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

111

IX COLLECTOR OF MADURA TO BOARD OF REVENUE: 5.2.1823 (TNSA: BRP—Vol.942, Pro.13.2.1823, pp.2402-406 No.21)

1. I had previous to the receipt of the instructions of government made some little inquiry into the state of the schools in this district and have endeavoured to ascertain, should their number be increased, if the poorer classes would be induced to bring their children to them, to be educated amongst the lower class; I see little hope of such an improvement. They say as they are poor, their children are better employed in attending bul- locks, etc., by which they gain a livelihood, than being at school. In the Fort of Madura and the different Cusbah villages some schools might be established with advantage. Many people of caste would, I have no doubt, send their children to such schools, and as the benefit derivable from education began gradually to develop itself, the numbers would increase. Five or 6 schools in the Fort of Madura, and 2 or 3 in each of the Cusbahs, granting the masters a small monthly salary of 30 to 40 fanams* would be sufficient, and I have no doubt the Heads of Villages would be induced to send their children there, which would render such establishments most desirable as very few Nattawkars throughout the district can either read or write, and are consequently totally dependent on the Curnams.
2. From the statement it would seem, that in a population of nearly 800,000, there are stated to be only 844 schools, and in them 13,781 children educated. That the number should be increased must be wished for.
3. From the several statements received from the different divisions, it does not appear that any Mauneom lands are enjoyed for the purpose of schools; but that the teachers are paid by the poorer classes of people from ½ to 1 fanam for each scholar per month, and from 2 to 3 and 5 fanams by those in better circumstances, and that a teacher derives from 30 to 60 cully fanams** per month in large villages, and from 10 to 30 fanams in small villages—scholars usually first attend school at the age of 5 and leave it from 12 to 15. 112

4. In Agrahrom villages inhabited by Bramins, it has been usual from time immemorial to allot for the enjoyment of those who study the Vaidoms (Religion), and Pooraunoms (Historical traditions), an extent of Mauneom land yielding from 20 to 50 fanams per annum, and in a few but rare instances to the extent of 100 fanams, and they gratuitously and generally instruct such pupils as may voluntarily be brought to them.
5. Female children devoted for the profession of dancing girls at the Hindoo temples are only instructed at schools. Teroomungalom, R. Peter, 5th February, 1823. Collector. (Statement on following page) 113

114

X PRINCIPAL COLLECTOR, TANJORE TO BOARD OF REVENUE: 28.6.1823 (TNSA: BRP: Vol.953, Pro.3.7.1823 pp.5345-5347 No.61) With reference to your Secretary’s letter of the 25th of July last, and its enclosures, I have the honor now to transmit a statement in the prescribed Form, prepared from the Returns received from the Tasildars of the number of schools and colleges in this District accompanied by two other statements Nos.1 and 2, more in detail, which will I expect, afford every information, that your Board and government desire to receive on the subject, being necessary for me only to add that it does not appear, any funds granted for these institutions, have been either resumed or diverted from their original purpose. Tanjore Negapatam, J. Cotton, 28th June, 1823. Principal Collector. (Statement on following pages) 115

116

117

118

119

120

121

122

123

124

125

126

127

128

XI COLLECTOR, MADRAS TO BOARD OF REVENUE: 13.11.1822 (TNSA: BRP: Vol.931, Pro.14.11.1822 pp.10, 512-13 No.57-8)

1. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter under date the 25th July last, with one from government and to forward the statement therein called for.
2. Adverting to the Orders of Government above referred to I beg leave to submit the information I have been able to obtain on the several questions connected with the system of education adopted in this Collectorate.
3. The schools enumerated in the statement comprise only those in which the various descriptions of the Hindoo and Mussulman children are educated.
4. These children are sent to school when they are above five years old and their continuance in it depends in a great measure on their mental faculties, but it is generally admitted that before they attain their thirteenth year of age, their acquire- ment in the various branches of learning are uncommonly great, a circumstance very justly ascribed to an emulation and perse- verance peculiar only to the Hindoo castes.
5. Astronomy, Astrology, etc., are in some instances taught to the children of the poorer class of Bramins gratis, and in certain few cases an allowance is given proportionate to the circumstances of the parents or guardians.
6. In this Collectorate there are no schools endowed by the public. Those denominated ‘Charity schools’ include a few insti- tutions of that description under the immediate control of the missionary society. The scholars in them are therefore of various sects and persuasions.
7. These Charity schools are abolished at the pleasure of their supporters.
8. The allowances paid to each of the teachers in a school seldom exceed 12 pagodas per annum for every scholar. Madras Cutcherry, L.G.K. Murray, 13th November 1822. Collector. (Statement on next page) 129

130