Government and their produce has since been included in the
revenue of government. The Principal Collector of Coimbatore
reports that Mauniums, etc., granted in former times for the
support of colleges to the value of rupees 2,208 have been
resumed either by the Mussulman or the British Government.
- The late Collector of Bellary having stated in his report
that none of the institutions for education at present existing in
that district derive support from the state added ‘there is no
doubt that in former times especially under the Hindoo
Government very large grants both in money and in land were
issued for the support of learning’, and further stated his
opinion that many of the Yeomiahs and Shrotriums now held by
Bramins in the district may be traced to this source. No
conditions he observed ‘are stated in the grants issued by the
former governments; they all purport to flow from the free
bounty of the ruling power merely to aid the maintenance of
some holy or learned man. But they were almost universally
granted to learned or religious persons, who maintained schools
for one or more of the Sciences and taught therein gratuitously;
and though not expressed in the deed itself the duty of
continuing such gratuitous instruction was certainly implied in
all such grants.’ It does not appear upon what grounds Mr
Campbell founded his opinion so confidently that the implied
condition of the grants referred to was the continuance of
gratuitous instruction; but it seems not to be the result of
particular investigation. Mr Campbell further suggested with the
view of covering the expense of a general arrangement proposed
by him in this report for the improvement of education that it
might be provided that ‘on the demise—of any persons now
holding Yeomiahs or alienated lands a new enquiry be instituted
and that though the same may have been continued for more
than one generation by the British Government it may be
resumed and carried to a new fund to be termed, “the school
fund”, unless it is clearly stated in the body of the original grant
to be hereditary, or the intention of the ruling power at the time
to make such grant hereditary be clearly proved to the
satisfaction of government.’ The Board have little doubt that the
resumption of lands now alienated, in the manner suggested by
Mr Campbell would produce ample funds for the purpose
contemplated but they conceive that the two objects in view,
namely, the recovery of alienated lands, and the establishment of
a fund for the support of schools should be kept entirely distinct
and separate. The establishment of schools in every part of the
country under any general plan should be regulated