Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/411

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ISVAR CHANDRA VIDYASAGAR.

the curriculum of the Sanskrit College, and established a free school at his own native village. Even after his retirement from the educational service, he did not give up his project, but founded schools in different parts of the country.

It was at the instance, and through the untiring exertions of Vidyasagar, that an Anglo-Sanskrit School was established at Kandi in Murshidabad, the native home of the Paikpara Raj family, the brith-place of Raja Pratap Chandra Sinha. Of course, the school was founded at the sole cost of the Rajas, but Vidyasagar was the chief mover. He was for some time Honorary Superintendent of the school. At this time, he made an intimate acquaintance of Raja Pratap. The Raj family had once got a great help and benefit from Vidyasagar in other respects. The natural affability and amiability of Vidyasagar's character was so attractive, that his image and goodness were sure to be engraved in the heart of every body he came in contact with.

About this time, he first met at Kandi, after a long separation, Kshetramani Dasi, daughter of Jagaddurlabh Singha, who had formerly given Vidyasagar and his father shelter. Kshetramani had been married to Lal Mohan Ghosh, a nephew (sister's son) of a member of the Kandi Raj family. Unforeseen circumstances had reduced her to a state of indigence. The sight of her after a long period of separation and the tale of her distress