Page:Bengal Celebrities.djvu/114

[ i«s 3 KRISTODAS PAL. As a journalist and politician, Kristodas left a mark in his century never to be effaced He was born in April, 1838, and at the age of six joined the Oriental Seminary. Later on he entered the new Metropolitan College and became the pupil of Captain D. L. Richardson. At this time he began to attend libraries and debating societies, and to contribute to some of the local periodicals. This training wa3 of immense service to the man, who rose to be one of the greatest orators and journalists of Bengal. After the death of Harish Ch. Mukherjee, the founder and editor of the Hindu Patriot, the paper passed through various vicissitudes and ultimately came to the hands of Pundit Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar in November, 186 1, who, with his usual keenness in jadjing of men, invited Kristodas to take its charge. Vidyasagar subsequently transferred its proprietorship to a body of trustees who in their turn made over the management to Babu Kristodas Pal, From this time under his lead, the paper became a new power in the land. Journalism in English was previously attempted by many gifted men of Bengal, but their papers were completely outshone by the Patriot of Kristodas Pal. Though it was the organ of only one section of the community, viz., the Zemindars, and was trenchant in its criticism of men and measures, it was widely circu- lated even among those who were most bitterly galled by it. To Krislodas's honour be it said that all bis criticisms, even the bitterest ones, were fair and free from personal slander. He was the most uncompromising opponent of the Government in its measures which he found not conducive to the general weal. The innovations of Sir George Campbell were strongly condemned in the columns of the Patriot and when Mulhar Rao, the Gaekwar, of Baroda was duposed 011 a charge of attempting to poison the Resident, Kristodas