DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.68024#0087
79
read. The Shureh Mullah is absolutely indispensable. Arithmetic, geometry, and algebra
should also be taught. A treatise on philosophy should be read for the purpose of learning
the meanings of the technical terms. I would suggest Hidayulut or Hikmutul Hudyai-Sac-
cedya. f cannot say that anything in addition to the above is necessary, but Government
knows what is necessary for a man to learn, in order to qualify for getting on in the world.
2nd September 1869.
MoULViE Atub RuhmAN.—I am an ex-student of the Mudrussah, and a native of Hooghly.
I joined the Anglo-Persian Department in 1859, and passed the Entrance examination in 1862.
I then joined the Arabic Department. Reading Arabic four hours and English two hours
daily, I gained a junior scholarship in the Arabic Department in 1864, and a senior scholarship
in 1867. I left the Mudrussah on the 1st June 1869, in order to take employment which I got
in the Registrar General's office, on R60 a month. I lived in the premises from 1863
to 1867. I passed the Entrance examination in the second class, and would have gone to the
Presidency College, but I had not the means. I had no knowledge of Arabic when I joined
the department. I wished to read English up to the standard of the First Arts examination,
but the arrangements of the College did not permit this; moreover, the College was not then
affiliated.
Moulvie Wahedudeen.—I am an ex-student of the Mudrussah, and a native of the 24-
Pergunnahs. I am a translator of the High Court, on R120 a month. I was brought
up in the Anglo-Persian Department, and passed the Entrance examination in 1862. I then
joined the College class in English for two hours daily, and the Arabic Department for four
hours. I kept this up for two years, as I could hold my junior Government scholarship of
R14 a month during this time. I was persuaded by Colonel Lees to remain at the Mud-
russah after passing the Entrance examination, or I should have gone to the Presidency College*
The object of Colonel Lees was, that 1 should acquire a good knowledge of Arabic simulta-
neously with English. Theoretically the arrangement was good, but it proved to be impracti-
cable. An education in Arabic, it was thought, would give me influence among my co-religion-
ists. I would recommend that English be taught in the Arabic Department, that the Anglo-
Persian Department be improved, and extended by opening an Anglo-Arabic class, as a College
department educating up to the standard of the higher University examinations. I would lay
much stress in the acquisition of a sound knowledge of Arabic grammar. If that were done,
the present standards of the University in Arabic might be sufficient. Every educated man
should know Bengali, and it should be compulsory on all students to learn it. I myself felt
the want of a knowledge of Bengali, and I have had to perfect my knowledge of it subse-
quently. I think Persian should be taught in the junior classes of the Arabic Department*
From my own experience of two years in the Arabic Department, I know that the instruction
in Arabic grammar is most insufficient. Until there is an improvement in this branch there
cannot be great progress in the higher classes. At present the knowledge of Arabic acquired
in this department is looked on with but scant respect by Muhammadans generally. I think
that standard works in Muhammadan law, such as the Hedaya, should be read, as also a higher
course of literature.
Moulvie Abbas Ali Kuan, Vice-President of the Mahomedan Literary Society.—I am
a native of Patna and a Vakeel of the High Court. I don't know English. I have one son
in the Anglo-Persian Department, and I wish to give him a good English education. Besides
the little Arabic he will learn there, he will have private instruction at home. I have no
intention of sending him to the Arabic Department. The times have changed, and English
is now absolutely essential. An elder son of mine had an English education, but he died before
passing the Entrance examination. The present course of Arabic in the Mudrussah is very
imperfect. There ought to be more classes, a higher standard of class books, and a more efficient
staff of teachers. I am an old man, or I would now even try to learn English. I have felt severely
my ignorance of it. I would teach English in the Arabic Department. A mere knowledge
of Arabic is of no advantage, and will not enable a man to gain a livelihood. A know-
ledge of Bengali is also essential. Mussulmen are generally dissatisfied with the existing
arrangements in this Mudrussah. If the institution were improved, I believe many Muham-
madans from the province of Behar would come down here. Although there is a Government
College at Patna, yet we Muhammadans should much prefer a special institution like this.
I am strongly of opinion that the Arabic Department should be kept up and improved. 1
attended a meeting last night of the Mahomedan Literary Society, at which various modes
of improving the Mudrussah were discussed; and I concur generally in the conclusions arrived
at by the meeting, and I believe these will be communicated to the Committee by the President
of the Society.
read. The Shureh Mullah is absolutely indispensable. Arithmetic, geometry, and algebra
should also be taught. A treatise on philosophy should be read for the purpose of learning
the meanings of the technical terms. I would suggest Hidayulut or Hikmutul Hudyai-Sac-
cedya. f cannot say that anything in addition to the above is necessary, but Government
knows what is necessary for a man to learn, in order to qualify for getting on in the world.
2nd September 1869.
MoULViE Atub RuhmAN.—I am an ex-student of the Mudrussah, and a native of Hooghly.
I joined the Anglo-Persian Department in 1859, and passed the Entrance examination in 1862.
I then joined the Arabic Department. Reading Arabic four hours and English two hours
daily, I gained a junior scholarship in the Arabic Department in 1864, and a senior scholarship
in 1867. I left the Mudrussah on the 1st June 1869, in order to take employment which I got
in the Registrar General's office, on R60 a month. I lived in the premises from 1863
to 1867. I passed the Entrance examination in the second class, and would have gone to the
Presidency College, but I had not the means. I had no knowledge of Arabic when I joined
the department. I wished to read English up to the standard of the First Arts examination,
but the arrangements of the College did not permit this; moreover, the College was not then
affiliated.
Moulvie Wahedudeen.—I am an ex-student of the Mudrussah, and a native of the 24-
Pergunnahs. I am a translator of the High Court, on R120 a month. I was brought
up in the Anglo-Persian Department, and passed the Entrance examination in 1862. I then
joined the College class in English for two hours daily, and the Arabic Department for four
hours. I kept this up for two years, as I could hold my junior Government scholarship of
R14 a month during this time. I was persuaded by Colonel Lees to remain at the Mud-
russah after passing the Entrance examination, or I should have gone to the Presidency College*
The object of Colonel Lees was, that 1 should acquire a good knowledge of Arabic simulta-
neously with English. Theoretically the arrangement was good, but it proved to be impracti-
cable. An education in Arabic, it was thought, would give me influence among my co-religion-
ists. I would recommend that English be taught in the Arabic Department, that the Anglo-
Persian Department be improved, and extended by opening an Anglo-Arabic class, as a College
department educating up to the standard of the higher University examinations. I would lay
much stress in the acquisition of a sound knowledge of Arabic grammar. If that were done,
the present standards of the University in Arabic might be sufficient. Every educated man
should know Bengali, and it should be compulsory on all students to learn it. I myself felt
the want of a knowledge of Bengali, and I have had to perfect my knowledge of it subse-
quently. I think Persian should be taught in the junior classes of the Arabic Department*
From my own experience of two years in the Arabic Department, I know that the instruction
in Arabic grammar is most insufficient. Until there is an improvement in this branch there
cannot be great progress in the higher classes. At present the knowledge of Arabic acquired
in this department is looked on with but scant respect by Muhammadans generally. I think
that standard works in Muhammadan law, such as the Hedaya, should be read, as also a higher
course of literature.
Moulvie Abbas Ali Kuan, Vice-President of the Mahomedan Literary Society.—I am
a native of Patna and a Vakeel of the High Court. I don't know English. I have one son
in the Anglo-Persian Department, and I wish to give him a good English education. Besides
the little Arabic he will learn there, he will have private instruction at home. I have no
intention of sending him to the Arabic Department. The times have changed, and English
is now absolutely essential. An elder son of mine had an English education, but he died before
passing the Entrance examination. The present course of Arabic in the Mudrussah is very
imperfect. There ought to be more classes, a higher standard of class books, and a more efficient
staff of teachers. I am an old man, or I would now even try to learn English. I have felt severely
my ignorance of it. I would teach English in the Arabic Department. A mere knowledge
of Arabic is of no advantage, and will not enable a man to gain a livelihood. A know-
ledge of Bengali is also essential. Mussulmen are generally dissatisfied with the existing
arrangements in this Mudrussah. If the institution were improved, I believe many Muham-
madans from the province of Behar would come down here. Although there is a Government
College at Patna, yet we Muhammadans should much prefer a special institution like this.
I am strongly of opinion that the Arabic Department should be kept up and improved. 1
attended a meeting last night of the Mahomedan Literary Society, at which various modes
of improving the Mudrussah were discussed; and I concur generally in the conclusions arrived
at by the meeting, and I believe these will be communicated to the Committee by the President
of the Society.