Page:Twelve men of Bengal in the nineteenth century (1910).djvu/91

Rh in the pages of the Bengal Spectator, edited by the pupils of Derozio. At Krishnagar, the Maharaja Siris Chandra interested himself in the matter and discussed it with the pundits of Nadia while the ardent young reformers in the college held a meeting to express their sympathy with it and their dissatisfaction with other customs of Hindu Society. But the band of reformers was a small one and the upholders of the old regime were not inactive. They began by spreading a rumour that the college students had committed the offence which is unpardonable in the eyes of every orthodox Hindu. They accused them of having killed a cow and eaten its flesh. The rumour quickly gained credence among those who were only too anxious to believe evil of the new party and many families withdrew their sons from the college, while even the Maharaja himself hung back, reluctant to break completely with the pundits and the influential supporters of the old regime. So great was the influence brought to bear against him, and so well did the opposite party recognise the leading part played by Ramtanu. that the latter was forced to recognise that it would be not only for his own benefit but for the good of the cause which he had at heart that he should for a time at least leave Krishnagar. Accordingly in April 1851 he obtained a transfer to Burdwan, being appointed Head Master of the school there on a salary of one hundred and fifty rupees a month.