Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work/Chapter 7
CHAPTER VII,
ENTRANCE INTO THE WORLD:—FIRST APPOINTMENT.
We have seen Isvar Chandra as a little child; we have seen him as a naughty village school-boy; we have also seen him as a College student, winning the praise and admiration of every body, he came in contact with. But this was only the bud of a large, sweet-smelling flower, waiting to expand in full bloom,—the sprout of a big tree, to develop into spreading branches, bearing nice fruits in time,—the beginning of a great end. He has left to the poor student an unparalleled example of infinite toil, deep earnestness, forbearing patience, untiring perseverance, resolute self-reliance, and unprecedented success, even under circumstances most discouraging and adverse. He has clearly shown to the world, that poverty is no bar to the attainment of success in an honest undertaking.
We now proceed, step by step, to that part of his life, where the qualities of his early years developed themselves to their full extent, bringing in, in their train, other qualities, equally noble and fascinating. He was now standing on the threshold of his worldly life, which was full of events displaying his intrepidity in danger, vivacity in despondency, love for mankind, disinterestedness in every undertaking, and modesty in prosperity. These qualities were conspicuous in his life at all times, from the very first day of his entrance into the world to the last day of his life. His infinite kindness and unbounded love for all creatures were prominent in almost all his acts. Unfortunately, his deeds did not meet with general approbation. But this was not Vidyasagar's fault (we shall henceforth call him by this name, which he so gloriously obtained from his College). As men are of different opinions, so they must differ in the appreciation of a deed. However that might be, there is not an iota of doubt, that he was always actuated by unselfish motives and a strong impulse of universal good-will. Whatever he thought good, he tried to accomplish, in spite of every obstacle, He was never dejected by failures, nor daunted by menaces. He was always untiring in perseverance. He detested laziness. Want of occupation was a source of great annoyance to him. He was never fatigued with toils. Time unemployed hang heavily on him. Occupation was his best recreation. What the famous writer Seadon Smith said on this point, has been amply verified in Vidyasagar's life;—"Let every man be occupied, and occupied in the highest employment of which he is capable, and die with the consciousness that he has done the best."
Vidyasagar's first appointment was under Mr. Marshall in the Fort William College. This college had been established in Calcutta in the year 1800 for the education of those civilians, who came out from the Halibury College for employment in India, in the different vernaculars of the country. The competitive Civil Service examination[1] had not then been introduced. The students of the Halibury College had to pass an examination in Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Persian, &c. before their appointment, and those that failed to pass it, had to go back to Europe. These civilians were then called the 'Writers of the East India Company,' and the house where they lodged were called after them, the 'Writers'-Building.' In the midst of this building, there was the Fort William College with its office. In this office were employed a 'Head Writer' or 'Cashier', and under him, two to three clerks to do clerical work. Besides these, a Hindu Pandit and a Mahomedan Maulavi were employed as teachers. The former Head Pandit, Madhusudan Tarkalankar having died, the post was vacant. Mr. Marshal], the Secretary to the College, was on the look-out for a qualified man. He set his eyes on Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, whom he had known for many years, while he was Secretary to the Sanskrit College, to be uncommonly intelligent, exceedingly laborious, highly persevering, and generally proficient in every branch. He called personally at the Sanskrit College, and enquired for Vidyasagar of Jay Narayan Tarkapanchanan, who, in his turn, informed Thakurdas, Vidyasagar's father, of everything. Vidyasagar was, at this time, in his native village, Birsingha, enjoying the sweet pleasures of a country seat and the happiness of his mother's company. Thakurdas at once sent for him. He soon reached Calcutta, and was appointed to the vacant post in December, 1841, on a salary of fifty rupees a month.
In this connection, we may note here, in passing, that Mr. Marshall was a great appreciator of merits. When the post of the Head Pandit of the Fort William College fell vacant, there were many candidates for the situation. Babu Kalidas Datta, a resident of Bowbazar, was in terms of great intimacy with Mr. Marshall. They had a great affection for each other. Kalidas Babu earnestly recommended a particular Pandit, a friend of his, for the post. But Mr. Marshall rejected his earnest solicitations, saying that he had already selected Vidyasagar for the post. When Kalidas Babu heard Vidyasagar's name mentioned, he approved of the choice, for he had also known Isvar Chandrai for a long time.
In fact, the Europeans of those days had a sort of liking for the natives, and appreciated their merits. Unlike the present day, they treated the natives of the soil with a degree of kindness, affection and respect, befitting their merits. But unfortunately for us, the tide has turned. What is the cause of this change? Opinions differ on this point. Some say, that before the introduction of the system of competitive examination, when the appointment of Civil Servants was made by nomination, only descendants of high families came out to this country as Civilians. They were born of noble families, and were naturally imbueb with generous feelings. They looked upon the natives as their fellow-brethren, whom they had come not only to rule, but also to enlighten and educate, so as to be able to help them in the administration of the country. But the present competitive examination, which has replaced the former nomination system, leaves no room to take into account birth or descent in the selection of these officers As a matter of consequence, those, who come from comparatively lower families, being naturally short of generous feelings, look down upon the natives of the soil as mere barbarians and slaves. They do not think that the natives are human beings, creatures of God, like themselves, and bear no love for them. Another opinion is, that the natives of the present day, having obtained a high Western education, and having imbibed notions of equality and independence of spirit from the Europeans, do not treat them with proper deference. On the contrary, they claim from the ruling race some sort of respect. This the Europeans naturally resent. Hence their dislike and hatred for the natives. The Illbert Bill agitation has left a standing mark to bear testimony to this fact. In our humble opinion, both of these opinions are correct to some extent.
During his employment in the Fort William College, which was his first appointment, Vidyasagar displayed an independence of spirit and love of justice, which were conspicuous throughout his life. We have mentioned before, that those would-be civilians, who failed at the vernacular examinations, had to go back to England disappointed. Mr. Marshall felt a great pity for them, and, to avoid their disappointment, he requested Vidyasagar to soften the stiffness of the examinations and to take a somewhat lenient view of their answers, on which Vidyasagar openly declared in unequivocal terms, that he would rather resign his post than act dishonourably. Mr. Marshall, who was an upright man himself, and a great lover of justice, was highly pleased, rather than annoyed, at the honesty of his young subordinate. Here was only the beginning of that noble heroism, which was so conspicuous throughout his after-life. He was a poor man, bred and brought up amidst the privations and troubles of indigence. He had no one to back him. A post of fifty rupees of those days was more than a valuable property to a man of his circumstances. But still even for the sake of that, he was not prepared to sacrifice his conscience, and condescend to meanness and foul play. The reader will find many such instances in his later-life.
Shortly after his installation to this post, Vidyasagar began to learn English and Hindi simultaneously. The would-be civilians of the Fort William College had to undergo monthly examianations. Vidyasagar's main duty was to examine their answer papers. Besides this, he had to teach Mr. Marshall Sanskrit. He had thus to come always in contact with the British. Hence was the necessity of his learning English. He had, moreover, to see the Hindi answer papers. A knowledge of Hindi was, therefore, absolutely necessary for him. Hindi, like Bengali, has its origin in Sanskrit, and bears much similarity to Bengali as well as to Sanskrit. So Hindi was not difficult for him to learn. He engaged a Hindi teacher on a monthly salary of ten rupees, and learned the Hindi language in a short time. But the acquisition of English, which was a foreign tongue, was not so easy. He had to spend a great deal of time and labour, and even some money, on it. Nothing was impossible with the persevering Vidyasagar.
Most of those that have been reputed as great geniuses, and who have immortalised their names by noble deeds, were bred and brought up in poverty. Nay, some of them were, in their early life employed in humble occupations. But they were, always far superior to the ordinary rank. No difficulty was insurmountable to them. They never gave up a task, simply beacuse it was difficult. Had they not been endowed with this superior merit, they could never have left such indelible, conspicuous footmarks for the guidance of their descendants. Garfield, one of the late Presidents of the United States of America, was the son of a farmer. The great Napoleon, who rose to be Emperor of France, was at first employed as a private. Benjamin Franklin was a printer. The great poet Chaucer was an ordinary soldier. Shakspeare was an actor. But why seek other countries? What was Keshub Chunder Sen, the great Bengali orator? He was at first a mere clerk of twenty rupees. Harish Chunder Mukharji, the first independent-spirited Editor of the "Hindoo Patriot" was an humble clerk. Lord Clive, the Founder of the British Empire in India, came out to this country as a clerk to the East India Company. The great Vidyasagar, of whom we are speaking, and who, by dint of perseverance, assiduity and honesty, rose to such eminence, began with a post of fifty rupees.It was not, therefore, very strange that he should apply himself to learn English with his usual zeal and earnestness, and be able to master it soon.
The famous Doctor Durga Charan Banarji, father of Babu Surendranath Banarji, the present great orator of Bengal, and renowned Editor of "The Bengalee," was his first English teacher. Durga Charan Babu was not a doctor (medical practitioner) then. He was, at that time, a teacher in the Hare School. He used daily to visit Vidyasagar's house, and there engage himself in various pastimes. The post of the Head Writer in the Fort William College having, at this time, fallen vacant, Darga Charan Babu was appointed to the post, on a monthly salary of eighty rupees, by Mr. Marshall, on the recommendation of Vidyasagar. There was thus a great intimacy between the two. While employed in this office, Durga Charan Babu attended the Medical College lectures as an Out-student, and afterwards adopted the profession of an independent medical practitioner, in which he was eminently successful. He was a great help to Vidyasagar in his many acts of philanthropy.
Vidyasagar's second teacher was Raj Narayan Basu, with whom he read English for a short time. In this connection the two gentlemen formed an intimate friendship, which lasted to life. His next teacher was Babu Nil Madhav Mukharji, pupil of Babu Durga Charan Banarji, of whom mention has been made before. At last, he entertained the services of Babu Raj Narayan Gupta, then a student of the Hindu College, as his private English teacher on a stipend of fifteen rupees a month. To learn European Mathematics, he used to go to Ananda Krishna Basu, Amrita Lal Mitra, and Srinath Ghosh at the Sobhabazar Raj house.[2] He made some attempts to learn the subject, but it did not suit his taste. Besides, he considered the subject dry, and at last gave it up.
He now pursued the course of his natural taste, and made great self-advancement. When one devotes himself to the study of a particular subject, which is agreeable to his taste, one can make much improvement in it. On the contrary, when one is forced to take up a subject, which one has no liking for, one cannot devote all his energies to it, and, consequently, can make no progress in it. As is the case with one's education, so is the case with one's calling. In this connection one writer says;—"It is often seen that many persons do not succeed in their business, simply because they could not, or were not allowed, to make a proper selection. They have not the particular capacity for the occupations they have been engaged in. For instance, one who has no capacity for the Law, but for Medicine, has taken up the Law for one's profession; or, one who has no taste for Medicine, but only for Engineering, has been made to adopt the Medical profession. How can such a one expect success?"
Surely, one ought to to be allowed to follow his own inclinations. The above writer also says, that a man's bodily and mental marks clearly indicate what business he is fit for. Some European philosophers are of the same opinion too. But this is not always true. Doctor Gilbert has come to the conclusion, that a large head is the seat of intellect and genius. But, when we take into account the heads of such intelligent and talented great men, as Alexander, Julius Caesar, Frederick the Great, Byron, Bacon, Plato, Aristotle, and others, we arrive at a different conclusion. Would it not be better then if, instead of relying on these doubtful conclusions, every one had tried to follow and better the calling of his forefathers. The ancient Hindus bestowed their best thoughts on the subject, and apportioned a particular occupation for each, to be strictly adhered to, by his descendants. Thus originated the Hindu caste system, the propriety or otherwise of which we leave the reader to judge.
After giving up Mathematics, Vidyasagar began to read Shakspeare with Babu Ananda Krishna Basu. For this purpose, he often frequented the Sobhabazar Raj house, which, in a few days, had also the effect of making him acquainted with Raja Radha Kanta Dev Bahadur. It so happened that, one day, when the Raja Bahadur was washing his face and hands after dinner, Vidyasagar passed by him, on his way to Ananda Krishna Babu. The Raja Bahadur caught a glimpse of him, and enquired of a relation who was near by;—'Who is that stout and strong, handsome Brahman youth, who passed by us? His very appearance indicates that he is a man of uncommon genius. Send for him at once.' Vidyasagar immediately appeared before the Raja Bahadur, who heard from him everything connected with his life. The Raja was highly delighted at his conversation, and at once knew him to be a highly talented man. Isvar Chandra was, at that time, an ordinary youth with only the title Vidyasagar recently obtained from his College. He was not then the famous, great Vidyasagar of later years.
It was in this Sobhabazar Raj house that Vidyasagar was acquainted with Babu Akshay Kumar Dutt, one of the greatest Bengali writers, and formed an intimacy with him. Akshay Babu was not then the Editor of the Tattvabodhini Patrika. An association called the Tattvabodhini Sabha had been formed in connection with the Brahmo Samaj in the month of October, 1839. From the year 1843, this association began to publish a Bengali monthly magazine, called the Tattvabodhini Patrika, under the care and patronage of Babu Devendra Nath Tagore and some other eminent men of the time. Akshay Babu had been a member of this association from the beginning, and he was afterwards intrusted with the edition of this magazine, which he did honestly and creditably for twelve years, up to 1855.
All the contributions to the Tattvabodhini Patrika passed through the hands of Ananda Krishna Babu and some other educated men of the time, who had to go through the articles, and make necessary corrections. One day, when Vidyasagar was sitting with Ananda Krishna Babu in the latter's house, a messenger appeared with a piece of Akshay Babu's composition intended for the periodical. Ananda Krishna Babu read out the article to Vidyasagar, and asked his opinion about it. It was a piece of translation from English, impregnated with European ideas and notions. The former translations of Akshay Babu were all of this sort. In reply to Ananda Krishna Babu's query, Vidyasagar said that the style of the composition was not bad, but that it was somewhat impregnated with European ideas. He then made some alterations and corrections in it, at the request of Ananda Krishna Babu. Subsequent to this, Vidyasagar had to make such corrections on several occasions. Akshay Babu saw that these corrections were far superior to the usual ones, and wondered who could be the author of them. To satisfy his curiosity he, one day, appeared in person before Ananda Krishna Babu, and learned that they were Vidyasagar's doings. It was thus that Akshay Babu came in contact with the young pundit and formed his acquaintance. By degrees, this acquaintance grew into sincere friendship, which ripened with their age.
This was a happy combination for the newly-born Bengali language. Every native of Bengal should commemorate the eventful period in his heart of hearts, and rejoice in the fortunate union. Both Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar and Akshay Kumar Datta may be said to have laid down their lives for the development of their mother language. The combination of Addison and Steel is considered by the English to be the origin of the progress and spread of modern English, and they still congratulate on the happy event. Many educated Bengalees too look upon the day of the union of Addison and Steel as a day of their national festival. But how many Bengalees are there who ever call to mind the fortunate combination of Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar and Askhay Kumar Datta? How ungrateful we are!
For some time, a sub-commitee, styled the "Paper-committee," was formed in connection with the Tattvabodhini Sabha, Ananda Krishna Basu, Raj Narayan Basu, Rajendra Lal Mitra, Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, Radha Ballabh Ray, Syama Charan Mukharji, Prasanna Kumar Sarvvadhikari, and Ananda Chandra Vedantavagis were elected members for this Sub-committee. These members were designated paper-examiners, and Akshay Babu was paper-editor. The Tattvabodhini Sabha was Devendra Nath Babu's beloved object. He had always the association at his heart. If he found anywhere anything new and useful, he tried to bring it in. He had introduced the "paper-committee," in imitation of a committee of the same name in the Asiatic Society. The business of the newly formed committee was to examine and correct all the books and writings intended to be published by the Tattvabodhini Sabha. No such writing or book could be published unless and until approved of by this committee. Great benifits were derived from this system. Nothing incorrect or unchaste, either in language or sense, even if it were from the pen of a paper-examiner, was printed. Akshay Baba himself admitted that he was greatly benefited by his being associated with Vidyasagar in this way.
Proposed by Babu Akshay Kumar Datta, and seconded by all other members, Vidyasagar was nominated a member for the "Paper-Committee". In this connection he came in touch with Babu Devendra Nath Tagore, who since that time bore a great respect for him. It may not be out of place to note here, in passing, that Vidyasagar had no connection with the then Brahma Samaj. He was connected only with the "Paper-Committee". Even Akshay Babu, who edited the Tattvabodhini Patrika, had to seek the opinion and permission of the "Paper-Committee" on his own compositions, before they could be published in the periodical. In support of this, we quote below a copy of some correspondence on the subject, which passed between editor and some of the examiners;—
"I beg to send herewith a copy of an article on the "History of the Kavirpanthis." Please do the needful.
| Tattvabodhini Sabha, | Sd. Akshay Kumar Datta Paper-editor." | ||
| 1770 Sak, 14 Asharh |
It was at the instance of Babu Akshay Kumar Datta, that Vidyasagar commenced publishing his translation of the Mahabharat in February, 1848, in the sixty-seventh issue of the Tattvabodhini Patrika. Some portions of its Adiparvva had only been brought into publication, when Babu Kali Prasanna Singha requested him to desist, and, with his permission, began to publish his translation of the great epic. Kali Prasanna Babu himself has acknowledged it:—
"In the translation of the Mahabharat I have had to seek and obtain much assistance from many learned men. I am, therefore, under a deep debt of obligation and gratefulness to them. Of these, my venerable friend, Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, was the foremost. He had himself begun a translation of the Mahabharat and already published a part of it, in several issues of the Tattvabodhini Patrika, as well as in the form of pamphlets. But when he came to learn that I was endeavouring to issue a translation of the great poem, he very kindly desisted from his translation. If he had not done so, I could never have finished my version. Not only did he forego his desire of translating the Mahabharat, but took the trouble of going through my translation whenever he had leisure for it, and even personally attended my printing press and superintended the translation of the Mahabharat, when business called me away from Calcutta, now and then. In fact, language, written or spoken, cannot express the extent of benefits I have obtained from Vidyasagar in different forms at different times, since I was a student."
Before he commenced the translation of the Mahabharat, Vidyasagar had written two other Bengali books, Basudeva Charita and Vetala Panchavingsati. In the language of these two books he has amply proved his powers of translation, of which hereafter.
Babu Akshay Kumar Datta, the worthy editor of the "Tattvabodhini Patrika," having resigned his post for ill-health, a motion moved by Babu Kanai Lal Pain and seconded by Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, was brought forward before a meeting of the Tattvabodhini Sabha for award of some pension to the able editor. Babu Devendra Nath Tagore opposed the motion. His argument was that the pension was allowable, if the income of the "Tattvabodhini Patrika" left a margin for it; but that when the income of the "Tattvabodhini Sabha" and that of the "Tattvabodhini Patrika" were combined, no such pension was judiciously and rightly allowable. But the motion was carried by a majority of votes, and a monthly pension of twenty-five rupees was granted to Babu Akshay Kumar Datta. There can be no doubt, that the pension was granted chiefly through the exertions of Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar.
Some time after the resignation of Babu Askhay Kumar Datta, Vidyasagar also cut off his connection with the Tattvabodhini Sabha . This was owing to difference of opinion with Babu Devendra Nath Tagore in some respects. No wonder that a conflict of the opinions of two such independent-spirited men should bring about their separation. The friction of two pieces of dry, hard wood, or the collision of a piece of steel against a piece of flint is sure to produce sparkles of fire. It was for a similar reason, that Keshub Chunder Sen and some of his associates severed their connection with the Brahma Samaj.
When Vidyasagar was himself engaged in learning English privately at his own residence, he had, in his turn, to give private lessons in Sanskrit to a number of elderly scholars. Syama Charan Sarkar, one of the translators of the Sudder Court, Ramratan Mukharji, Nilmani Mukharji, Raj Krishna Banarji, and some other gentlemen were among his pupils. His mode of imparting instruction was so ingenious, that he could make his pupils easily master even a difficult subject. The learned professors of the Sanskrit College were quite amazed at his novel mode of instruction. He took great pains for the education of his pupils. To enable the reader to form some idea of his mode of instruction, we will try to describe briefly how Raj Krishna Babu acquired his knowledge in Sanskrit from Pandit Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar.
Raj Krishna Babu was a grandson of the late famous Hriday Ram Bandyopadhyay of Bowbazar. He was, at this time, only 15 or 16 years old. His house stood in front of that of Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar. He had studied English for some time in the Hindu College, but had given it up at this early age. He had formed an acquaintance of Vidyasagar, and used to visit his house every morning and evening. One day, he heard Dinabandhu (Vidyasagar's younger brother) reading Kalidas's Meghaduta in tones of music. Raj Krishna Babu was fascinated by the young boy's sweet recital of the elegant poem, and he felt a strong desire to learn Sanskrit. He gave out his mind to Vidyasagar, who promised to teach him the ancient language. But Vidyasagar was afraid, that Raj Krishna Babu was now grown too old to begin with the Mugdhabodha or any other Sanskrit grammar, and that he might lose his patience, and give it up as a mere waste of time. Vidyasagar, therefore, thought of devising some method, by which he could make the learning of Sanskrit attractive, as well as easy, to his pupil. So he dismissed Raj Krishna Babu for that day, and set himself on thinking of a novel mode of teaching Grammar. When Raj Krishna Babu called the next morning, he found to his utter astonishment, that a short abridgment of the Sanskrit grammar, Mugdhabodha, in Bengali characters, from the Alphabet to the Inflexion of Verbs, composed by Vidyasagar, was ready for his use. This was the basis of Vidyasagar's Upakramanika, a brief Sanskrit Grammar in Bengali. Upakramanika has opened a new, easy way to the Sanskrit Literature. This single treatise is sufficient to clearly demonstrate Vidyasagar's superior intellect and ingenuity.
With the aid of this manuscript, abridged grammar and an elementary Sanskrit book printed at the Baptist Press, Raj Krishna Babu began to learn Sanskrit. In three months, he acquired a little knowledge of the language, and had some conception of its grammar. At the end of this period, he began to read the Mugdhabodha, which he, by dint of his indefatigable zeal and toil, and unremitting perseverance, and through Vidyasagar's ingenious mode of instruction, mastered in six months. He then applied himself to the study of the Sanskrit Literature. Vidyasagar now urged Raj Krishna Babu to prepare himself for the Junior Scholarship examination of the Sanskrit College. The system of Junior and Senior Scholarship examinations had been introduced into Sanskrit College by Mr. Marshall. Raj Krishna Babu applied himself in right earnest, and was fully prepared for the examination, when Vidyasagar suddenly heard that a poor Brahman boy was getting the Junior Scholarship of eight rupees. Vidyasagar was afraid that if Raj Krishna Babu should appear at the examination and succeed in winning the scholarship, the poor boy would be deprived of his only means. He informed Raj Krishna Babu of everything, and told him to desist, for the present, from his attempts at the Junior Scholarship examination. He then urged his apt pupil to prepare himself for the Senior Scholarship examination; at which Raj Krishna Babu said,—'Do you think, I shall be able to qualify myself for that?' Vidyasagar replied,—'Why not; but, mind, you shall have to take more pains. Only if you accompany me every day to the Fort William College, I believe, I shall be able to make you fit for the examination.' Raj Krishna Babu agreed to this, and accompanied him daily to the Fort William College. Vidyasagar was occupied in teaching the Civilians and in doing other duties up to 3 P.M., after which he devoted himself wholly in giving lessons to Raj Krishna Babu till sun-set. They then returned to their houses, and after supper, again applied themselves in giving and receiving instruction to a late hour in the night. By such unremitting toil and perseverance, both on the part of the pupil and the teacher, Raj Krishna Babu was fully instructed in Sanskrit Grammar, Belles-lettres and Smriti, in two years and a half. He appeared at the Senior Scholarship examination of 1843-44, and passed it creditably with a second grade scholarship of fifteen rupees a month. Two years after this, he won a first grade scholarship of twenty rupees. He had a great mind to appear at the next higher (i. e., final) examination, but, unfortunately, his health having been very much impaired by his excessive toils, he was obliged to forego his design, and remove to a sanitarium to recruit his broken health.
The news of this unparalleled success soon spread like bonfire, and surprised even the learned professors of the Sanskrit College. People of all classes daily crowded Vidyasagar's house, with an eager desire to have a sight of the unusually intelligent and hardworking pupil and of his ingenious and clever teacher. In fact, the mode of instruction adopted by Vidyasagar was quite novel, and was a conspicuous proof of his inventive genius. Was it very strange then, that the people were so curious about it? When the famous Scotch author Carlyle devised his new plan, and books were published under the novel device, many learned and wise men of the time hurried to the farm of Dumfrey in the hilly tracts of far Scotland to have a sight of the famous author. Even Emerson, the great philosophical writer of America, visited Scotland, and satisfied his curiosity by seeing Carlyle with his own eyes. Such is the fascinating attraction of all novel, ingenious plans and methods.
Madan Mohan Tarkalankar was one of Vidyasagar's early friends. They had been acquainted since both of them were in the Grammar class, and they were slowly drawn to each other. By degrees, they formed an intimate friendship, which ripened with their age and made them very closely united. In later years, whenever Vidyasagar attemped at, or began, a noble, benevolent deed, Madan Mohan was always by his side, lending a helping hand with all his zeal and ardour. In some cases the two were found to be equally eager and interested, and it would than be very difficult to distinguish the principal from the assistant. Vidyasagar's friendship was always sincere and uniform. He could never be apathetic to one whom he had once loved. Vidyasagar regarded Madan Mohan as if he was his own brother, and always sought for opportunities to do him a good turn. It was mainly through Vidyasagar's exertions that his friend, Madan Mohan, obtained the situation of Head Pandit in the Calcutta Bengali Pathsala. After this, when the latter was acting as Head Pandit of the Barasat Government School, a teacher was required in the Fort William College to teach Hindu Law to the civilians. At the instance of Vidyasagar, Madan Mohan Tarkalankar was appointed to the post on a monthly salary of forty rupees.
Pandit Dvaraka Nath Vidyabhushan[3] and Giris Chandra Vidyaratna were two of his friends. At the time of which we are speaking, the post of the Second Teacher of the Grammar class, and that of the Librarian of the Sanskrit College, fell vacant. The salaries attached to the posts were 50 and 30 rupees respectively. Babu Rassomoy Dutt was then the Secretary to the College. There were many candidates for the two situations, and, at the suggestion of Vidyasagar, it was decided upon to hold an examination to fill up the vacancies. At this examination, Dvaraka Nath Vidyabhushan and Giris Chandra Vidyaratna stood first and second respectively. But Rassomoy Babu, for reasons best known to himself, instead of conferring the post of the Second Teacher on Vidyabhushan, precipitately appointed him to the post of the Librarian, Vidyabhushan felt himself aggrieved, and Vidyasagar lost no time in informing Mr. Marshall of the injustice. Mr. Marshall brought the matter to the notice of Dr. Mouett the then secretary to the Education Council. Dr. Mouett, overturned Rassomoy Babu's arrangement, and appointed Dvaraka Nath Vidyabhushan as Second Teacher of Grammar, and Giris Chandra Vidyaratna as Librarian.
It may be still fresh in the reader's mind, how through the exertions of Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar,
Vidyasagar as a young man.
then a mere student of the Sanskrit College, Pandit Jay Narayan Tarkapanchanan had been appointed to the post vacated by the death of Nim Chand Siromani. The reader will find many such instances in Vidyasagar's life.
- ↑ The competitive examination was first held in England in 1854, and the system is still in force.
- ↑ Ananda Krishna Basu was a grandson of Raja Radha Kanta Dev Bahadur of Shobhabazar, being the son of his eldest daughter. Amrita Lal Mitra and Srinath Ghosh, both were his sons-in-law. All of them had studied in the Hindu College, and were well versed in the English literature. Vidyasagar had formed a great friendship with all of them.
- ↑ He was born in 1824 at Changripota in the district of 24 Pergunnas. He studied in the Sanskrit College for twelve years. In later years, he set himself up as Editor of the Soma Prakash, a renowned Bengali weekly. He had a great intimacy with Vidyasagar.