seminaries in which Hindoo law, grammar, and metaphysics
were taught. These institutions are stated to have been
maintained by the voluntary contributions of opulent Hindoos
and the produce of charity lands, the total annual expense being
rupees 19,500. No details are given, but it may be inferred,
although it is not expressly mentioned, that the statement rests
on the authority of official documents. No cause has been in
operation in the intermediate period to render it probable that
the number of such seminaries within this district has since
then been materially diminished. Mr Ward mentions that at
Juyunugur and Mujilee Pooru seventeen or eighteen similar
schools were found, and at Andoolee ten or twelve, these villages,
according to my information, being within the limits of the
district; but it is probable that they are included in the more
comprehensive enumeration mentioned by Hamilton.
I do not find any account on record of any private
institutions for the promotion of Mahomedan learning either in
Calcutta or in the surrounding district. Hamilton states that in
1801 there was one and but one, madrasa or college for
instruction in Mahomedan law, but he does not mention its
particular locality, and it is not improbable that he refers to the
institution endowed by Warren Hastings, and now under the
superintendence of the General Committee of Public Instruction.
There can be no doubt, however, that in this as well as in other
districts of Bengal in which he have no authentic account of the
state of Mahomedan learning, that loose system of private tuition
already described prevails to a greater or less extent.
MIDNAPORE: (pp.50-51)
Hamilton states that in this district there are no schools
where the Hindoo or Mahomedan laws are taught. There was
formerly a Mahomedan college in the town of Midnapore, and
even yet the establishment is said to exist, but no law is taught.
Persian and Arabic are taught by maulavis who in general have a
few scholars in their houses, whom they support as well as
instruct. These Persian and Arabic students, although of
respectable families, are considered as living on charity; and
they are total strangers to expense and dissipation. The alleged
absence of schools of Hindoo learning in a population of which
six-seventh are said to be Hindoos is incredible, and denied by
learned natives who have resided in the district and are
personally acquainted with several schools of that description
within its limits. They are not so numerous as the domestic
schools of learning