Page:Vidyasagar, the Great Indian Educationist and Philanthropist.djvu/101

 Legislative Council for the alienation of Devatra (or Hindu religious endowment) property. The Board of Revenue sought the opinion of Vidyasagar on the head. He argued with great cogency that the general practice of the country as well as the spirit of the Hindu Law were against the proposed legislation. His sound and elaborate defence of the existing system convinced the rulers who suffered the bill to drop.

Towards the middle of the year Raja Pratap Chandra Singha of Paikpara, one of the principal supporters of girl-schools established by Vidyasagar, fell severely ill at Kandi (Murshidabad), his ancestral home. Vidyasagar hurried up to that place with Dr. Mohendra Lal Sarkar. THe patient was removed to Paikpara where he expired on July 19. Vidyasagar was overwhelmed with sorrow, for he loved the Raja very dearly. On his demise the condition of the estate was deplorable. It was going to be put up to auction for arrears of land revenue.