Bengal.

The future Nawab Bahadur spent his early days entirely at Murshidabad. From the first, however, his education was entrusted to English tutors and he was carefully trained for the important position in life that he was destined to occupy. He early showed a fondness for sport and all manly games, but these he never allowed to interfere with his studies which he pursued with great zest and application. Conscientious and painstaking he won the approbation of all his instructors. As he grew towards manhood the question of sending him to England to complete his education was long and seriously discussed. The voyage to Europe was not then the common occurrence among Indian Princes that it has since become, and the Nawab Nazim exhibited a natural reluctance to part for so long a period from his eldest son. Realising, however, what great advantages were likely to accrue to him from a European tour he at length consented. Not only would be he brought into touch with the Home Government and