द ब्यूटीफुल ट्री: १८वीं सदी में भारत की स्वदेशी गुरुकुल शिक्षा (धर्मपाल)

country, been taught in Sanscrit; and it has ever in India, been
deemed below the dignity of science, for her professors to barter
it for hire. Lessons in Theology, Astronomy, Logic and Law,
continue to be given gratuitously as of old, by a few learned
Bramins, to some of their disciples. But learning, though, it may
proudly decline to sell its stores, has never flourished in any
country, except under the encouragement of the ruling power
and the countenance and support, once given to science in this
part of India, have long been withheld.
21. Of the 533 institutions for education, now existing in
this district, I am ashamed to say not one now derives any
support from the state. I have therefore received, with peculiar
satisfaction, the inquiries instituted by the Honorable the
Governor-in-Council, on this interesting subject; and trust that
this part of India may benefit from the liberality which dictated
the record of his intention, to grant new funds where the same
may be deemed expedient, and to restore to their original
purpose, all funds diverted from this source.
22. There is no doubt that in former times, especially under
the Hindoo Governments very large grants, both in money, and
in land, were issued for the support of learning. Considerable
Yeomiahs, or grants of money, now paid to Bramins from my
treasury, and many of the numerous and valuable Shotrium
villages, now in the enjoyment of Bramins in this district, who
receive one-fourth, one-third, one-half, two-thirds, and
sometimes the whole, of their annual revenue, may, I think, be
traced to this source. Though it did not consist with the dignity
of learning to receive from her votaries hire; it has always in
India been deemed the duty of Government to evince to her the
highest respect, and to grant to her those emoluments which she
could not, consistently with her character receive from other
sources; the grants issued by former governments, on such
occasions, contained, therefore, no unbecoming stipulations on
conditions. They all purport to flow from the free bounty of the
ruling power, merely to aid the maintenance of some holy or
learned man, or to secure his prayers for the state. But they
were almost universally granted to learned or religious persons,
who maintained a school 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.
192

23. The British Government, with its distinguished
    liberality, has continued all grants of this kind and even in many
    cases where it was evident that they were merely of a personal
    nature. But they have not, until now, intimated any intention to
    enforce the implied, but now dormant, condition of these grants.
    The revenue of the original grantee has descended, without
    much inquiry, to his heirs. But his talents and acquirements
    have not been equally hereditary, and the descendants of the
    original grantees will rarely be found to possess either their
    learning, or powers of instruction. Accordingly, considerable
    alienations of revenue, which formerly did honor to the state, by
    upholding and encouraging learning, have deteriorated, under
    our rule, into the means of supporting ignorance; whilst science
    deserted by the powerful aid she formerly received from
    government, has often been reduced to beg her scanty and
    uncertain meal from the chance benevolence of charitable
    individuals; and it would be difficult to point out any period in
    the history of India, when she stood more indeed of the proffered
    aid of government, to raise her from the degraded state into
    which she has fallen, and dispel the prevailing ignorance which
    so unhappily pervades the land.
24. At a former period, I recollect, that the government, on
    the recommendation of the College Board, authorised the late Mr
    Ross, then Collector in the neighbouring district of Cuddapah, to
    establish experimental schools with the view of improving the
    education of the natives; but the lamented death of that zealous
    and able public officer led to the abandonment of a plan, to
    which his talents and popularity in the country were peculiarly
    calculated to give success. As Secretary to the college, and to
    your Board, I was, at that time, a warm advocate for such
    experiment; and, if now allowed, I should gladly attempt to
    superintend some arrangement of that kind, in my present
    provincial situation.
25. I would propose the appointment of an able Shastry
    from amongst the Law students at the college, with an addition
    to his existing pay of only 10 pagodas per mensem, to be placed
    under me at the principal station of the district, to instruct
    gratuitously all who chose to attend him, in the Hindoo sciences
    in the Sanscrit language, and the native school masters, in the
    grammar of the Teloogoo and Carnataca tongues, being those
    vernacular here; such a man I have no doubt that I could soon
    obtain from the college; for, if one with all the requisite
    qualifications is not at present attached to the institution, there
    193

are many that I know there who can speedily qualify themselves
for it in a very short time.
26. Subordinate to this man and liable to his periodical
visitations, I would recommend that seventeen school masters,
for Teloogoo and Carnataca, be entertained, at from 7 to 14
rupees each per mensem to be stationed at the seventeen Cusba
stations under each of my Amildars, and liable to their
supervision, to teach gratuitously these languages. Their lowest
pay might be fixed at 7 rupees, and might be raised, by fixed
gradations, with the increasing number of their scholars, as high
as the maximum above stated. All of these might be selected
from the best informed of the present school masters here; but,
with reference to the low state of knowledge amongst the present
persons of that class, most of them will previously require
instruction from the Head Shastry, in grammar, etc. Though
forbidden to demand money all such masters should be allowed
to receive any presents their scholars may offer to them;
particularly those usual, on entering or quitting school.
27. The highest expense of such an institution would be
273 rupees, the lowest 154 rupees per mensem. The first
expense must necessarily be borne by government, who alone
are able to originate, and, at first support, such a plan. But
proper steps may be taken to engage in it the aid of the more
opulent classes of the community, and if practicable to induce
them, in due time, willingly to contribute to the support of such
schools. Indeed, I have little doubt that the plan would soon
carry with it the united consent, and grateful approbation, of the
more respectable and well informed of the inhabitants at large.
28. It would also greatly accelerate the progress and
efficiency of such schools, if Government were to appropriate a
moderate annual sum, to the purpose of preparing and printing,
at the college press, or elsewhere, suitable books for the use of
these schools, in the prose, or common, dialects, of the Teloogoo
and Carnataca languages; on the principle stated by me in a
former part of this letter. These should consist of selections from
the most approved native school books, fables, proverbs, etc.,
now in use in the schools or well known in the country to the
exclusion, in the first instance, of all new publications whatever.
Books of a popular and known character, intelligible to all who
read, would thus be procurable at a cheaper rate, and in more
194

correct state, than at present, and the teachers might be
employed to dispose of them at low prices.
29. If public examinations once a year were instituted
before the Head Shastry, and small premiums of badges of
distinction were distributed, for the purpose of rewarding, on
such occasions, those who are most advanced, a suitable effect
might be produced, and a powerful stimulus afforded to the
students.
30. To cover the first expense of these schools, and to
provide further for their gradual extension, if found, advisable,
without entailing any additional or new expense on government,
it might be provided, that, on the demise of any persons now
holding Yeomiahs or alienated lands, a new inquiry be instituted;
and that, though the same may have been continued for more
than one generation by the British Government, it be resumed,
and carried to a new fund, to be termed the school 'fund' (to
which the proposed expense should also be debited), unless it is
clearly stated that the body of the original grant to be
'hereditary', on the intention of the ruling power at the time to
make such grant hereditary, be clearly proved to the satisfaction
of government.
31. If an arrangement of this kind is sanctioned, I have
little doubt that, in a few years, the receipts from such a fund
would more than counterbalance the disbursement. But even if
they did not, the charge would be comparatively trifling. The
enactments of the British Parliament contemplate such a charge.
The known liberality of the authorities in England on this
subject ensure to it sanction: the supreme government have set
the example; and, the Provincial functionaries in the Madras
territories ought perhaps to take blame to themselves; that they
have waited to be called upon, before they stood forth as the
organ of public opinion, in a matter of such importance and
universal interest; I sincerely hope that it will not, as before, be
allowed to sink into oblivion; but that the information submitted
by the several Collectors, will enable your Board and the
government, to mature, from their suggestions, some practical,
or at least some experimental plan for the improvement of
education, and the support of learning in Southern India.
Bellary, A.D. Campbell,
17th August 1823. Collector.
(Statement on following page)
195

XX
COLLECTOR, RAJAMUNDRY TO BOARD OF REVENUE:
19.9.1823
(TNSA: BRP: Vol.963, Pro.2.10.1823, pp.8520-25 Nos.29-30)

1. I have the honor to submit the information called for in
   your Deputy Secretary’s letter dated 25th July 1822, together
   with a statement in the prescribed form of the number of native
   schools in this Collectorate and of the number of scholars.
2. I also take the liberty to forward another statement
   which being in more detail and containing some additional
   heads of information may probably be found of some use.
3. If these statements are at all to be depended upon, and
   (they are founded on very minute returns of my public servants)
   the actual state of education in this district must be pronounced
   anything but satisfactory inasmuch as it would appear that out
   of 1,200 villages composing the zillah of Rajamundry and total
   population of 7,38,308 souls there are 207 villages only in which
   reading and writing are taught, the number of schools in the
   villages in question being 291 and the number of scholars, Hin-
   doos and Mussulman 2,658. The time that scholars usually
   continue at school varies from 5 to 7 years. The fifth day of the
   fifth month of the fifth year of the boy’s age is the ‘lucky day’ for
   his first entrance into school. The monthly charge to the
   scholars is as high as one rupee each in some places and as low
   as two annas in others, but the average rate may be stated at 7
   annas. I have not found that any of the schools are endowed by
   the public.
4. The number of colleges, or rather teachers* of Theology,
   Law, Astronomy, etc., is 279, the number of scholars 1,454. The
   particulars are as follows (see next page).
   The teachers of the Vedum here alluded to are not
   generally men of much science. The scholar is barely taught so
   much of the Vedum as will enable him to perform the usual
   196

Table 36
*Ts: Teachers; Ss: Scholars
ceremonies of his religion, nor is it thought at all essential that
he should understand what little he does read. Hence it happens
that this class of people are often very deficient in their
education.
5. Of the total number of 279 teachers mentioned above 69
possess allowances in land and 13 in money both the one and
the other being granted by former Zemindars. 196 individuals
teach their scholars without fee or reward and 1 person is
supported by his scholars.
6. In those villages under my immediate management
where there are no schools, I have found the inhabitants very
willing to have such established among them, but some
assistance from government will be necessary to set things
agoing, say monthly allowance of 2 rupees to each teacher, the
scholars to make up the remainder. I shall be prepared to
address your Board more fully upon the subject should this
proposal meet your approval.
Zillah Rajamundry, F.W. Robertson,
Mugaluteer, 19th Sept. 1823. Collector.
(Statements on following pages)
197

198

199

200

201

NAMES OF THE BOOKS IN USE AT THE SCHOOLS AND
COLLEGES AT RAJAMUNDRY
Schools

1. Baula Ramauyanum Vadahs, etc.
2. Rookmeny Culleyanum 1. Roogvadum
3. Paurejantahpatraranum 2. Yajoorvadum
4. Molly Ramauyanum 3. Samavadum
5. Raumayanum 4. Sroudum
6. Dansarady Satacum 5. Dravedavedum or
7. Kreestna Satacum . Nunlauyanum
8. Soomaty Satacum
9. Janakey Satacum Sastrums
10. Prasunnaragara Satacum 1. Sanscrit Grammar
11. Ramataraka Satacum Siddhanda Cowmoody
12. Bahscara Satacum 2.
    Turkum
13. Beesanavecausa Satacum 3. Jeyoteshem
14. Beemalingaswara Satacum 4. Durmasastrum
15. Sooreyanaraina Satacum
16. Narraina Satacum Cauveyems
17. Plaholanda Charetra 1. Ragoovamsam
18. Vasoo Charetra 2. Coomarasumbhavem
19. Manoo Charetra 3. Moghasundasem
20. Sumunga Charetra 4. Bhauravy
21. Nala Charetra 5. Maukhum
22. Vamana Charetra 6. Naveshadum
23. Ganintum 7. Andasastrum
24. Pauvooloory Ganintum
25. Bhauratam English Books in its Schools
26. Bhaugavatum
27. Vejia Velausum Persian Schools
28. Kroostnaleelan Velausum 1. Caremah
29. Rathamathava Velausum Aumadunnanmah
30. Suptama Skundum 2. Harckarum in Persian
31. Astma Skundum 3. Insah Culipha and
32. Rathamathava Sumvadum Goolstan
33. Bhaunoomaly Paranayem 4. Bahurdanish and Bostan
34. Veerabhadra Vejayem 5. Abdul Phazaul Inshah
35. Leelansoondary Paronayem 6. Calipha
36. Amarum 7. Khoran
37. Sooranthanaswarum
38. Voodeyagapurvem
39. Audepurvem
40. Gajandra Motchum
41. Andhranamasungraham
42. Coochalopurksyanum
43. Resekajana Manobharanum
    Zillah Rajahmundry, F.W. Robertson,
    Mongultoor, 19th September, 1823. Collector.
    202

XXI
PRINCIPAL COLLECTOR, MALABAR TO BOARD OF
REVENUE:
5.8.1823
(TNSA: BRP: Vol.957, Pro.14.8.1823, pp.6949-55 Nos.52 & 53)
(A) 1. I have the honor to submit a statement showing the
number of schools and colleges in this Collectorate, to which I
have annexed an Account of the individuals who study Theology,
Astronomy, etc., under private tutors.
(B) 2. With respect to the only college entered in the
statement now sent, I beg to transmit Translation of a
Memorandum received from the Zamorin Rajah, which contains
the best information I could collect respecting it.
3. The school masters receive monthly from each scholar
from one quarter to four rupees, according to their respective
means, independent of some remuneration when a scholar
leaves the school. The private teacher who gives lessons in
Theology, Law, etc., does not receive any monthly or annual
allowance but a present or compensation when the pupils leave
him according to the circumstances and means of each.
Principal Collector's Office, J. Vaughan,
Calicut, 5th August, 1823. Principal Collector.
(Statement and translation on following pages)
203

204

Translation of memorandum received from the Zamorin Rajah:
B. In the beginning the Bramins of Malabar used to be
instructed in Religion at the Chetroms (or Temples) nearest to
their houses by the teachers of that time, but it was
apprehended that learning after that manner would not be
attended with advantage. A consultation was therefore held by
the Bramins, when it was determined that a College should be
instituted for the purposes of instructing all persons in the
principles of Religion. A spot of ground (adjacent to the river) to
the southward of Teroonavya Chetrom in Terooina: nisherynad
Hobby, Cootnad Talook, was fixed upon for the proposed
building and all of them waited on and reported the
circumstance to our ancestor the then reigning Rajah who
caused a College to be built at his expense on the spot pointed
out by them, and ordered that all persons residing in it should
be furnished with their daily meal and oil, and further, ordered a
store house to be built and the appointment of a person to be
incharge of the same—the Bramins accordingly, (agreeable to the
respective means of each) allotted for this purpose a certain
portion of rice lands, and Achipora Erkara Namboory was by
general consent, chosen Instructor in the college for whose
subsistence some further rice lands were given by the Bramins
and from that time the members of that family continue holding
the above employment. This is what I have heard my ancestors
and the Bramins say. There is no document containing an
account of the foregoing transaction. The number of persons to
be admitted in the college is not limited; everybody desirous of
availing himself of it will be admitted and provided for. Formerly,
the number of persons who resorted to the college for instruction
amounted from 100 to 120 daily. In the year 949 when a
foreigner invaded the country, he caused several temples and
dwellings to be destroyed and the above college was demolished
on that occasion and the rice lands allotted for the support of it,
assessed by his order in consequence of which the Bramins
found it impossible to live in this country and therefore all of
them repaired to Rama Rajah’s country (Travancore) and
consequently the learning of the Vethom was altogether
discontinued in Malabar. It being a very great sin for the
Bramins to be ignorant of their religious tenets, they and the
Namboory who was appointed their Instructor went and
represented to Rama Rajah this circumstance when that Rajah
ordered a college to be established in his country adjoining to
the Teroona Kare Chetrom, and allotted the necessary allowance
for the subsistence of the learners, who there continued being
instructed without any interruption till the year 966. When the
205

invader was expulsed from Malabar by the Honorable Company
who extended their protection throughout the country the
emigrant Bramins thereupon returned to this country and
resumed their former habitations but the destruction of their
college and the decayed state of the landed property allotted for
its support precluded them from deriving the benefit of that
institution in the manner they formerly did, which was a source
of much grievance to them. Accordingly, they represented the
circumstance to the Rajah, my uncle. Although according to the
then existing state of affairs no great assistance could be given
yet he resolved to do to the utmost in his power considering that
it was an institution established by his ancestors and that the
existence of it would tend to render the Rajah and his subjects
prosperous. Accordingly he ordered their college to be rebuilt
and furnished it as well with every (thing) necessary as the
means of maintaining the Instructor and his pupils, which has
been continued by me. The produce of the lands appertaining to
the college, after deducting the revenue payable to the Sirkar is
hardly sufficient for one month’s expense. Consequently,
whatever is wanted is supplied by me; about 2,000 rupees for
the support of the pupils and 200 rupees for that of the
Instructor are paid by me every year. This is what obtains at
present. With the exception of Religion no other science is taught
in the college. There was in ancient times at Choanoor in
Talpallynad a college with lands assigned for its support in
which several Bramins were instructed in the Shastram, and
when they left the college after acquiring a competent proficiency
they were admitted in the Tallel Chetrom at Calicut on an
annual allowance of 101 fanams each. The number of
individuals thus admitted consisted from 70 to 80. On the
introduction of revenue the lands which afforded the above
allowance ceased to yield it and the means of the estate became
much reduced, in consequence of which the above allowance as
well as the instruction was discontinued. On which the Bramins
came and represented their grievance whereupon a teacher was
entertained here who has always had some pupils under him.
The Tallil allowance also is continued but on a reduced scale.
Dated 10th Karkaddayom 998 M.S.
No signature in the original
True Translation
J. Vaughan.
206

XXII
COLLECTOR, SALEM TO BOARD OF REVENUE:
8.7.1823
(TNSA: BRP: Vol.No.954, Pro.14th Jul. 1823, No.50, pp.5908-10)

1. I have the honor to submit the accompanying statement
   as called for by your Board in their instructions of the 25th July
3. From the statement it appears that only 4,650, persons
   receive education out of a population of above ten lacs—which is
   only a fraction more than four and a quarter per Mille—and
   proves the bad and contracted state of public instructions.
4. The period which scholars usually continue at school is
   from three to five years according to the ability of their friends to
   maintain them there and their own aptitude to learn—the yearly
   charge to the scholars is never less than three rupees a year—in
   the Hindoo schools—and in the Mussulman schools the charge
   amounts to fifteen and twenty rupees. None of the Hindoo
   schools are endowed by the public—and only one Mussulman
   school has land yielding rupees 20 per annum allowed for it’s
   support—a former master of this school possessed a Yeomiah
   paid monthly by the Collector amounting to fifty-six rupees a
   year—on his death this allowance was discontinued by my
   Predecessor as it was held only on a life tenure.
5. In the talooks of Abtoor, Namkul, Salem and Parmutty
   there are twenty teachers of Theology, Law and Astronomy—to
   the support of whom are attached Enam lands calculated to
   yield rupees 1,109 per annum. These lands are almost entirely
   under cultivation—and the possessors perform the duties for
   which they were originally granted.
6. Besides the above Enam lands there are other lands
   yielding rupees 384, per annum, in the talooks of Raizepoor and
   Sankerry-Droog—which were sequestered by Tippoo the year
   previous to the secession of the country and which have since
   been included in the Revenue of Government.
7. Considering education as the best means of preventing
   crimes in the people whether servants of government or
   207

otherwise (and which opinion, is strongly expressed in the 7th
Para of your Board’s Report to government under date the 11th
December 1815), and viewing the defective state of education in
this district as the fruitful source of much crime, I shall with the
sanction of your Board, be prepared to offer such suggestions
and to propose the establishment of such funds—as will tend to
promote education in some degree more adequate to the demand
for it.
Cutcherry of the Collector of Salem, [blank_space] M.D. Cockburn,
8th July, 1823. [blank_space] Collector.
(Statement on next page)
208

209

XXIII
COLLECTOR, GUNTUR TO BOARD OF REVENUE:
9.7.1823
(TNSA: BRP: Vol.954, Pro.14.7.1823, No.49, pp.5904-7)

1. In reply to your Deputy Secretary Mr Viveash's letter of
   the 25th July last, I have the honor to transmit a statement
   showing the number of schools in which reading and writing are
   taught together with the number of scholars in them, and which
   has been prepared according to the form accompanying the
   above letter.
2. With regard to the information called for by the
   government in their letter of the 2nd July, 1822, I have to
   observe that the scholars generally assemble in the morning at 6
   o'clock and stay until nine and then go to their houses to take
   their morning meal and return again to school within 11 o'clock
   and continue until 2 or 3 o'clock in the evening, and again to
   their respective houses to eat their rice and return by 4 o'clock
   and continue until 7 o'clock in the evening. The morning and
   evening generally are the times for reading and afternoon for
   writing.
3. The charge to the scholars chiefly depends on the
   circumstances of the fathers or persons who put them to school
   and is found to vary from 2 annas to 2 rupees per mensem for
   each boy and this is the only charge that can be shown, as the
   boys are only sent to the schools in their own villages and live at
   home.
4. It appears that there are no schools in the zillah which
   are endowed by the public and no colleges for teaching Theology,
   Law, Astronomy, etc., in this district; these sciences are privately
   taught to some scholars or disciples generally by the Bramins
   learned in them, without payment of any fee or reward, and that
   the Bramins who teach are generally maintained by means of
   Mauneom land which have been granted to their ancestors by
   the ancient Zemindars of this zillah, and by the former
   governments on different accounts, but there appears no
   instance in which the Native Governments have granted
   allowances in money and land merely for the maintenance of the
   teachers for giving instruction in the above sciences. By the
   information
   210

which has been got together on this subject, it appears that
there are 171 places where Theology, Law and Astronomy, etc.,
are taught privately, and the number of disciples in them is 939.
The readers of these sciences cannot generally get teachers in
their respective villages and are therefore obliged to go to others.
In which cases if the reader belongs to a family that can afford to
support him he gets what is required for his expenses from his
home and which is estimated at 3 rupees per month, but which
is only sufficient to supply him with his victuals; and if on the
other hand his family is in too indigent circumstances to make
such allowance, the student procures his daily subsistence from
the houses in the village, where taught, which willingly furnish
such by turns.
5. Should people be desirous of studying deeper in
Theology, etc., than is taught in these parts, they travel to
Benares, Navadweepum, etc., where they remain for years to
take instructions under the learned Pundits of those places.
Guntoor Zillah, J.C. Whish,
Bauputtah, 9th July, 1823. Collector.
(Statement on following page)
211