DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.68024#0348
340
stances are entirely different. It would, I conceive, be a better policy on the part of Govern-
ment to allow them, as hitherto, gradually to became merged in the general mass of the popu-
lation, than to attempt to raise their social status by any special measure of relief such as now
requested.
7. The other points referred to by the memorialists may best be left for the consideration
of the Education Committee, which is sitting to consider the educational requirements of the
whole country. I may mention, however, for the information of Government, that in Coorg
two Muhammadan schools are supported by Government at the towns of Mercara and Virajen-
drapet at an annual cost of R240—the former being attended by 40 boys and the latter by 17.
The Inspector of Schools gives it as his opinion that there is no opening for additional
Hindustani schools in Coorg, and states that the richer Muhammadans evince no marked desire
to acquire a knowledge of English.
8. All, therefore, that can fairly be undertaken by Government is what is now provided
for, viz., the consideration of the claims of any private schools which may hereafter be started
in any of the minor towns to a grant-in-aid. Should, however, the adoption of special mea-
sures to promote the education of Muhammadans be deemed either expedient or necessary, it
can only be by the offer by Government each year of a scholarship in the Central School, espe-
cially for Muhammadan youths who pass the middle school examination, and by the exemption
of a few of the poorer boys from payment of fees.
From Major G. H. Trevor, Secretary for Berar to the Resident at Hyderabad, to the Secretary tothe Govern-
ment of India, Home Department,—No. 427, dated Hyderabad, the 14th November 1882.
In reply to your letter No. 4—189 of the 8th March last, calling for a full and careful
report on a memorial from the National Muhammadan Association at Calcutta therewith received,
I am directed to convey the following remarks :—
2. In the above memorial it is alleged-
(1) that the substitution of the vernacular dialects and character or of English for
Persian threw out of employment a considerable body of Muhammadan sub-
ordinate officers, and was the first blow to their prosperity as a community :
(2) that a further blow was given them by the rule declaring that examination for
pleaderships and munsifships should be held in English :
(3) that no measures were taken to counteract the effect of these orders by securing
that Muhammadans should receive the education which their promulgation
necessitated :
(4) that in consequence they have been gradually driven out of the ranks of the public
service :
(5) that further mischief was done by the resumption of the charitable grants by which
in former times education bad been fostered :
(6) that Muhammadan law is not sufficiently understood by English and Hindu Judges ;
that this law, even in matters relating to domestic life, is disregarded, and
that frequent miscarriages of justice therefore occur :
and the recommendations made are-
(1) that the conditions, like that which requires a University or B. L. degree before
appointment to certain offices, .especially those in the subordinate judicial
service, being removed, candidates should be judged by a more general standard,
and effective measures should be taken to secure to Muhammadans the share to
which they are entitled in public appointments :
(2) that the education of Muhammadans like that of Eurasians should be a matter of
special concern to Government:
(3) that steps should be taken to prevent the misappropriation of waqf property :
(4) that Muhammadan Assessor Judges should be appointed to sit with other Judges in
the trial of Muhammadan cases :
(5) that a special Commission should be appointed to consider the question of Muham-
madan education and the best means of utilizing Muhammadan endowments
for education purposes.
The amendment of Act XX of 1863 is suggested in this connection.
3. To assist the Resident in replying to the reference made to him in connection with this
petition, he called for the opinion of the Commissioner, the Judicial Commissioner, and of Mr.
Nizam-ud-Din, Assistant Commissioner, Berar, who, both by his training as a Pleader in Oudh
and by his present position, seemed likely to be able to give a valuable opinion.
4. The Commissioner, Mr. Howell, in reply to this reference, sends a table* which, it is
observed, does not show the percentage of appointments held
* Copy enclosed. by Hindus, but only their absolute number, and remarks as
follows :—•
“ As for my own opinion I find considerable difficulty in dealing with the case, because I
do not understand why no reference is made to the Proceedings of 1871-73, when the same
stances are entirely different. It would, I conceive, be a better policy on the part of Govern-
ment to allow them, as hitherto, gradually to became merged in the general mass of the popu-
lation, than to attempt to raise their social status by any special measure of relief such as now
requested.
7. The other points referred to by the memorialists may best be left for the consideration
of the Education Committee, which is sitting to consider the educational requirements of the
whole country. I may mention, however, for the information of Government, that in Coorg
two Muhammadan schools are supported by Government at the towns of Mercara and Virajen-
drapet at an annual cost of R240—the former being attended by 40 boys and the latter by 17.
The Inspector of Schools gives it as his opinion that there is no opening for additional
Hindustani schools in Coorg, and states that the richer Muhammadans evince no marked desire
to acquire a knowledge of English.
8. All, therefore, that can fairly be undertaken by Government is what is now provided
for, viz., the consideration of the claims of any private schools which may hereafter be started
in any of the minor towns to a grant-in-aid. Should, however, the adoption of special mea-
sures to promote the education of Muhammadans be deemed either expedient or necessary, it
can only be by the offer by Government each year of a scholarship in the Central School, espe-
cially for Muhammadan youths who pass the middle school examination, and by the exemption
of a few of the poorer boys from payment of fees.
From Major G. H. Trevor, Secretary for Berar to the Resident at Hyderabad, to the Secretary tothe Govern-
ment of India, Home Department,—No. 427, dated Hyderabad, the 14th November 1882.
In reply to your letter No. 4—189 of the 8th March last, calling for a full and careful
report on a memorial from the National Muhammadan Association at Calcutta therewith received,
I am directed to convey the following remarks :—
2. In the above memorial it is alleged-
(1) that the substitution of the vernacular dialects and character or of English for
Persian threw out of employment a considerable body of Muhammadan sub-
ordinate officers, and was the first blow to their prosperity as a community :
(2) that a further blow was given them by the rule declaring that examination for
pleaderships and munsifships should be held in English :
(3) that no measures were taken to counteract the effect of these orders by securing
that Muhammadans should receive the education which their promulgation
necessitated :
(4) that in consequence they have been gradually driven out of the ranks of the public
service :
(5) that further mischief was done by the resumption of the charitable grants by which
in former times education bad been fostered :
(6) that Muhammadan law is not sufficiently understood by English and Hindu Judges ;
that this law, even in matters relating to domestic life, is disregarded, and
that frequent miscarriages of justice therefore occur :
and the recommendations made are-
(1) that the conditions, like that which requires a University or B. L. degree before
appointment to certain offices, .especially those in the subordinate judicial
service, being removed, candidates should be judged by a more general standard,
and effective measures should be taken to secure to Muhammadans the share to
which they are entitled in public appointments :
(2) that the education of Muhammadans like that of Eurasians should be a matter of
special concern to Government:
(3) that steps should be taken to prevent the misappropriation of waqf property :
(4) that Muhammadan Assessor Judges should be appointed to sit with other Judges in
the trial of Muhammadan cases :
(5) that a special Commission should be appointed to consider the question of Muham-
madan education and the best means of utilizing Muhammadan endowments
for education purposes.
The amendment of Act XX of 1863 is suggested in this connection.
3. To assist the Resident in replying to the reference made to him in connection with this
petition, he called for the opinion of the Commissioner, the Judicial Commissioner, and of Mr.
Nizam-ud-Din, Assistant Commissioner, Berar, who, both by his training as a Pleader in Oudh
and by his present position, seemed likely to be able to give a valuable opinion.
4. The Commissioner, Mr. Howell, in reply to this reference, sends a table* which, it is
observed, does not show the percentage of appointments held
* Copy enclosed. by Hindus, but only their absolute number, and remarks as
follows :—•
“ As for my own opinion I find considerable difficulty in dealing with the case, because I
do not understand why no reference is made to the Proceedings of 1871-73, when the same