LETTER OF MR M.K. GANDHI TO SIR PHILIP HARTOG
(COPY)Dear Friend,
I am sorry I was unable, owing to circumstances beyond
my control, to fulfill the promise I gave you about my statement
on the condition of Primary education in India during the pre-
British time. Immediately on my landing I entrusted the research
to Advocate Munshi, a member of the Bombay University senate,
and two other educationist friends. But they too like me find
themselves civil resistance prisoners. I had asked Advocate
Munshi to put himself in direct touch with you. But his arrest
came so soon after mine that I hardly think he could have
corresponded with you. As I am permitted to carry on non-
political correspondence, I have now asked Prof Shah to test my
statement and give you the result of his test. As I found in you a
fellow seeker after truth, I was most anxious to give you
satisfaction either by confirming my statement or withdrawing it
as publicly as I had made it. I thought that I would tell you what
I had done in pursuance of my promise.
As I have not your private address by me, I am sending this
to you under care India Office.
Yours Sincerely,
Sd/-M. K. Gandhi.
Yeravda Central Prison,
Poona. 15.2.32.
...
45, Chowpatty Road, Bombay (7)
20th February, 1932Dear Sir Philip,
I have been informed by Mahatma Gandhi that during his
stay in London recently, and while speaking at some public
meeting about the state of education in British India before the
advent of the British in this country, he remarked that the
extent of literacy was greater in those days than at the present
time. He adds that you had questioned the accuracy of that
statement, and called upon Mr Gandhi to furnish proof in
support of the same. Mahatmaji has, I understand, referred you
to some writings in the Young India; but you do not consider