Page:Ramtanu Lahiri, Brahman and Reformer - A History of the Renaissance in Bengal.djvu/183

Gopal Ghosh. The reader will see by reference to the “Life of Ram Gopal,” in the Appendix, his point of view.

Mr Bethune’s antagonists in the end got the better of him. The authorities at home ordered that the proposed Bills should not be passed; and the Governor-General was compelled to abide by their wishes. Mr Bethune, through excessive labour and anxiety, soon fell ill, and died on the 12th of August 1851. The success induced imitation, but on better lines and in a better cause. The educated gentlemen of Bengal resolved to combine, in order to criticise the measures of the Government, and to offer united representations to the authorities on all matters of importance. The organisation of a select body for the purpose was at once taken in hand. There were already the “Bengal Landowners’ Association,” consisting chiefly of the wealthy Zemindars of Calcutta, and, the “Bengal British India Society”; and it was thought advisable that the two should be amalgamated. The desired amalgamation took place, and there rose into existence “The British Indian Association.” That it was from the first a strong organisation is evident from the names of the members who formed the first committee. The names are as follows:—

Raja Radhakanta Deb, President.
xx”x Kali Krishna Deb, Vice-president.
xx”x Satyanarain Charan Ghosal.
Babu Hara Kumar Tagore.
xx”xx Romanath Tagore.
xx”xx Jai Krishna Mukerji.
xx”xx Ashutosh Deb.
xx”xx Hari Mohan Sen.
xx”xx Ram Gopal Ghosh.
xx”xx Umesh Chandra Datta.