which 747 scholars received instruction, averaging upwards of
24 scholars to each school. In 1830, Mr H.H. Wilson ascertained
by personal inquiry at Nuddea, that there were then about 25
schools in which between 5 and 600 scholars received
instruction, and taking the number of scholars at 550 the
average to each school will be 22. The average of these three
estimates would give 17½ scholars to each school. The lowest or
Calcutta average, that of six scholars to each school, I consider
more probable than the others, for the instances are numerous
throughout the country in which a learned Hindoo teacher has
not more than three or four pupils. Assuming the Calcutta
average and the previous estimate of the total number of
schools, there will appear to be 10,800 students of Hindoo
learning throughout Bengal. The total number of teachers and
students of Hindoo learning will thus be 12,600; and this
number is exclusive of a large class of individuals who, after
having received instruction in a school of learning, and become
in the technical sense of the term Pundits or learned men, from
various causes decline to engage in the profession of teaching. If
further inquiry should show that the lowest estimate, which is
that I have assumed, is one-half in excess of the truth, there will
still remain a large and influential class of men who either have
received or are engaged in giving and receiving a Hindoo
collegiate education.
The Hindoo colleges or schools in which the higher
branches of Hindoo learning are taught are generally built of
clay. Sometimes three or five rooms are erected, and in others
nine or eleven, with a reading-room which is also of clay. These
huts are frequently erected at the expense of the teacher, who
not only solicits alms to raise the building, but also to feed his
pupils. In some cases rent is paid for the ground; but the ground
is commonly, and in particular instances both the ground and
the expenses of the building are, a gift. After a school-room and
lodging-rooms have been thus built to secure the success of the
school, the teacher invites a few Brahmans and respectable
inhabitants to an entertainment at the close of which the
Brahmans are dismissed with some trifling presents. If the
teacher finds a difficulty in obtaining scholars, he begins the
college with a few junior relatives, and by instructing them and
distinguishing himself in the disputations that take place on
public occasions, he establishes his reputation. The school
opens early every morning by the teacher and pupils assembling
in the open reading-room, when the different classes read in
turns. Study is continued till towards mid-day, after which three
hours are devoted to bathing, worship, eating and sleep; and at
three they