77
In Persian, I would recommend Anwari Sohailli and Tarikh Nader Secunder Nameh-
Zulekha.
In Bengali, they should be practised in reading and writing. It would be a good plan if
court papers were used for this purpose. I am also highly in favor of teaching the Penal Code,
Criminal Procedure Code, Civil Code, and Law of Evidence in Bengali. I feel confident that
all Mussulmans would value such a course of instruction, and if they did not, I would let them
go. What is the use of teaching that which is of no use ? Government money would be
wasted, so also the student's time. If students really work at Arabic for three hours daily, it
may be sufficient, and they would in that case give three hours daily to English, Bengali, and
Persian. There can be no possible objection to students reading for six hours daily, with an
interval of half an hour for prayer, recreation, &c. The examination for admission to the
Arabic Department should comprise elements of Arabic grammar and Persian. Students should
also know something of English, i. e., they should be able to read easy sentences. This is my
opinion, but the Mahomedan Literary Society, of which 1 am President, will shortly meet and
discuss this subject : and the result of the discussion will be given to the Committee. The fact
of Government directing attention to the affairs of the Mudrussah has given much satis-
faction to the Muhammadan community. I have also strongly to urge that students leaving the
Anglo-Persian Department after the Entrance examination should be allowed to join the
Presidency College on a lower fee, say one rupee. It is simply impossible for Muhammadans
generally to pay the present high fee, but of course in the case of those who are able to pay
there is no necessity for any reduction. I have one son in the Arabic Department, and two
sons in the Anglo-Persian Department; another son has passed through the Arabic Department.
I have complaints of the inferiority of the teachers of the Anglo-Persian Department, and of
their paying very little attention to their duties. I would not take away any scholarships from
the Arabic Department for the purpose of conferring them on the students of the Anglo-
Persian Department, after passing the University* Entrance examination. If my proposals are
carried out, the reputation of the Mudrussah will rise, and Muhammadans will flock to it from
all quarters. Formerly it was the practice to conduct the annual examinations by outsiders,
I think the examination for scholarships should now be conducted by outsiders. I would re-
commend a committee to be appointed of independent Muhammadan gentlemen, to advise on
all matters affecting the welfare of the institution, and with these I would associate any
European gentlemen who may take an interest in Muhammadan education. We don't look
upon Moulvie Kubeeruddeen as an Arabic scholar. I am in favor of the Sherafutnamah.
Formerly there was a public distribution of prizes, and tickets were issued inviting respectable
Muhammadans to the ceremony. It is desirable that this custom be revived. No student should
fie admitted to the lowest class of the Arabic Department who is above eighteen years of age.
For admission to each of the higher classes, the limit should be increased by one year. I hear
complaints of the allotment of quarters to students. The more students can be accommodated
the better, as the building was constructed for this special purpose 1 believe the zillah schoolg
are not resorted to by Muhammadans, because there is no provision for teaching Persian. 'There
are several Muhammadans of high repute, whose appointment to the office of Professor of the
Mudrussah would be received with much satisfaction ; for instance, Mooftee Sadoollah, of
Rampore, and Moulvie Abdool Huq, also of Rampore or Bhopal.
Moulvie Syed Fuzl-i-Hossain. - A Mookhtear of the High Court, and a native of Gya.
The Moulvie repeated in substance and with much warmth the recommendations of the pre-
vious witness, Kazee Abdul Baree.
Hakeem Syed Abdul Hossain.—I am Hakeem, and practice in Calcutta; my home is at
Burdwan, (The witness warmly concurred in the recommendation of Kazee Abdul Baree.)
Twenty of my relatives have received their education in this Mudrussah. I am strongly in
favor of the Sherafutnamah, which ought to be carried out more strictly,
Moulvie Gholam Surwar, a Translator of the High Court.— I his Moulvie was also
strongly in favor of an English education, and fully concurred in the recommendations of
Kazee Abdul Baree.
1st September 1869.
Moulvie Abdool Hukeem.—I am the Second Assistant Translator of the Leo’isla-
tive Department of the Government of India. I entered the Arabic Department of this
Mudrussah in 1851 and remained till 1857. Besides the present course, we read in tny time
algebra, geometry, arithmetic, and the Hedaya in law. I think it was a mistake to drop
these subjects. I have learnt English privately. I entered at thirteen years of age the third
class, and remained two years in this class, two years in the second, and two years in the
first. .1 am now of opinion that many changes are required. I recommend that the former
books be introduced, such as Hedaya and Shureh Mullah ; history and Arithmetic should
also be read. I would divide the students into eight classes, and the last four classes
20
In Persian, I would recommend Anwari Sohailli and Tarikh Nader Secunder Nameh-
Zulekha.
In Bengali, they should be practised in reading and writing. It would be a good plan if
court papers were used for this purpose. I am also highly in favor of teaching the Penal Code,
Criminal Procedure Code, Civil Code, and Law of Evidence in Bengali. I feel confident that
all Mussulmans would value such a course of instruction, and if they did not, I would let them
go. What is the use of teaching that which is of no use ? Government money would be
wasted, so also the student's time. If students really work at Arabic for three hours daily, it
may be sufficient, and they would in that case give three hours daily to English, Bengali, and
Persian. There can be no possible objection to students reading for six hours daily, with an
interval of half an hour for prayer, recreation, &c. The examination for admission to the
Arabic Department should comprise elements of Arabic grammar and Persian. Students should
also know something of English, i. e., they should be able to read easy sentences. This is my
opinion, but the Mahomedan Literary Society, of which 1 am President, will shortly meet and
discuss this subject : and the result of the discussion will be given to the Committee. The fact
of Government directing attention to the affairs of the Mudrussah has given much satis-
faction to the Muhammadan community. I have also strongly to urge that students leaving the
Anglo-Persian Department after the Entrance examination should be allowed to join the
Presidency College on a lower fee, say one rupee. It is simply impossible for Muhammadans
generally to pay the present high fee, but of course in the case of those who are able to pay
there is no necessity for any reduction. I have one son in the Arabic Department, and two
sons in the Anglo-Persian Department; another son has passed through the Arabic Department.
I have complaints of the inferiority of the teachers of the Anglo-Persian Department, and of
their paying very little attention to their duties. I would not take away any scholarships from
the Arabic Department for the purpose of conferring them on the students of the Anglo-
Persian Department, after passing the University* Entrance examination. If my proposals are
carried out, the reputation of the Mudrussah will rise, and Muhammadans will flock to it from
all quarters. Formerly it was the practice to conduct the annual examinations by outsiders,
I think the examination for scholarships should now be conducted by outsiders. I would re-
commend a committee to be appointed of independent Muhammadan gentlemen, to advise on
all matters affecting the welfare of the institution, and with these I would associate any
European gentlemen who may take an interest in Muhammadan education. We don't look
upon Moulvie Kubeeruddeen as an Arabic scholar. I am in favor of the Sherafutnamah.
Formerly there was a public distribution of prizes, and tickets were issued inviting respectable
Muhammadans to the ceremony. It is desirable that this custom be revived. No student should
fie admitted to the lowest class of the Arabic Department who is above eighteen years of age.
For admission to each of the higher classes, the limit should be increased by one year. I hear
complaints of the allotment of quarters to students. The more students can be accommodated
the better, as the building was constructed for this special purpose 1 believe the zillah schoolg
are not resorted to by Muhammadans, because there is no provision for teaching Persian. 'There
are several Muhammadans of high repute, whose appointment to the office of Professor of the
Mudrussah would be received with much satisfaction ; for instance, Mooftee Sadoollah, of
Rampore, and Moulvie Abdool Huq, also of Rampore or Bhopal.
Moulvie Syed Fuzl-i-Hossain. - A Mookhtear of the High Court, and a native of Gya.
The Moulvie repeated in substance and with much warmth the recommendations of the pre-
vious witness, Kazee Abdul Baree.
Hakeem Syed Abdul Hossain.—I am Hakeem, and practice in Calcutta; my home is at
Burdwan, (The witness warmly concurred in the recommendation of Kazee Abdul Baree.)
Twenty of my relatives have received their education in this Mudrussah. I am strongly in
favor of the Sherafutnamah, which ought to be carried out more strictly,
Moulvie Gholam Surwar, a Translator of the High Court.— I his Moulvie was also
strongly in favor of an English education, and fully concurred in the recommendations of
Kazee Abdul Baree.
1st September 1869.
Moulvie Abdool Hukeem.—I am the Second Assistant Translator of the Leo’isla-
tive Department of the Government of India. I entered the Arabic Department of this
Mudrussah in 1851 and remained till 1857. Besides the present course, we read in tny time
algebra, geometry, arithmetic, and the Hedaya in law. I think it was a mistake to drop
these subjects. I have learnt English privately. I entered at thirteen years of age the third
class, and remained two years in this class, two years in the second, and two years in the
first. .1 am now of opinion that many changes are required. I recommend that the former
books be introduced, such as Hedaya and Shureh Mullah ; history and Arithmetic should
also be read. I would divide the students into eight classes, and the last four classes
20