History and Problems of Moslem Education in Bengal. BY M. AZIZUL HUQUE, B. L., JOINT SECRETARY, BENGAL PRESIDENCY MAHOMED l EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION, JOINT SECRETARY NADIA ANJUMAN ETTEFAQUE ISLAM FORMERLY SECRETARY, MOSLEM NSTITUTE, CALCUTTA AND ASST. SECRETARY, BENGAL PRESIDENCY MOSLEM LEAGUE, C. CALCUTTA THACKER, SPINK Co 1917 Printer S. C. MAJUMDAR SREE GAURANGA PRESS 7, Mirzapur Street, Calcutta. FOREWORD. I HAVE passed the best seven years of my life as a student amidst students and now, when I look behind, Affords me materials for much anxious thoughts. During these seven years, I have been singularly fortunate in being directly or indirectly associated with almost every phase and movement of Mahomedan student life in Calcutta thus I had ample opportunities to make a close study of the problem. The present is a period of transition in the history of Mahomedan education in Bengal and the future will entirely take its shape from the course of action in the present. With my little fund of experience to start with, which has supplied me with the necessary impetus, 1 have ventured to lay before the public a short history of Maho medan education in Bengal with some of my thoughts on the problem of University education among the Mussal mans of Bengal, in the high hopes that it may serve some useful purpose in bringing about a correct solution of the problem in the near future. It was my original intention to make a full survey of the whole problem of Mahomedan education in all its aspects. But the rapidity with which new situation are arising has made me to decide otherwise, and I make no apology in now coming before the public with this little IV pamphlet. If time and circumstancespermit, my intention is to deal with the subject in a more elaborate, manner with such modifications that maturer experience an d further observation may necessiate. The subject was originally in the form of a paper reaa before the Moslem Institute, Calcutta, under the presidency of the Honble Mr. W. W. Hornell, M. A., Director of Public Instruction, Bengal on the llth December, 1914. Since then, Government has come forward with further improvements towards the cause of Mahomedan education. A mess has been started in Bowbazar Street for the accommodation of college students. Declaration has been published for the acquisition of land near the College Square, Calcutta. The Madrassah Hostel extension work has practically beeji finished. The Committee appointed by the Government of Bengal to consider certain questions connected with Mahomedan education has submitted its reports and its report has also since then been published in the official gazette. Still further improvements would awtsccmld and could have been done but the war has deferred the reali sation of many longed-for schemes. How long they will be deferred is not known to anybody. KRISHNAGAR BAR, 1 November, 1917. J M. AZIZUL HUQUE. PART I. History of Moslem Education in Bengal. Verilv God changeth not as to what concerns any people until they change in respect to what depends upon themselves. The Holy Quoron, XIII, 12. History of Moslem Education in Bengal. CHAPTER I. ACQUIRE knowledge, because he who Introduo acquires it in the way of the Lord, performs an act of piety who speaks of it, praises God who seeks instruction in it, bestows alms and who imparts it to its fitting objects, performs an act of devotion to God. To thestudent who goes forth in quest of knowledge, God will allot a high place in the mansion of bliss every step he takes is blessed and every lesson he receives has its reward. To listen to the instructions of science and learning for one hour is more meritorious than attending the funerals of a thousand martyrs more meritorious than standing up in prayers for a thousand night. These were the teachings of a man whose voice called forth a people, plunged in ignorance and barbarism for centuries, to go to the world, 2 HISTORY OF MOSLEM EDUCATION IN BENGAL...