DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.68024#0110
102
essential cause of their bearing away the palm at that time was the systematic and select course
which the students then studied, such as in the junior classes—Fusul Akbary and Shafiyah in
etymology; Kafiyah and Shareh Mulla in syntax; Shareh Vikayah and Ashleah inlaw;
Dayirulusul and Mural Anwar, in principles of law; Mizan Mantiok, Tahzeeb Shareh, Tahzeeb,
Kutbi, Mir, &c., in logic ; Mukhtasaral Maani and Mutuwal in rhetoric ; Maileuzy and Sadra
in metaphysics ;—all the books being taught from beginning to end: and in the first class the
whole of Touzeeh, Talvih, Hidayah, Mirazabed, Kazi Mobarak, Sallamul-Ulum, Musallamas
Sabut, Shareh Chigmany and Shams Bazigah, and in Hadis Taseerulusul and in Tafsir, Tafsir-
i-Baizawi. At that time they little thought of studying the English, which, with the gradual
depreciation of Arabic and Persian, has assumed such an aspect of gravity and importance at the
present day, that many Mahomedans, on account of their ignorance with it, have fallen into
insignificance and disrespect. Now, as the English language has arrived at its highest pitch
in this country, and as all the transactions are also carried on in the same, the Mahomedans in
general, and the students of the Mudrussah in particular, are bound to devote a part of their time
to the acquirement of the same, and to attain such efficiency in it as might render them quali-
fied for the discharge of business in the said language. For the better carrying out of the
plan, it would be advisable to introduce English to a sufficient degree in the Arabic classes
from the very beginning, and not to grant the students certificates bearing testimony to their
attainments until they acquire proficiency in the above language. This would certainly render
them competent to hold and manage Government posts with due credit and ability, and also
initiate them to the creeds and provisions of their religion ; and would, in short, prove beneficial
and advantageous to the emulation and aggrandize ment of the Mahomedans in general. In
my opinion it is advisable to introduce in the lower classes the study of Kafiyah, Shafiyah, Shareh
Mullah, Shareh Vikayah, and of concise treatises on logic, arithmetic, and other necessary
branches of learning ; and in the first class that of Hidayah, Muktasaral Maani, Sallam and
Musallam. The Jami-oor-ramooz, which is a very easy book, should be discontinued, and the
study of literature should be continued as at present. I trust that if, on their obtaining testi-
monials of Arabic, Persian, and English, prospect of some particular post be held out to the stu-
dents, there would very soon appear a set of learned Mahomedans who have successfully un-
dergone the ordeal of test and rendered themselves worth being favored with the same.
Trusting that the Commissioners would pay due attention and consideration to the above
lines.
Syud Serajooddeen Ahmud,
Zemindar and Executor of the Will made for
Jalaliah Mudrussah in Behar.
The 22nd September 1869.
[Translation prom Persian.]
The following paragraphs are submitted with reference to the enquiry into the education of Maho-
medan boys, towards which attention has been bestowed by Government.
1. Of the different descriptions of aristocracy, there are three which deserve to be consi-
dered in this place : 1st—aristocracy of birth and blood, which is sufficiently distinctive ; 2ndly
—aristocracy of learning, which is acquired by the acquisition of learning ; Srdly—aristocracy
of wealth, which is gained through the agency of learning, though some men may have ob-
tained it without such agency; but that is merely an affair of chance.
2. The acquisition of the Bengali and the Urdu languages is not very difficult; they can
be learnt even by simple association and companionship. But to know and learn Persian so
much as is needed, and to attain to a perfect mastery of the Arabic and English, are indispen-
sably necessary. By a “ perfect mastery” is not meant the acquisition of a simple familiarity
with those languages. It is rather the attainment of a full and minute erudition, so that the
possessor of the same may never feel himself deficient in any respect on any occasion whatever.
Just as the students, undoubtedly, enjoy the advantages of the acquisition of such a learning,
similarly these advantages are also enjoyed by Government. It is evident that it is creditable,
and, at times of need, useful to Government to educate and enlighten its subjects in the differ-
ent branches of learning. For instance, if any of the kings write a letter in Arabic to the Go-
vernment of India, and its Indian subjects be unable to understand its contents, and to com-
pose a proper answer to it, it will be highly derogatory to the dignity of Government. Simi-
larly, if any book written in the Arabic language appear fit for translation, and the Government
may wish to have it translated, the object of Government cannot be attained except through
the aid of an Arabic scholar. In the same way, other necessities may likewise come to pass.
3. In the opinion of some it is against the religious principles of the British Government
to impart a religious training to Mahomedan boys according to their own faith in Islam. I
beg leave to point out that, under the sway of the British, there are people of different religion
essential cause of their bearing away the palm at that time was the systematic and select course
which the students then studied, such as in the junior classes—Fusul Akbary and Shafiyah in
etymology; Kafiyah and Shareh Mulla in syntax; Shareh Vikayah and Ashleah inlaw;
Dayirulusul and Mural Anwar, in principles of law; Mizan Mantiok, Tahzeeb Shareh, Tahzeeb,
Kutbi, Mir, &c., in logic ; Mukhtasaral Maani and Mutuwal in rhetoric ; Maileuzy and Sadra
in metaphysics ;—all the books being taught from beginning to end: and in the first class the
whole of Touzeeh, Talvih, Hidayah, Mirazabed, Kazi Mobarak, Sallamul-Ulum, Musallamas
Sabut, Shareh Chigmany and Shams Bazigah, and in Hadis Taseerulusul and in Tafsir, Tafsir-
i-Baizawi. At that time they little thought of studying the English, which, with the gradual
depreciation of Arabic and Persian, has assumed such an aspect of gravity and importance at the
present day, that many Mahomedans, on account of their ignorance with it, have fallen into
insignificance and disrespect. Now, as the English language has arrived at its highest pitch
in this country, and as all the transactions are also carried on in the same, the Mahomedans in
general, and the students of the Mudrussah in particular, are bound to devote a part of their time
to the acquirement of the same, and to attain such efficiency in it as might render them quali-
fied for the discharge of business in the said language. For the better carrying out of the
plan, it would be advisable to introduce English to a sufficient degree in the Arabic classes
from the very beginning, and not to grant the students certificates bearing testimony to their
attainments until they acquire proficiency in the above language. This would certainly render
them competent to hold and manage Government posts with due credit and ability, and also
initiate them to the creeds and provisions of their religion ; and would, in short, prove beneficial
and advantageous to the emulation and aggrandize ment of the Mahomedans in general. In
my opinion it is advisable to introduce in the lower classes the study of Kafiyah, Shafiyah, Shareh
Mullah, Shareh Vikayah, and of concise treatises on logic, arithmetic, and other necessary
branches of learning ; and in the first class that of Hidayah, Muktasaral Maani, Sallam and
Musallam. The Jami-oor-ramooz, which is a very easy book, should be discontinued, and the
study of literature should be continued as at present. I trust that if, on their obtaining testi-
monials of Arabic, Persian, and English, prospect of some particular post be held out to the stu-
dents, there would very soon appear a set of learned Mahomedans who have successfully un-
dergone the ordeal of test and rendered themselves worth being favored with the same.
Trusting that the Commissioners would pay due attention and consideration to the above
lines.
Syud Serajooddeen Ahmud,
Zemindar and Executor of the Will made for
Jalaliah Mudrussah in Behar.
The 22nd September 1869.
[Translation prom Persian.]
The following paragraphs are submitted with reference to the enquiry into the education of Maho-
medan boys, towards which attention has been bestowed by Government.
1. Of the different descriptions of aristocracy, there are three which deserve to be consi-
dered in this place : 1st—aristocracy of birth and blood, which is sufficiently distinctive ; 2ndly
—aristocracy of learning, which is acquired by the acquisition of learning ; Srdly—aristocracy
of wealth, which is gained through the agency of learning, though some men may have ob-
tained it without such agency; but that is merely an affair of chance.
2. The acquisition of the Bengali and the Urdu languages is not very difficult; they can
be learnt even by simple association and companionship. But to know and learn Persian so
much as is needed, and to attain to a perfect mastery of the Arabic and English, are indispen-
sably necessary. By a “ perfect mastery” is not meant the acquisition of a simple familiarity
with those languages. It is rather the attainment of a full and minute erudition, so that the
possessor of the same may never feel himself deficient in any respect on any occasion whatever.
Just as the students, undoubtedly, enjoy the advantages of the acquisition of such a learning,
similarly these advantages are also enjoyed by Government. It is evident that it is creditable,
and, at times of need, useful to Government to educate and enlighten its subjects in the differ-
ent branches of learning. For instance, if any of the kings write a letter in Arabic to the Go-
vernment of India, and its Indian subjects be unable to understand its contents, and to com-
pose a proper answer to it, it will be highly derogatory to the dignity of Government. Simi-
larly, if any book written in the Arabic language appear fit for translation, and the Government
may wish to have it translated, the object of Government cannot be attained except through
the aid of an Arabic scholar. In the same way, other necessities may likewise come to pass.
3. In the opinion of some it is against the religious principles of the British Government
to impart a religious training to Mahomedan boys according to their own faith in Islam. I
beg leave to point out that, under the sway of the British, there are people of different religion