Page:Twelve men of Bengal in the nineteenth century (1910).djvu/57

Rh set out so many years before. Here in this seat of learning, it seems, he determined to settle down to spend his declining years. But fate willed otherwise.

During his long absence there had been great changes in his old home at Hooghly. His sister Manu Jan Khanum had married her cousin Mirza Salahuddin Mahomed Khan, nephew of Agha Motaher, whom he had followed from Persia. The marriage was an extremely happy one, Mirza Salahuddin devoting himself to the management of his wife's large estates and entering with her into all her plans for their improvement and the welfare of all those connected with them. In Hooghly itself where Manu Jan Khanum had been known from childhood, they were universally respected and beloved. The Imambara that her father had commenced, she and her husband made their special care, adding to and completing what he had begun, while close by, for the benefit of those who came to worship, Mirza Salahuddin established a hât which is still known by his name.

Their short spell of married happiness, however, was brought to a sudden close by Mirza Salahuddin's untimely death, while still in the prime of life. His loss was a great blow to Manu Jan Khanum who had learned to rely upon him in conducting the business of her estates. Though there were not wanting many who aspired to fill his place, she remained faithful to his memory keeping the control of her