DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.68024#0056
48
object is to attract Mahomedan boys of good parentage to tbe institution, but nothing could
have a worse effect than the admission of the sons of tradesmen, petty shop-keepers, &c., &c.
For sucli the branch school is specially intended, and will, it is hoped, in future afford an
excellent education.
197. The branch school calls for few further remarks. All that is wanted we have
already indicated in paragraph 165. We would, however, suggest that the general supervision
and control be vested in the head master of the Anglo-Persian department of the Madrassah,
and that the distribution of prizes take place at the same time as at the actual Madrassah, the
examination being conducted as in the Anglo-Persian department.
198. We have only further to state that we have the best reason for believing that our
views, generally, are in consonance with those of the Mahomedan community, whose interests
it is the object of Government to promote, and that the changes above indicated, while costing
Government nothing, would be received as a very great boon, and be very highly appreciated,
and would, in our opinion, in a very short time, raise the Calcutta Madrassah to the very first
rank among the educational institutions of the country.
199. Of course it will not be possible at once to carry out in their integrity all the
changes we advocate, but we feel sure that the Educational authorities would find no difficulty
in gradually and rapidly effecting them, and in arranging all petty matters of detail, which it
is not in our province further to meddle with. At the same time, we need hardly say that we
should be most ready to co-operate with these authorities in any way in our power, and to do
all we can to promote the harmonious working of the institution on its new basis. We are
confident, too, that much valuable support would be obtained from the Committee of Visitors
we have proposed-,
200. We regret the length to which this report has extended, but the points raised by you
were very numerous. We trust it will explain clearly to the Lieutenant-Governor the present
state of affairs, and the remedies in our opinion necessary to make the Madrassah of real use
to the Mahomedan community.
201. We further trust the Lieutenant-Governor will see that, anxious as we were that no
time should be lost, our report could not be submitted at an earlier date. The work had to be
done at such odd hours as would not encroach on our own regular laborious avocations. Many
people had to be heard, much information to be gained, and many matters to be considered.
202. Though the subject is not within the scope of our instructions, we think it right to
bring to the notice of Government that from all we hear we believe the Hooghly Mad-
rassah, which is conducted in much the same way as the Calcutta Madrassah, though not
paid for by imperial funds, equally to stand in need of reform. There is also, we may mention,
a very deep and wide-spread feeling among Mahomedans that the fuigjs derived from Mohsin
Endowment at Hooghly might be much more advantageously expended in the interests of the
Mahomedan community than they are at present. As regards this subject, we have only at
present to say that, if the Government desire it, we shall be happy to make a further report,
after due enquiry, on the affairs of the Hooghly Madrassah. Indeed, we may say that any en-
quiry into Mahomedan education near Calcutta is incomplete, unless the state of the Hooghly
Madrassah be taken up at the same time.
203. We may also state, for the information of the Lieutenant-Governor, that the cause
of the backwardness of Mahomedan education in the interior is attributed by many intelligent
gentlemen, with whom we have communicated, to the want of Oordoo and Persian teachers at
zillah schools. The point is one on which we give no opinion, but it seems deserving of
attention.
204. In conclusion, we beg to record our sense of the courtesy with which we have been
treated in the course of our enquiries by Major St. George, the Officiating Principal, and by the
officers of the Madrassah generally.
CALCUTTA MUDRUSSAH.
5 th August 1839.
Major St. George, Officiating Principal.—I have officiated as Principal for fifteen months,
and the institution is carried on as before under Colonel Lees.
Examination as to the Arabic de- por admission to the Arabic department, a candidate must
partment. . , - 7
satisfy the Munshi by tbe production of a certificate that he
is of respectable parentage. The Munshi sends on the application to the Principal, but he is
supposed to be satisfied as to the respectability of the applicant for admission before forwarding
tbe application. The Munshi does not in any way attest the application by a written certifi-
cate. I then send it back to the head professor, who reports after examination as to the class
the candidate is fit for. I produce an application which will show exactly the procedure. A
register is kept of all admissions. I am not aware that any rules are laid down as to toe
object is to attract Mahomedan boys of good parentage to tbe institution, but nothing could
have a worse effect than the admission of the sons of tradesmen, petty shop-keepers, &c., &c.
For sucli the branch school is specially intended, and will, it is hoped, in future afford an
excellent education.
197. The branch school calls for few further remarks. All that is wanted we have
already indicated in paragraph 165. We would, however, suggest that the general supervision
and control be vested in the head master of the Anglo-Persian department of the Madrassah,
and that the distribution of prizes take place at the same time as at the actual Madrassah, the
examination being conducted as in the Anglo-Persian department.
198. We have only further to state that we have the best reason for believing that our
views, generally, are in consonance with those of the Mahomedan community, whose interests
it is the object of Government to promote, and that the changes above indicated, while costing
Government nothing, would be received as a very great boon, and be very highly appreciated,
and would, in our opinion, in a very short time, raise the Calcutta Madrassah to the very first
rank among the educational institutions of the country.
199. Of course it will not be possible at once to carry out in their integrity all the
changes we advocate, but we feel sure that the Educational authorities would find no difficulty
in gradually and rapidly effecting them, and in arranging all petty matters of detail, which it
is not in our province further to meddle with. At the same time, we need hardly say that we
should be most ready to co-operate with these authorities in any way in our power, and to do
all we can to promote the harmonious working of the institution on its new basis. We are
confident, too, that much valuable support would be obtained from the Committee of Visitors
we have proposed-,
200. We regret the length to which this report has extended, but the points raised by you
were very numerous. We trust it will explain clearly to the Lieutenant-Governor the present
state of affairs, and the remedies in our opinion necessary to make the Madrassah of real use
to the Mahomedan community.
201. We further trust the Lieutenant-Governor will see that, anxious as we were that no
time should be lost, our report could not be submitted at an earlier date. The work had to be
done at such odd hours as would not encroach on our own regular laborious avocations. Many
people had to be heard, much information to be gained, and many matters to be considered.
202. Though the subject is not within the scope of our instructions, we think it right to
bring to the notice of Government that from all we hear we believe the Hooghly Mad-
rassah, which is conducted in much the same way as the Calcutta Madrassah, though not
paid for by imperial funds, equally to stand in need of reform. There is also, we may mention,
a very deep and wide-spread feeling among Mahomedans that the fuigjs derived from Mohsin
Endowment at Hooghly might be much more advantageously expended in the interests of the
Mahomedan community than they are at present. As regards this subject, we have only at
present to say that, if the Government desire it, we shall be happy to make a further report,
after due enquiry, on the affairs of the Hooghly Madrassah. Indeed, we may say that any en-
quiry into Mahomedan education near Calcutta is incomplete, unless the state of the Hooghly
Madrassah be taken up at the same time.
203. We may also state, for the information of the Lieutenant-Governor, that the cause
of the backwardness of Mahomedan education in the interior is attributed by many intelligent
gentlemen, with whom we have communicated, to the want of Oordoo and Persian teachers at
zillah schools. The point is one on which we give no opinion, but it seems deserving of
attention.
204. In conclusion, we beg to record our sense of the courtesy with which we have been
treated in the course of our enquiries by Major St. George, the Officiating Principal, and by the
officers of the Madrassah generally.
CALCUTTA MUDRUSSAH.
5 th August 1839.
Major St. George, Officiating Principal.—I have officiated as Principal for fifteen months,
and the institution is carried on as before under Colonel Lees.
Examination as to the Arabic de- por admission to the Arabic department, a candidate must
partment. . , - 7
satisfy the Munshi by tbe production of a certificate that he
is of respectable parentage. The Munshi sends on the application to the Principal, but he is
supposed to be satisfied as to the respectability of the applicant for admission before forwarding
tbe application. The Munshi does not in any way attest the application by a written certifi-
cate. I then send it back to the head professor, who reports after examination as to the class
the candidate is fit for. I produce an application which will show exactly the procedure. A
register is kept of all admissions. I am not aware that any rules are laid down as to toe