DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.68024#0217
209
productive of disaffection, even amongst the Muhammadan students. Besides, higher edu-
cation, taken in its true sense, can hardly be imparted in this country through any language
but English, which alone can throw open the door of science to a Native.
In this province there is no want of encouragement to Persian ; on the contrary, the
complaint is that Government throws away its money on this language, which seems only to
raise a class of pauper munshis (of whom there is no lack at present), instead of usefully
employing it on the diffusion of English, for which alone the Muhammadans stand in need
of Government help.
The creation of a vernacular literature for the Muhammadans will, indeed, be produc-
tive of much good : provided it is suited to the wants and tastes of the majority of the
Muhammadan population, i. e., the agriculturists, manufacturers, and traders, and is rendered
in such a popular style as may be fit for self-study. With this view, encouragement may be
given to the multiplication of treatises in vernacular on the different arts and practical
sciences, such as agriculture, carpentry, metallurgy, weaving, dyeing, pottery, &c., as well
as on interesting novels, &c., containing moral anecdotes, or what is called “ light literature/’
With reference to the employment of qualified Muhammadan teachers for English, we
doubt whether this measure will do much towards attaining the object in view.
In conclusion, we may mention that some members are of opinion that assigning a
number of stipends and scholarships in the principal schools will enable Muhammadan youths
to continue their studies up to the higher standards. This is objected to by others as a wrong
principle; but if this suggestion be carried out, it will undoubtedly have the effect of increas-
ing the number of college students, and, although there will be some additional expenditure
against this item of the educational budget, yet it will tend to reduce the percentage of
charges for education of a higher standard owing to the increased number of students : hence
eventually it will not be an uneconomical measure. We have, however, this much to add in
connection with this subject, that any such act as reserving a number of stipends or scholar-
ships for the Muhammadans specially, instead of offering them to public competition, irre-
spective of color or creed, will interfere with the principles of British administration, according
to which all subjects should have equal patronage of Government.
27
productive of disaffection, even amongst the Muhammadan students. Besides, higher edu-
cation, taken in its true sense, can hardly be imparted in this country through any language
but English, which alone can throw open the door of science to a Native.
In this province there is no want of encouragement to Persian ; on the contrary, the
complaint is that Government throws away its money on this language, which seems only to
raise a class of pauper munshis (of whom there is no lack at present), instead of usefully
employing it on the diffusion of English, for which alone the Muhammadans stand in need
of Government help.
The creation of a vernacular literature for the Muhammadans will, indeed, be produc-
tive of much good : provided it is suited to the wants and tastes of the majority of the
Muhammadan population, i. e., the agriculturists, manufacturers, and traders, and is rendered
in such a popular style as may be fit for self-study. With this view, encouragement may be
given to the multiplication of treatises in vernacular on the different arts and practical
sciences, such as agriculture, carpentry, metallurgy, weaving, dyeing, pottery, &c., as well
as on interesting novels, &c., containing moral anecdotes, or what is called “ light literature/’
With reference to the employment of qualified Muhammadan teachers for English, we
doubt whether this measure will do much towards attaining the object in view.
In conclusion, we may mention that some members are of opinion that assigning a
number of stipends and scholarships in the principal schools will enable Muhammadan youths
to continue their studies up to the higher standards. This is objected to by others as a wrong
principle; but if this suggestion be carried out, it will undoubtedly have the effect of increas-
ing the number of college students, and, although there will be some additional expenditure
against this item of the educational budget, yet it will tend to reduce the percentage of
charges for education of a higher standard owing to the increased number of students : hence
eventually it will not be an uneconomical measure. We have, however, this much to add in
connection with this subject, that any such act as reserving a number of stipends or scholar-
ships for the Muhammadans specially, instead of offering them to public competition, irre-
spective of color or creed, will interfere with the principles of British administration, according
to which all subjects should have equal patronage of Government.
27