DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.68024#0115
107
Although the former rulers of this country have now and then expressed in their speeches
their regret at the miserable condition of the Mahomedans, but they have never paid sufficient
attention to these matters so as to find out the cause of the lagging behind of us—the Maho-
medans. But our innumerable thanks are due to the Almighty God, that His Excellency the
Viceroy and Governor-General of India, and especially His Honor the present Lieutenant-
Governor of Bengal, have turned their attention towards the miserable condition of the
•Mahomedans, and have appointed a Commission for enquiring into the cause of our decay*
The gentlemen who have been appointed the members of the Commission of enquiry are also
so generous and just, and such appreciators and patrons of learning, that we entertain strong
hopes of success from their enquiry and judgment.
Although the said gentlemen are personally bestowing due attention and sufficient con-
sideration towards the reorganization of the affairs of the Mudrussah, yet, in compliance with
the orders of those honorable gentlemen, we beg to submit our humble opinions on the subject
of the organization of the Mudrussah, which is the source of our prosperity. Although the
Mudrussah has been founded for giving instruction in the higher sciences of the Arabic lan-
guage, and in this language a thorough education in religious subjects may be acquired, yet, as
education in those sciences and subjects of learning which are calculated to procure rank and
wealth is also very necessary, it appears to us that, with religious education in Arabic, instruc-
tion in subjects that are of use in procuring the means of livelihood should also be imparted in
the Urdu and English languages, as detailed below :—
Firstly.—In order to improve matters connected with the religion of the Mahomedans and
the future world, it is expedient that the students should, after completing their education in
etymology, syntax, rhetoric, and a little of logic in the Arabic language, be taught one or
two standard books on Mahomedan law, Mahomedan law of inheritance, theology (or articles
of faith), traditional sayings of the Prophet, and commentaries of the Koran.
Secondly.—In order to improve worldly matters tending to procure the means of subsist-
ence, education in the higher sciences, viz., natural philosophy, mathematics, metaphysics,
history, geography, moral philosophy, political economy, &e., which may suffice for attaining
the degrees of the University examinations, should be given by means of works translated
into Urdu from the English language. Although the English language has now-a-days
become the key to the treasury of various useful arts and exquisite sciences, yet their acquisi-
tion through the means of that language (which is quite foreign to the people of this country)
is difficult. If all the books of those sciences could be produced in the Urdu language, those
useful arts and exquisite sciences might be understood and acquired in a very short time,
and with the greatest ease, Although many books of both the higher and lower standards
have been translated and published, and for the translation of the rest the scientific societies
of Behar and Allygurhare trying their utmost, still, through the assistance of Government,
the translation of the remaining requisite books in the said sciences is not difficult. We hope,
from the liberality of Government, that attention may be bestowed on the translation of
the requisite books.
Thirdly.—It is exceedingly necessary that along with the above studies a complete instruc-
tion should be imparted in the English language.
Fourthly.—The glory of the Calcutta Mudrussah, since the time of its foundation, having
been acknowledged, in consequence of such of its students as have been successful in their
examinations and obtained diplomas being appointed to posts of honor and distinction, it
is proper that this Mudrussah should be raised to the rank of a university, for the pur-
pose of awarding academical titles to its students; with this proviso, that any one who
may be desirous of undergoing an examination in all those sciences which form the subjects of
examination in English in the Calcutta University should be permitted to do so either
in the Arabic, Urdu, or English language; and, in case of successfully passing the said
examination, should obtain the same advantages which are gained by the students of
English colleges who pass the University examination. If Government will be so kind
as to grant all these requests of the Mahomedans, they will as it were become quite
regenerated. The result of such a sort of education will not only tend to the preserva-
tion of the religion and manners of the Mahomedans, and to their success in obtaining
worldly wealth and honor, but a grand object of Government {viz., the general improvement
of morality and civilization in a particular class of Mahomedans) will be accomplished by it.
Although every sort of education has much to do with the formation of morals, yet the same
is of two sorts—one unreal and the other real. By the unreal, an educated person, guided by
the dictates of conscience, avoids bad qualities, and in their stead adopts good ones; but this
abstinence of his lasts only as long as he fears mankind. By the real, an educated person, in
accordance with his religious principles, does good actions only, in the hope of securing salva-
tion, and abstains from bad deeds through fear of punishment in the future- world. This
14 A
Although the former rulers of this country have now and then expressed in their speeches
their regret at the miserable condition of the Mahomedans, but they have never paid sufficient
attention to these matters so as to find out the cause of the lagging behind of us—the Maho-
medans. But our innumerable thanks are due to the Almighty God, that His Excellency the
Viceroy and Governor-General of India, and especially His Honor the present Lieutenant-
Governor of Bengal, have turned their attention towards the miserable condition of the
•Mahomedans, and have appointed a Commission for enquiring into the cause of our decay*
The gentlemen who have been appointed the members of the Commission of enquiry are also
so generous and just, and such appreciators and patrons of learning, that we entertain strong
hopes of success from their enquiry and judgment.
Although the said gentlemen are personally bestowing due attention and sufficient con-
sideration towards the reorganization of the affairs of the Mudrussah, yet, in compliance with
the orders of those honorable gentlemen, we beg to submit our humble opinions on the subject
of the organization of the Mudrussah, which is the source of our prosperity. Although the
Mudrussah has been founded for giving instruction in the higher sciences of the Arabic lan-
guage, and in this language a thorough education in religious subjects may be acquired, yet, as
education in those sciences and subjects of learning which are calculated to procure rank and
wealth is also very necessary, it appears to us that, with religious education in Arabic, instruc-
tion in subjects that are of use in procuring the means of livelihood should also be imparted in
the Urdu and English languages, as detailed below :—
Firstly.—In order to improve matters connected with the religion of the Mahomedans and
the future world, it is expedient that the students should, after completing their education in
etymology, syntax, rhetoric, and a little of logic in the Arabic language, be taught one or
two standard books on Mahomedan law, Mahomedan law of inheritance, theology (or articles
of faith), traditional sayings of the Prophet, and commentaries of the Koran.
Secondly.—In order to improve worldly matters tending to procure the means of subsist-
ence, education in the higher sciences, viz., natural philosophy, mathematics, metaphysics,
history, geography, moral philosophy, political economy, &e., which may suffice for attaining
the degrees of the University examinations, should be given by means of works translated
into Urdu from the English language. Although the English language has now-a-days
become the key to the treasury of various useful arts and exquisite sciences, yet their acquisi-
tion through the means of that language (which is quite foreign to the people of this country)
is difficult. If all the books of those sciences could be produced in the Urdu language, those
useful arts and exquisite sciences might be understood and acquired in a very short time,
and with the greatest ease, Although many books of both the higher and lower standards
have been translated and published, and for the translation of the rest the scientific societies
of Behar and Allygurhare trying their utmost, still, through the assistance of Government,
the translation of the remaining requisite books in the said sciences is not difficult. We hope,
from the liberality of Government, that attention may be bestowed on the translation of
the requisite books.
Thirdly.—It is exceedingly necessary that along with the above studies a complete instruc-
tion should be imparted in the English language.
Fourthly.—The glory of the Calcutta Mudrussah, since the time of its foundation, having
been acknowledged, in consequence of such of its students as have been successful in their
examinations and obtained diplomas being appointed to posts of honor and distinction, it
is proper that this Mudrussah should be raised to the rank of a university, for the pur-
pose of awarding academical titles to its students; with this proviso, that any one who
may be desirous of undergoing an examination in all those sciences which form the subjects of
examination in English in the Calcutta University should be permitted to do so either
in the Arabic, Urdu, or English language; and, in case of successfully passing the said
examination, should obtain the same advantages which are gained by the students of
English colleges who pass the University examination. If Government will be so kind
as to grant all these requests of the Mahomedans, they will as it were become quite
regenerated. The result of such a sort of education will not only tend to the preserva-
tion of the religion and manners of the Mahomedans, and to their success in obtaining
worldly wealth and honor, but a grand object of Government {viz., the general improvement
of morality and civilization in a particular class of Mahomedans) will be accomplished by it.
Although every sort of education has much to do with the formation of morals, yet the same
is of two sorts—one unreal and the other real. By the unreal, an educated person, guided by
the dictates of conscience, avoids bad qualities, and in their stead adopts good ones; but this
abstinence of his lasts only as long as he fears mankind. By the real, an educated person, in
accordance with his religious principles, does good actions only, in the hope of securing salva-
tion, and abstains from bad deeds through fear of punishment in the future- world. This
14 A