enquiries made in 1824 showed that there were some schools
with thirty scholars. According to the reputation of the teacher is
the number of the students, and in proportion to the number of
the students is the number of invitations and the liberality of the
gifts which the teacher receives on the occasion of the
performance of important religious ceremonies in Hindoo
families. The number of students has thus a double pecuniary
operation. As they always derive a part of their subsistence from
the teacher, they are a burden upon his means; and by the
increased reputation which they confer upon him, they enable
him to support that burden. Sometimes, however, students
capable of living on their own means return home after school
hours; and in other instances, the more wealthy inhabitants of
the town or village are found to contribute towards the support
of poor students whom the teacher cannot maintain. The first
three or four years are occupied in the study of Sanscrit
grammar and the next six or eight years in the study of law and
logic, with which the generality of students finish their
education, and are thenceforth classed among learned men,
receiving from the teacher when they are leaving him an
honorary title which they retain for life.
There are few Mahomedan schools of learning in this
district. Omitting reference to that at Hugly, supported by the
endowment of Haji Mohammed Moshin, under the orders of the
Board of Revenue, and about to be extended and improved
under the superintendence of the General Committee of Public
Instruction, I find mention made of only one other existing at
Seetapore, a populous town, situated 22 miles in the interior of
the district. It was originally supported by a grant of five rupees
eight annas per diem, made by the English Government in
consideration of the faithful services of Umsih-ood-din the
founder. After his death, and in consequence of divisions among
the surviving members of his family, who it seems had claim to a
part of the grant for their maintenance, it was limited to rupees
50 per month, which, as far as my information extends, it
continues to derive from government to the present day.
According to Hamilton, in 1801, this college had 30 students
who were instructed in Persian and Arabic, and according to the
report made to the General Committee in 1824, it had 25
students who were taught only Persian. This institution does not
appear ever to have come under the supervision of the
Committee or of any public officer. The report of 1824 further
alleges the existence of certain lands at Pandua in this district,
which should be appropriated to the support of madrasas, but
which have been diverted from that purpose. It is stated to be a
well known fact that grants