THE ORIGINS OF THE HINDU COLLEGE
The importance and far-reaching effect of the instruction imparted
in the Hindu College attracted the notice of the publicists and
authors even in the thirties of the last century. "The Calcutta
Christian Observer" gave a running account of this institution,
based on contemporary evidence, in its first three issues June,
July, and August, 1832. James Kerr, Principal of the Hindu
College (1843-48), devoted a considerable portion of his book,
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"Review of Public Instruction in the Bengal Presidency" (1851),
to the history of the Hindu College. Rajnarain Bose of hallowed
memory traced the origin and progress of the Hindu and the
Presidency College on the occasion of the first College Re-union
in early 1875. "Presidency College Register" was compiled and
published under official auspices in 1927. In an important paper
on Indian education of those days by Brajendra Nath Banerjee,
much new light was thrown on the origin and foundation of the
Hindu College. The present writer discovered, two decades ago,
the "Manuscript Proceedings" of the Hindu College Managing
Committee, written in detail from 1816 to 1832, and in brief from
1833 up to 1850, in the family library of Rajah Radhakant Deb. He
also contributed papers at that time on the Hindu College, in its
first phase, based on these manuscript records and supplemented
by the contemporary newspapers. The present article is also
mainly based on these materials, in manuscripts and in print.
The educational policy of the East India Company took a definite
shape after 1813. That year the Company’s Charter was renewed,
and it was stipulated in one of its clauses that the Company’s local
Government should spend one lakh of rupees annually on
education. There was no question of English education at the time
in spite of the far-fetched construction of the clause by Thomas
Babington Macaulay twenty years later in favour of English
education. The sum of one lakh was to be spent exclusively for
oriental studies-Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian. And this was for
two reasons: (1) the official language, including the language of
the Courts, was Persian, and (2) the Company’s local authorities
thought that official encouragement of studies other than oriental
might alienate the sympathy of the people towards British rule.
The former was the main reason that those versed in Persian found
employment in the Government as Sadar Ameens, corresponding
to the modem Munsiffs, and other similar posts. The English-
educated youths were not given employment worth the name in
any Government department till the renewal of the Company’s
Charter in 1833.
But the Indians had already come in contact with the British
officials and non-officials. Necessity of learning the English
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language was keenly felt by even the rank and file for their constant
intercourse with the British businessmen. Some schools had been
started for giving the Indian boys rudimentary instruction in
English. Radhakant Deb, Dwarkanath Tagore and Ramcomul
Sen, who rose to eminence in after life, took their first lessons in
English in these pathsalas. Drummond’s Dhuramtollah Academy
was an institution of a higher type. It was here that the famous
Derozio studied in his early life. But the gentlemen named above
as well as a good many others acquired proficiency in English
language and literature by private study and began to appreciate
their values. Raja Rammohun Roy preceded all of them in
acquiring sufficient knowledge in English, but it is not on record
that he received English instruction in any school or pathsala then
in vogue. Even the pundits or the learned Sanskrit scholars heard
of the richness of English literature through their compatriots and
favoured the idea of imparting instruction in this lore to the
younger generation.
The idea was already there. But it was left to David Hare, the
watch-maker, to give it a concrete shape. He envisaged the
prospects and possibilities of English education in India. He
mooted the subject at a private meeting at Rammohun Roy’s
house. When the credit for the foundation of the Hindu College
was sought to be divided between Sir Edward Hyde East and Dr.
Horace Hayman Wilson in 1830, a bitter controversy started in the
newspapers, and it was agreed by almost everybody that die
‘originator’ of the College, truly speaking, was David Hare,
because, the idea of such an institution at first originated with him.
It was also David Hare who prepared the plan for the Hindu
College. It was on the basis of this plan that subsequent efforts
were made. We have the following recorded in the June 1832 issue
of 'The Calcutta Christian Observer:'
“The late Mr. Derozio, who, from his intimacy with David Hare
and the Native community, as well as from his knowledge of the
proceedings of the College, certainly had good grounds for the
assertion which he so resolutely maintained, that previous to the
aforesaid meeting being held (on the 14th May,1816), a paper,
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both author and originator of which was Mr. Hare, and the
purport of which was, a proposal for the establishment of a
■ College, was handed to Sir Hyde East by a Native for his
countenance and support.”
This point was elaborated in the July( 1832) issue of the Observer.
Here we find that a few persons assembled at Rammohun Roy’s
house when David Hare made the above proposal. This proposal
received general approbation from those present there. Hare
subsequently prepared a plan for the same, and Dewan Baidya
Nath Mukherjee was deputed to collect subscriptions. Rammohun
Roy was in the know of the proposal made at his house and in his
presence, as well as the plan for founding a well-organised English
seminary. The Observer writes that “this circular was put into the
hands of Sir E.H.East, who was very much pleased with the
proposal, and after making a few corrections, offered his most
cordial aid in the promotion of its object”.
From other contemporary >r nearly contemporary sources it is
clear that Rammohun Roy was closely associated with David Hare
and some of their common friends in communicating the plan of
the College to their opulent as well as learned countrymen. It may
be presumed that the weighty support of no less a distinguished
person than Rammohun was responsible for its being publicised in
so short a time. It is, therefore, difficult to appreciate the view of
those who say that Rammohun had no connection whatsoever with
the foundation of the Hindu College.
Sir Edward Hyde East, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Calcutta,
was held in high esteem by the members of the Hindu and the
European communities. Invitations were sent in his name to the
leading members of both the communities to assemble at a
meeting in East’s house. As scheduled, the meeting was held there
on 14th May,1816. The Hindus necessarily predominated. This
meeting is very memorable, because it is from here that the history
of modem education in India properly begins. We have two
accounts of this momentous meeting, one very brief in the
Manuscripts Proceedings of the Hindu College, and the other in
considerable details in the letter of Sir E.H. East, written only four
days af ter the meeting took place. The account in the Proceedings
tallies substantially with that given in the letter, and is inserted
below:
“A very respectable meeting of the Hindoos assembled at this
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meeting by individual invitation at the house of the Hon’ble
Chief Justice for the purpose of subscribing to and forming an
establishment for the liberal education of their children.”
“The business of the day was opened by the Chief Justice, who
addressed the meeting as to the object for which they were
assembled and as to the benefit that his Lordship considered
would be derived by the country at large from forming an
establishment for the education of their youths.”
“The proposal was received with the unanimous approbation
of all the Natives present including the most eminent pundits,
who sanctioned with their express support, and
recommendation
“A large sum of money was immediately subscribed by most
of those present, and it being understood that there were many
Hindoo gentlemen who were not present, that were anxious to
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become subscribers to the Institution, another meeting was by
the consent of the Chief Justice appointed to be held at his
Lordship’s house on Tuesday the 21st of May, when a
committee might be chosen for preparing details of the plan,
and taking measures for proceeding to a project and place for
the College proposed to be erected. The meeting was therefore
adjourned till Tuesday, 21st May, and subscriptions
appointed to be received in the meantime by W.C. Blaqueire
and J.W. Croft, Esqrs.”
In his above-mentioned letter Sir E.H. East noted some
‘singularities’ of this important assemblage. In his words, “One
of the singularities of the meeting was, that it was composed of
ersons of various castes, all combining for such a purpose,
whom nothing else could have brought together; whose
children are to be taught, though not fed, together.” East was
struck with the enthusiasm of the prominent pundits, Sanskrit
scholars, for the introduction of Western literature and science. He
writes that “when they were about to depart, the head pundit, in the
name of himself and others, said that they rejoiced in having lived
t
to see the day when literature (many parts of which had formerly
been cultivated in this country with considerable success, but
which were now nearly extinct) was about to be revived with
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greater lustre and prospect of success than ever.” According to the
letter, the subjects to be taught in the proposed institution were:
“The cultivation of the Bengalee and English languages in
particular; next, the Hindostanee tongue, as convenient in the
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Upper Provinces; and then the Persian, if desired, as
ornamental; general duty to God; the English system of
morals........... ; grammar, writing (in English as well as in
Bengalee), arithmetic (this is one of the Hindu virtues),
history, geography, astronomy, mathematics; and in time, as
the fund increases, English belles-lettres, poetry, etc., etc.”
A few things are to be noted. In both the accounts, the name of
David Hare, the ‘originator of the plan ’ did not occur. Hare never
liked to come to the forefront. In the letter of Sir Edward,
Rammohun Roy came up prominently. The orthodox pundits
objected to his having any connection with the proposed
institution. One of them went so far as to say that he would have
nothing to do with it, if they accepted subscriptions from
Rammohun Roy. Rammohun retired, even before the foundation
of the College was formally resolved upon.
At the second general meeting held on 21st May, the proposal took
a definite form. Some resolutions were accepted. By one the
establishment of the institution was resolved upon, and its name
was to be “Hindu College.” By another resolution, a General
Committee was appointed for the realisation of this object. This
Committee consisted of ten Europeans and twenty Indians,
Courtesy: Presidency Alumni Association Calcutta, Kolkata 700073
Courtesy: Presidency Alumni Association Calcutta, Kolkata 700073
representing the elite and enlightened of both the communities. It
should be noted that amongst the Indian members, as many as live
were the most prominent pundits, or Sanskrit scholars. Joseph
Barretto, the famous businessman and philanthropist, was
appointed treasurer.
Subsequent meetings of the General Committee were also held at
East’s house and under his Chairmanship. At the meeting on 27th
May, Lt. Col. Francis Irvine of the Military Department and
Dewan Baidyanath Mukherjee, who had taken keen interest in the
matter from the very start, were appointed European and ‘Native’
secretaries temporarily. Some tentative rules were framed on this
occasion, and the members were requested individually to give
their opinion on them. They might also make some rules
themselves and send them to the Committee. A Select Committee
was formed “to take measures for providing a proper place for the
site of the intended College as well as to procure a temporary
building for the purpose of commencing instruction in the
Bengalee and English language as soon as possible.’’
The General Committee again met on 11th June. After tire formal
business was finished, the European members withdrew in a body,
never to take any active part in the proceedings. Even Sir Edward
Hyde East and J.H. Harington, two very ardent supporters of the
cause, were to be regarded as private friends. The reason of their
withdrawal is that even in 1816, the local authorities believed that
co-operation with the Indians in such matters might be construed
as governmental interference. The actual lines of the Proceedin
in this connection are:
“The English gentlemen of the Committee desire to relinquish
their right of voting on any question which may come before
the Committee, though they will always be ready to assist the
Native Committee with their advice in any matter in which
they may consult them.
“Sir Edward Hyde East and Mr. Harington desired to be
considered as private friends to the Institution in common
with the rest of the English gentlemen, to assist the gentlemen
of the Native Committee, but without making any honorary
appellation to themselves.”
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Henceforward the Committee worked almost single-handed,
though the venue of its meetings was the same. In its sitting on 25 th
June, a sub-committee was formed to prepare a digest of the rules
;uid plans received heretofore from individual members. The
General Committee did not meet for the following two months.
The sub-committee held its sittings during this period and thrashed
out a digest of fundamental rules after mature deliberations. The
local newspapers noticed the progress of the work of the General
Committee and its sub-committee from time to time. 'The
Calcutta Gazette* of 11th July, 1816, commented on the work of
the sub-committee as below:
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“While the greatest unanimity of sentiment has prevailed with
regard to many points, there are others which have excited
much diversity of opinion among the subscribers. This
diversity far from being a subject of regret, is only one out of
many proofs of that zeal and animation with which the leading
families and characters among Hindoos have engaged in the
design.”
The 'Gazette* of the same date informed the public of the large
donation of Maharajah Tej Chand of Burdwan, amounting to
rupees twelve thousand. It should be mentioned here that Gopee
Mohun Tagore of Pathuriaghata subscribed rupees ten thousand,
and the Mullicks of Burrabazar rupees twenty-five thousand. The
'Calcutta Gazette* of 27th June had already referred to the
amount and to the suggested ways of its expenditure:
“The amount of the subscriptions at present is Rs.66,700, of
which not less than 25,000 has been contributed by the
Mullicks. Almost all the subscribers declare their resolution
to add to their contributions as soon as a definitive plan should
have been agreed on, which shall decide the mode and terms
of the subscription. Calculations have in the meantime been
made which purport to show, that one lac subscribed to a fund
destined to remain at interest during the first year, afterwards
to purchase ground and erect those buildings soonest
required, together with half a lac constituting a fund, the
capital and interest of which may be gradually expended,
during the four years ensuing, on current expenses, will enable
the managers of the institution to commence instruction, with
every reasonable prospect of final success.”
The sub-committee, appointed for the purpose of preparing Rules
for the College, finished its labours on 20th August 1816 and sent
the printed copies of them to individual members of the General
Committee. Both the General Committee and the subscribers met
separately on 27th August at the house of Sir Edward Hyde East,
to consider the rules. The sub-committee formally placed the
Rules before both the meetings, which were passed unanimously,
the pundits, too, giving their full consent.
The Rules were thirty-four in number, divided into three sections,
namely, Tuition, Funds and Privileges, and Government. The
object of the institution was described in the 1st rule of the first
section as “The primary object of the Institution Is, the tuition
of the sons of respectable Hindoos, in the English and Indian
languages and in the literature and science of Europe and
Asia.” According to rule 3, the College would include a School
(Pathsala), and an Academy (Maha Pathsala). The subjects of
study in both the divisions would be on the lines mentioned before.
The work of the School was to commence first. Another rule in
this section is very interesting, and may be followed with profit
even today. The rule lays down:
“The English language shall not he taught to boys under eight
years of age, without the permission of the Managers in each
particular instance.”
The second section, Funds and Privileges, consists of sixteen rules
(10-25), forming the pivot of the constitution. There should be two
distinct funds for the College: (1) “College Fund” and (2)
“Education Fund”. The object of the College Fund is stated to be
“to form a charitable foundation for the advancement of learning,
and in aid of the Education Fund. Its ultimate purpose will be the
purchase of ground, and construction of suitable buildings
thereupon, for the permanent use of the College; as well as to
provide all necessary articles of furniture, books, a philosophical
apparatus, and whatever else may be requisite for the full
accomplishment of the objects of the Institution.” In the
meantime, until the buildings were constructed, house-rent and
other current expenditures would be paid out of this fund. The
amount subscribed to the “Education Fund” would be
appropriated to the education of pupils, and expense of tuition.
According to the amount of subscription, paid on or before the 21 st
May 1817 (being the anniversary of die day on which it was agreed
to establish this Institution), the subscribers were to be placed in
different categories. The highest single contributor would be
designated the “Chief Founder”; those paying Rs.5,(MX) or
upwards, the “Principal Founders;” all other subscribers,
"Founders of the College.” The “Heritable Governor of the
College” should be one who would contribute “Rs. 5,000 or
upwards, to the College Fund before the aggregate sum of a lakh
and a half of sicca rupees might have been subscribed to that
Fund.” Members of the Managing Committee, called in the Rules
as “Directors” or “Managers” would be elected annually from
lunongst subscribers of a certain amount. This is clearly expressed
in the following rule:
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“Subscribers to the College Fund, who are not governors, and
whose joint or separate subscriptions to it (made before a lakh
and a half of sicca rupees shall have been contributed to it),
shall collectively amount to 5,000 rupees, shall be entitled to
elect any one of their members to be a Director of the College.”
Privileges of the subscribers have been described in some other
rules. The Directors would determine their privileges when they
would meet after their election.
The third section, “Government,” contains nine rules (26-34). The
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Government of the College would be vested in a Committee of
Managers, consisting of “Heritable Governors, Governors for
Life, Annual Directors, or their respective Deputies”. The
Managers should “possess full powers to carry into effect the
whole of the rules now established. They shall pass also additional
Reprinted from Modem Review
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rules.” They would be the trustees of both the College and the
Education Fund. The Committee of Managers would be the
appointing authority in all cases. Three Managers would form a
quorum in the committee -meetings, and all affairs would be
decided by a majority of votes. The thirty-fourth rule lays down
the compulsory convention of an annual general meeting of the
subscribers, “at which a report shall be made to them of the state
of the funds and of the progress of the Institution.”
In accordance with the Rules, the Managing Committee of the
proposed Hindu College was constituted with two Heritable
Govemors-Maharajadhiraj Tej Chand Bahadur of Burdwan and
Gopeemohun Tagore of Pathuriaghata, Calcutta, and five
Directors or Managers, namely, Ganganarain Das, Radhamadhab
Banerjea, Joykissen Singh, Gopeemohan Deb and Harimohan
Tagore. Tej Chand very rarely attended the committee meetings.
The Committee began its work immediately. The first meeting of
the Committee of Managers was held on the 4th December, 1816,
at the house of Sir E.H. East. Five members attended the meeting,
the absentees being Tej Chand and Harimohan Tagore.
The Committee appointed James Isaac D’ Anselme of
Chandemagore, Headmaster, on a salary of Rs.200 per mensem.
Lieut. Francis Irvine was appointed at this meeting European
Secretary and Superintendent with a monthly salary of Rs.300
subject to the permission of the Local Government, and Baidya
Nath Mukherjee, Native Secretary, Superintendent and
Accountant on a monthly salary of Rs.100. The next meeting of
the Committee came off at the same place on the 12th December.
Several other teachers and monitors were appointed and formal
matters transacted. The Committee approved of the draft of a letter
to be sent to the Governor-General seeking his permission to allow
Francis Irvine to serve the Institution. The letter was sent to the
proper quarters.
The Committee held two subsequent meetings, one on the 6th and
the other on the 13th January 1817, and finalised the way in which
the College was to be founded.
The site for the College was selected at No.304, Chitpore Road, the
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house of Gorachand Bysack, on a monthly rental. Thirteen ‘free’
scholars were ready for admission on account-of the subscriptions
to the Education Fund by some gentlemen. Francis Irvine was
permitted to serve in the College in a letter written on behalf of the
Governor-General to the Committee. The letter, however,
expressly stated that in signifying “his Lordship’s permission to
accept the office of Secretary and Superintendent of the
Institution, his Lordship desires it to be fully understood that his
acquiescence implies no sanction of the exercise of European
interposition or influence in the selection and appointment of the
officers of the Institution.” The formal opening of the College in
its school department was fixed for 20th January 1817.
— Jogeschandra Bagal
Courtesy: Presidency Alumni Association Calcutta, Kolkata 700073
Courtesy: Presidency Alumni Association Calcutta, Kolkata 700073