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

XXVIII
COLLECTOR, MADRAS TO BOARD OF REVENUE:
12.2.1825
(TNSA: BRP: Vol 1011, Pro.14.2.1825 No.46 pp.1193-94)
With reference to my letter of the 13th November 1822 I
have the honor to forward another statement of schools, which I
consider to be more correct, and to submit that it may be
substituted for the one transmitted with the letter to which I
have before referred.
Madras Cutcherry, L.G.K. Murray,
12th February 1825. Collector.
(Statement on following page)
229

230

XXIX
BOARD OF REVENUE TO CHIEF SECRETARY TO
GOVERNMENT:
21.2.1825
(TNSA: BRP: Vol.1011, No.46 Pro.21.2.1825 pp.1412-26)

1. With reference to the instruction of government conveyed
   in a letter from the Secretary to government in the Revenue
   Department under date the 2nd July 1822 and to Mr Secretary
   Stoke's letter of the 21st ultimo, I am directed by the Board of
   Revenue to submit for the information of the Honorable the
   Governor-in-Council the correspondence noted in the margin
   regarding the actual state of education in the Provinces under
   this government.
   Circular to all Collectors dated 25th July 1822
   From the Collector of Ganjam dated 27 October in
   consultations: 6th November 1823.
   From the Collector of Vizagapatam 14th April in
   consultations: 1st May 1823
   From the Collector of Rajahmundry 19th September in
   consultations: 2nd October 1823
   From the Collector of Masulipatam 3rd September in
   consultations: 13th January 1823
   From the Collector of Guntoor 9th September in
   consultations: 14th July 1823
   From the Collector of Nellore 23rd June in consultations:
   30th June 1823
   From the Collector of Bellary 17th June in consultations:
   25th August 1823
   From the Collector of Cuddapah 11th June in
   consultations: 17th February 1825
   From the Collector of Chingleput 3rd June in consultations:
   7th April 1823
   231

From the Principal Collector in the Northern Division of
Arcot 3rd June in consultations: 10th March 1823.
From the Principal Collector in Southern Division of Arcot
29th June in consultations: 7th July 1823
From the Collector of Salem 8th June in consultations:
14th July 1823
From the Principal Collector of Tanjore 28th June in
consultations: 3rd July 1823
From the Collector of Trichinopoly 23rd June in
consultations: 28th August 1823
From the Collector of Madura 5th February in
consultations: 13th February 1823
From the Collector of Tinnevelly 18th October in
consultations: 28th October 1822 & 7th November in
consultations: 18th November 1822
From the Principal Collector of Coimbatore 23rd November
in consultations: 2nd December 1822
From the Principal Collector of Malabar 5th August in
consultations: 14th August 1823
From the Principal Collector of Canara 27th August in
consultations: 5th September 1822
From the Assistant Collector of Seringapatam 29th October
in consultation: 4th November 1822
From the Collector of Madras 13th October in
consultations: 14th November 1822 & 12th October in
consultations: 14th February 1825
2. An abstract statement prepared from the reports of the
several Collectors' is also submitted for the purpose of exhibiting
at one view the information required by the government.
3. This abstract is in the Form transmitted by government,
with an additional column showing the amount of population in
each district according to the Census as some of the Collectors
have stated the numbers differently. Under the head of remarks
the information required by the government regarding the time
232

which scholars usually continue at school, the monthly or yearly
charge to the scholars and other particulars is concisely stated.
4. It will be observed that the schools now existing in the
country are for the most part supported by the payments of the
people who send their children to them for instruction. The rate
of payment for each scholar varies in different districts and
according to the different circumstance of the parents of the
pupils, from 1 anna to 4 rupees per mensem, the ordinary rate
among the poorer classes appears to be generally about 4 annas,
and seldom to exceed ½ rupee.
5. In a few districts only there are endowments for the
support of schools and colleges. In Rajahmundry 69 teachers of
Sciences possess endowments in land, and 13 allowances in
money granted by former Zemindars. In Nellore certain
individuals, Bramins and Mussulmans, are in possession of
allowances in land and money granted by the Carnatic
Government for teaching the Vedas, etc., and Arabic and Persian
respectively to the amount of rupees 1,467 per annum.
In the Northern Division of Arcot, 28 colleges are supported
by mauniums and Marahs granted by former governments
yielding rupees 516 per annum, and 6 Persian schools are
maintained at the public expense at an annual charge of rupees
1,861. In Salem Enam lands estimated to yield rupees 1,109 per
annum are appropriated to the support of 20 teachers of
Theology, etc., and one Mussulman school has land allowed for
its support yielding annually 20 rupees. In Tanjore 44 schools
and 71 colleges are supported by His Highness the Rajah—There
is no school, or college, endowed particularly by the Circar but
there are free schools maintained by the Mission established in
Tanjore which possess a Survamanniam, the annual value
whereof is estimated at 1,100 rupees. In the District of
Trichinopoly there are 7 schools which possess endowments in
land to the extent of 46 cawnies supported by the Zamorin Rajah
which has also some land attached granted by former
governments. In Malabar there is one college to it.
6. It does not appear from the Reports of the Collectors that
any public endowments for the advancement of learning have
been diverted from their original purpose or resumed except in
Salem and Coimbatore. The Collector of Salem says that lands
yielding rupees 384 formerly devoted to this object were
sequestered before the acquisition of the country by the British
233

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.
7. 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
234

by the wants of the people in the respect to education and
should not in any degree depend upon the accidental
circumstance of the amount of a particular fund being great or
less in different situations.
8. The Board think it proper to offer this remark in regard
to the suggestion of Mr Campbell which has just been noticed,
but it appears to them to be unnecessary at this time to discuss
the plan proposed by him for the improvement of education and
his general speculations on the subject conceiving it to be the
desire of government at present only to receive information
regarding the actual state of education in order that it may be
seen what are the deficiencies to be supplied.
9. That these deficiencies are lamentably great is shown in
every one of the reports now submitted, and the general result of
the whole from which it appears that out of a population
estimated by the Census at above 12 million and a half only
about 1,88,000 are receiving instruction or about 13¾ percent is
most unsatisfactory.
10. It will be remarked that no statement is submitted of
the number of schools, etc., in Canara. The late Principal
Collector reported that education is conducted in that district so
much in private that any statement of the number of schools
and of the scholars attending them would be of little or no use,
but on the contrary rather fallacious in forming an estimate of
the proportion of the population receiving instruction. He stated
generally that there are no colleges in Canara for the cultivation
of ‘abstract Science, neither are there any fixed schools and
masters to teach in them. There is no instance known of any
institution of the above descriptions having even received
support in any shape from the former government.’
11. Notwithstanding the observations of Mr Harris the
Board have thought it proper to call again upon the present
Principal Collector to furnish a Statement of Schools, etc.,
prepared in the form transmitted by government which shall be
submitted to the Hon’ble the Governor-in-Council as soon as it
is received.
Fort St. George, J. Dent,
21st February, 1825. Secretary.
(Statement on following pages)
235

236

237

238

239

240

241

REMARKS
Ganjam:
There are no schools or colleges in this district endowed by
the Circar. The teachers in the schools are paid monthly by the
scholars at various rates from 4 annas to 1 rupee each. The
Shastras, etc., are usually taught privately to Bramins. The
statement is not complete in respect to the Hill Zemindaries from
which satisfactory accounts could not be procured.
Vizagapatam:
It does not appear that there are any colleges in this
district. The schools are not endowed by the public; 2 only are
stated to receive a payment from the Zemindar of Chamoodoo at
the rate of 50 rupees annually. The teachers are paid at various
rates from one anna to 1 rupee for each scholar per mensem.
Private teachers in families of respectability are paid a monthly
or yearly stipend according to their acquirement and the rank
and opulence of their employer.
Rajahmundry:
Some of the schools in this district are endowed by the
public. The teachers are paid by the scholars at rates varying
from 1 rupee to 2 annas, 7 annas being the average rate per
mensem. The scholars are entered at school in their fifth year
and continue at their studies from 5 to 7 years. The number of
professors or teachers of the Sciences is 279; of these 69 possess
allowances in land and 13 in money granted by former
Zemindars; 196 teach their scholars without fee or reward and
only one is supported by his scholars. In the villages in which no
schools at present exist the inhabitants are desirous of having
them established. It might be done with a small contribution
from government to the pay of the teachers. The Collector
considered 2 rupees a month to each to be sufficient.
Masulipatam:
None of the institutions for the purpose of education in this
district appear to have been regularly endowed. One Charity
School only is supported at Ellore by the Zemindar by the
payment of a monthly stipend of 3 pagodas to the teacher. The
scholars usually enter in the schools in their 5th year and
continue in them until they are from 12 to 16 years of age. The
greater proportion are then employed on public or private
242

business, the Vedika Bramins only being removed from schools
to college for the purpose of being instructed in Theology and
other Sciences. The charges on account of a boy at school are
about the average of 6 annas for paper, cadjan, etc., and from 4
annas to 2 rupees to the school master monthly. The Sciences
are taught in the colleges generally gratis by Bramins holding
Mauniums, etc. Some teachers, however, are supported by
contributions from their scholars but receive no fixed allowance.
The average charge to a scholar at college for his subsistence,
books, etc., is 60 rupees per annum. In most parts of the
country instruction in the Vedas, etc., is also given by the
Bramins privately. The schools in which the Persian language is
taught are few. Mussulman scholars remain at school from 6
years of age to 15, the pay of the teachers is from ¼ to 1 rupee
and the other charges of the scholars are estimated at 4 annas a
month; some learned Mussulmans give instruction gratis.
Guntoor:
There are no schools in this district endowed by the public
and no colleges for instruction in the Sciences. The Sciences are
taught privately by learned Bramins without any remuneration.
These Bramins generally hold mauniums, etc., granted by the
ancient Zemindars and by the former governments for various
reasons, but there is no instance of any grant in money or land,
specially for the purpose of maintaining teachers of the Sciences.
The charge for the education of a boy at school varies from 2
annas to 2 rupees monthly. Three rupees a month is requisite
for the subsistence of a scholar while he is studying the
Sciences.
Nellore:
This statement gives the number of schools in the district
not endowed by the public. There are besides 26 individuals who
have scholars as shown by a separate statement B viz. 15
Bramins, and 11 Mussulmans who are in possession of
allowances in money and land granted by the Carnatic
Government for teaching the Vedas, etc., and Arabic and Persian
respectively to the amount of rupees 1,467 per annum. Boys are
generally sent to school at 5 years of age where they are said to
remain from 3 to 6 years. The school master receives from 2
annas to 4 rupees monthly for each scholar. The scholar has
also to pay about one rupee for writing materials, etc., and his
subsistence is estimated at 3 rupees a month. Besides his fixed
allowance occasional presents are made by the scholars to their
teacher.
243

The schools are not all of permanent continuance—some depend
upon circumstances, schools being some times established by
the joint subscriptions of several families especially for the
education of their own children which being accomplished they
are discontinued. The difference between the amount of
population in this statement and in the report of the Census is
accounted for by the population of the Zemindaries being
included in the former and not in the latter.
Bellary:
None of the schools in this district at present derive
support from the state. There appear to be no regular colleges
but in 23 cases of instruction attended by Bramins exclusively
some of the Sciences, etc., are taught imperfectly in the Sanscrit
language. In the schools some children continue only 5 years,
while others whose parents are opulent not infrequently remain
as long as fourteen and fifteen years. It appears that the teacher
is paid at various rates according to the class to which the
scholar may belong—while learning the first rudiments it is
common for the scholar to pay a quarter of a rupee and when
arrived so far as to write on paper or at the higher branches of
Arithmetic half a rupee per mensem. But on proceeding further
such demands are made as exceed the means of most parents.
Their children are therefore left only partially instructed—and
there are multitudes who cannot avail themselves even of this
imperfect education for their children. The diffusion of common
instruction is said to be less extensive than it was formerly. In
many villages where formerly there were schools, there are now
none, and in many others where there were large schools, now
only a few of the children of the most opulent are taught, others
being unable from poverty to attend or to pay what is demanded.
Instructions in the Sciences is given gratuitously as of old, by a
few learned Bramins to their disciples.
Cuddapah:
There are in this District no public institutions for
education supported by grants of land or allowances from the
government, nor are any known to have existed. The schools
which exist are supported by the parents of the scholars. The
charge for instruction is variable rising as the scholar is
promoted from the lowest to the higher classes. The average for
the lowest class is about ¼ rupee per mensem, and increases to
1 rupee and 1½ rupee which rate it rarely exceeds. In the
Bramin caste, boys are put to school at the age of 5 or 6 and
among the Sudras at from
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6 to 8. Boys are said to be kept at school generally no longer
than 2 years in which time they are expected to have attained all
that they are desired to acquire, that is a certain degree of
knowledge of reading, writing and arithmetic in which they are
afterwards to improve themselves by practice at home, in a shop,
or in a public office. The only schools which can be denominated
public in this district are the charity schools at Cuddapah,
supported by the European gentlemen of the place. There are no
schools or colleges for instruction in the Sciences. Theology, Law
and Astronomy are taught privately, the pupils residing in the
houses of their preceptors. Besides the instruction afforded in
the schools to those whose parents are able to pay for it, it is
also given gratuitously in many places by Bramins to those of
their own caste who have no other means of obtaining it—young
Bramins for the sake of receiving instruction in this way, leave
their homes and wait upon the preceptor in his own village,
where they are supported by the daily charity of the Bramins
residing in it.
Chingleput:
There are no colleges properly so called in this district but
there are a few places in which the higher branches of learning
are taught to a small number of pupils—a village school master
earns from 3½ to 12 rupees per month—the average is not more
than 7 rupees. It does not appear that any allowance was made
by the Native Governments for the promotion of education but in
some villages there are trifling mauniums from a quarter of a
Cawny to 2 Cawnies of land for Theological teachers.
N.D. Arcot:
Of the 69 colleges in this district it appears by a separate
statement No.2 submitted by the Principal Collector that 43 are
for Theology, 24 for Law, etc., and 2 for Astronomy; 28 of these
colleges are supported by mauniums and marahs granted by
former governments yielding rupees 516 per annum—The
allowance to each teacher for the lower class is rupees 3-8- per
annum and for the higher class rupees 36-12-. Of the rest the
greater number are free of charge and a few are supported by
trifling contributions from the scholars. The period of attendance
at the colleges is from 8 to 12 years. Of the Hindoo schools only
3 are free of charge. The rest are supported by payments from
the scholars varying from 1 anna 3 pice per mensem to 1 rupee
12 annas. Of the Persian schools 6 are maintained at the public
expense at a yearly charge of rupees 1,361. The greater
245

proportion are supported by the scholars who pay from 2 annas
6 pice to 2 rupees a month to their teachers. In the Hindoo
schools the scholars continue 5 or 6 years, in the Mussulman
schools 7 or 8 years. Of the 7 English schools 3 are free of
charge and in the others the scholars pay monthly from 10
annas to 3 rupees 8 annas. It appears that this statement does
not include the Zemindaries and Pollams which form a large
portion of the district their population being estimated at nearly
3 lacs.
S.D. Arcot:
No allowance was ever granted by the Native Governments
for the support of schools in this district. There are no public or
private institutions for teaching Theology, Law, Astronomy, etc.
The schools are supported entirely by the scholars who pay from
1 fanam to 1 pagoda monthly.
Salem:
None of the Hindoo schools in this district are endowed by
the public and only one Mussulman school has land allowed for
its support yielding 20 rupees per annum; a Yeomiah was
enjoyed by a former master of this school amounting to 56
rupees a year. On his death it was discontinued having been on
a tenure for life. The period of attendance at school is from 3 to 5
years. The yearly charge for each scholar is never less than 3
rupees a year in the Hindoo schools and from 15 to 20 rupees in
the Mussulman schools. Enam lands estimated to yield rupees
1,109 per annum are appropriated to the support of 20 teachers
of Theology, Law and Astronomy, and the present possessors
perform the duties; other lands yielding rupees 384 per annum
were formerly devoted to the same object, but were sequestered
before the acquisition of the country by the British Government
and the produce of them has since been included in the
revenues of government.
Tanjore:
Of the schools in this district 44 are free schools. The rest
are supported by payments from the scholars at the rate of 4 D
fanams monthly for each—19 of the free schools belong to the
Missions and it is believed that there are more not included in
the Report. In 21 the masters are paid by the Rajah and in 1 by
the Trevalore Pagoda, in the remaining 23 the masters teach gra-
tuitously. There are none individually endowed by the Circar,
but for the general support of the Mission at Tanjore—there is a
Survamaunium of one village the annual value of which is
246

estimated at 1,100 rupees. The scholars are usually kept at
school about 5 years. Of the colleges in number 109 there are 99
in which instruction is given free of charge, of these 71 are
supported by the Rajah in the town of Tanjore and villages
belonging to his Highness; in 16 the masters teach gratuitously,
1 only is endowed with a maunium, 7 are supported by a
Pagoda, 3 by private donations and 1 by village contribution. In
the remaining 10 colleges the masters are paid by their scholars.
These colleges are for Bramins only. The Hindoo Sciences are
taught in them. The population of those villages only in which
there are schools is shown in this statement, not the general
population of the district.
Trichinopoly:
There are no schools or colleges in this district for the
support of which any public funds are appropriated and no
institution for teaching Astronomy, Theology or any other
Sciences. In the talook of Jyalore alone there are 7 schools which
were formerly endowed by the Native Government with between
46 and 47 Cawnies of land for the maintenance of the teachers.
The scholars generally continue at school from the age of 7 to
15. The average yearly expense of education is about 7 pagodas.
Madura:
It does not appear that any mauniam lands in this district
are assigned for the support of schools. The teachers are paid by
the poorer class of people from ½ fanam to 1 fanam for each
scholar monthly and from 2 to 3 and 5 fanams by those in better
circumstances—a teacher receives in this manner from 30 to 60
Cully fanams or from 2 to 3¾ pagodas a month in large villages
and from 10 to 30 fanams in small villages. Scholars usually
enter school at the age of 5 and leave it at from 12 to 15. There
are no colleges in this district. In Agraharam villages a small
portion of maunium land is usually allotted to those Bramins
who study the Vedas and they gratuitously instruct such pupils
as come to them.
Tinnevelly:
There appear to be no colleges in Tinnevelly.
Coimbatore:
The schools in this district appear to be supported entirely
by the people who send their children to them for instruction.
247

The annual payment for each scholar varies from 14 rupees to 3
rupees per annum, according to the circumstances of the
parents. The masters besides their regular stipends occasionally
receive presents from the parents of their pupils; they have also
small fees on particular occasions. The earliest age at which
boys attend school is 5 years; they continue there until they are
13 or 14. Those who study Theology, Law, etc., enter the colleges
at about 15 and continue to frequent them until they have
attained a competent knowledge of the Sciences or until they
obtain employment, a statement is given of mauniums, etc.,
granted in former times for the support of colleges, but now
resumed to the value of Rs. 2,208-7-.
Canara:
No statement.
Malabar:
In Malabar there is only one regular college for instruction
in the Sciences, but these are taught privately. The private
teachers are not paid a fixed stipend but presents are made to
them by their pupils when their education is completed. The
school masters receive monthly from each scholar from ¼ rupee
to 4 rupees independent of some remuneration when the scholar
leaves school. The only college which exists in this district was
established and is now supported by the Zamorin Rajah who
allows about 2,000 rupees annually for the maintenance of the
pupils and 200 rupees to the Instructor; some land also
appertains to it—a history of this college, furnished by the
Zamorin Rajah is submitted.
Seringapatam:
It is stated that there are no traces on records of
endowments in lands towards the support of colleges and
schools on the island of Seringapatam, having been granted by
any former government or private individual. The teachers in the
schools are supported by their scholars. The average monthly
charge for each scholar is 5 annas and the average annual
income of the masters from this source is about 57 rupees.
Madras:
In this statement two descriptions of schools are included,
native schools for the education of Hindoo and Mussulman
children respectively, and charity schools in which the scholars
248