Twelve Men of Bengal in the Nineteenth Century/Hazi Mahomed Moshin

by Francis Bradley Bradley-Birt

Hazi Mahomed Mohsin

HAJI MAHOMED MOHSIN.

1730-1812.

No Muhammadan in Bengal in the nineteenth century has left behind him a greater or more honoured name than Haji Mahomed Mohsin. By his learning, piety and philanthropy he set, while the century was yet young, a splendid example of all that a good citizen should be, not only to his own co-religionists but to all Bengal of whatever caste or creed. For over a hundred years the great Trust that he left behind him has kept his memory fresh, conferring immense benefits on succeeding generations and still continuing its educational and philanthropic work to-day. For all time it promises to remain a great and living memorial of his name.

The life of Haji Mahomed Mohsin was full of romance. His grandfather on his father's side was Agha Fazlullah, a merchant prince of Persia, who following in the wake of many of his adventurous compatriots had come to seek his fortune in India in the eighteenth century. For a time he resided at Murshidabad where the Viceroy of Bengal held court and where the English factory was slowly but surely establishing its position and increasing its scope and influence. Here Agha Fazlullah carried on an extensive mercantile business, but finding the rising port of Hooghly a more convenient centre, he finally settled there with his son Haji Faizullah, who was already associated with him in his business undertakings. It was in Hooghly that the fortunes of his family were to reach their height, and with it that the name of his famous grandson was to be indissolubly associated for all time.

Already settled in Hooghly was one Agha Motaher, who, coming originally from Persia like Agha Fazullah, had won his way at the court of Aurungzeb. That monarch had conferred upon him extensive jagirs in Jessore and other places in Bengal, and Agha Motaher, eager to take possession, finally himself set out from Delhi for the eastern province on the outskirts of the empire, where so many of his countrymen had won fame and fortune before him. So well did he manage his newly acquired lands that he soon became one of the wealthiest men in the province. He had made his headquarters at Hooghly and there, like a good Muhammadan, his desire in prosperity, was to build a mosque that should be worthy of his fortunes. Already there was a fine Immabara there, built by Murshid Kuli Khan, Viceroy of Bengal, but it had fallen into disrepair. It occupied a splendid site on the river bank, close by the Fort and the Portuguese Factory, and commanding wide reaches of the river to the north and south. Agha Motaher resolved to rebuild it and, obtaining permission, began the construction of the building which after many additions and improvements has survived as the great Imambara of to-day.

In the prosperity of Agha Motaher there was one thing lacking. He had no son. For many years he was childless and it was only in old age that a daughter was born to him. Round this only child, named Manu Jan Khanum, all his affections centred, and dying when she was only seven years old he left her all his property. A curious story is told of the device he adopted to keep the contents of his will secret during his lifetime. Presenting a massive golden amulet to the child, he told her that it would prove of immense value to her after his death but that it was on no account to be opened while he lived. The child being of such tender years, others saw that the great man's instructions were implicitly obeyed, and when the amulet was opened after his death it was found to contain his will whereby he left her all that he possessed. No provision appears to have been made for his widow, probably because she already had property of her own. She seems at once to have set up an independent household on her own account, and shortly afterwards married Haji Fazlullah, the son of Agha Fazlullah, her late husband's friend and compatriot. The only child of this marriage was the famous Haji Mahomed Moshin.

Born in 1730 A.D., Haji Mahomed Mohsin was eight years younger than his half-sister, Manu Jan Khanum. From the first she loyally played the part of elder sister towards him watching over his earliest years with tenderest devotion. Brought up together in the household of Haji Faizullah, they were inseparable companions, and the strong and deep affection that always existed between them was one of the first recollections of their childhood's days. The influence for good that Manu Jan Kanum exercised over him left its mark in after life and Mahomed Moshin never forgot the debt he owed to her.

Following the usual Muhammadan custom of those days, Mahomed Mohsin early began to prosecute his studies in Arabic and Persian. Here again he had the advantage of his sister's guidance, for she had already acquired considerable proficiency in those studies while he was still an infant, and when he was old enough to be placed under the care of a tutor, she continued her studies as his fellow pupil. Their tutor was a Persian gentleman, Agha Shirazi by name, who combined with great learning much worldly wisdom and experience, having travelled in many countries after having left his home in Shiraz and before finally settling down in Hooghly. Often when lessons were done, he was wont to relate to his pupils stories of his adventures and of the wonders of foreign lands and thus early Mahomed Mohsin became inspired with that desire for travel which in after years he was to find such opportunity to gratify. Finally, to complete his education Mahomed Moshin was sent to Murshidabad, there to learn all that one of the most famous Muktabs of the time could teach him of the Koran and the classics, in which he had been so well grounded by Agha Shirazi.

After finishing his studies at Murshidabad, Mahomed Mohsin returned to his sister's house at Hooghly. The same friendship as in their younger days still existed between them and it was shortly after his return that Mahomed Mohsin's watchful care and devotion were the means of rendering her a great service. A woman of her position and wealth was not without enemies, and among a certain number of those who might hope to benefit by her death a plot was formed to poison her. This plot Mahomed Moshin had the good fortune to discover and was thus able to save his sister by warning her in time of the design against her life. So great, however, was the animosity roused against Mahomed Moshin amongst the conspirators that he thought it advisable to leave Hooghly for a time. This he was able to do as his sister was about to marry and so would not be left without a protection in his absence.

When Haji Mahomed Mohsin left Hooghly for the second time he was some thirty-two years old. Although he had always had a great desire to travel he had felt that his first duty was to the sister to whom he owed so much. Now that he was free, however, he lost no time in setting out to see the world. After the sheltered life that he had hitherto led in his carefully tended house on the banks of the Hooghly, the hardships of the road must have been a rough experience. In those days of slow and tedious travel a journey even to the imperial city of Delhi along the beaten track was no light undertaking. Mahomed Mohsin, however, hearing good accounts of Manu Jan Khanum's happiness and safety was eager to set out into the unknown in search of learning, and adventure. Blest with splendid physique, his simple living and hard training had endowed him with excellent health, while his skill as a swordsman and as a wrestler was to become famous during his travels throughout India. It was always said of him, however, that his great strength was never used for oppression or in an unjust cause, while it was ever ready to defend the weak or the helpless. For his penmanship he was already noted and much of his leisure time was devoted to copying the Koran. So beautifully were these copies penned that some of them are said to have sold for 1000 Rs. It is also said that he made no fewer than seventy-two copies, truly a Herculean task, all of them being given away when finished to the poor and suffering.

After a brief halt at Murshidabad, he travelled up country visiting all the famous towns of northern India. It was a critical moment in the history of the Moghul empire. Everywhere there was a spirit of unrest. The old empire that had so long maintained its nominal grasp over all northern India was rapidly falling to decay. Internal dissensions had weakened its hold, while on the one hand the Mahrattas and on the other a crowd of western nations were knocking at its gates. It was a fascinating drama that was played before the eyes of Haji Mahomed Moshin as he travelled from city to city, showing him the beginning of that great transition which was to change the face of Hindustan.

Not content with his Indian experiences Mahomed Mohsin travelled far beyond the limits of the Moghul empire. Reaching Arabia, he made pilgrimages to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, thus gaining for himself the title of Haji which has ever since been coupled with his name. Continuing his journey he made his way through Persia, Turkey and Egypt performing pilgrimages to many of the most sacred Moslem shrines, his visits to them strengthening the strain of piety and religious enthusiasm which had always been inherent in his nature. At Najaf, then a famous seat of oriental learning, he spent some time enjoying the society of the company of scholars, whom the fame of the place had attracted there.

For twenty-seven years he continued his travels in Hindustan, Arabia, Persia, and Central Asia, meeting with many adventures and enduring many hardships but never losing his passion for the road. Visiting all the famous places of the Moslem world he added greatly to his already large store of knowledge, acquiring fresh wisdom and breadth of view from each new source. Travelling as he did over so extended an area and during so many years, his fame spread far and wide and, preceding him on his homeward way through India, prepared everywhere for him a great reception.

It was not until he had reached his sixtieth year and age was beginning to tell even upon his iron constitution that he finally decided to terminate his travels and return home. Making his way slowly across northern India he came at last to Lucknow, which, since the best days of Delhi were already past, had become the chief centre of Moslem thought and learning. Here the fame of his wisdom and erudition had preceded him and he was welcomed by all the distinguished men of the day who were then gathered there. The Nawab Asaf-ud-dowlah was himself a patron of letters and in Haji Mahomed Mohsin he found a scholar worthy of respect, and one who would be an ornament of his court. But Mahomed Mohsin, though tempted by every inducement of wealth and honours to remain had no ambition to figure among the crowd of satillities at the Nawab's court and after a short stay in Lucknow he returned at last to Murshidabad whence he had set out so many years before. Here in this seat of learning, it seems, he determined to settle down to spend his declining years. But fate willed otherwise.

During his long absence there had been great changes in his old home at Hooghly. His sister Manu Jan Khanum had married her cousin Mirza Salahuddin Mahomed Khan, nephew of Agha Motaher, whom he had followed from Persia. The marriage was an extremely happy one, Mirza Salahuddin devoting himself to the management of his wife's large estates and entering with her into all her plans for their improvement and the welfare of all those connected with them. In Hooghly itself where Manu Jan Khanum had been known from childhood, they were universally respected and beloved. The Imambara that her father had commenced, she and her husband made their special care, adding to and completing what he had begun, while close by, for the benefit of those who came to worship, Mirza Salahuddin established a hât which is still known by his name.

Their short spell of married happiness, however, was brought to a sudden close by Mirza Salahuddin's untimely death, while still in the prime of life. His loss was a great blow to Manu Jan Khanum who had learned to rely upon him in conducting the business of her estates. Though there were not wanting many who aspired to fill his place, she remained faithful to his memory keeping the control of her affairs in her own hands and showing great tact and ability in the management of them. It was but natural that a widow of such wealth and position should be sought in marriage, and Manu Jan Khanum was not without suitors. Among them was Nawab Khan Jahan Khan of Hooghly but, suspecting his motives, she replied to the messengers whom he sent with the offer of his hand. "Affection is greater than wealth. You have not been able to offer me the greater, how therefore can I give you the less?"

With advancing years, however, the management of her vast estates became too heavy a burden for her. Her thoughts naturally turned to the stepbrother, the companion of her youth, from whom she had been so long parted, and she resolved to summon him from Murshidabad and entrust the whole of her property to his management. It was only on her earnest solicitations that Mahomed Moshin was prevailed upon to leave his retreat at Murshidabad. Feeling, that it was his duty to come to her assistance, he gave up the life of study and seclusion that he had marked out for himself, and came to Hooghly to undertake the arduous duties of manager of his half-sister's great estates. The years that followed must have been busy ones for Mahomed Mohsin, very different from those that he had spent wandering from city to city with no worldly cares to harass him. The knowledge of the help he was enabled to render to his sister and the pleasure of her society were, however, sufficient compensation. Manu Jan Khanum, relieved of all anxiety as to her worldly affairs, devoted her remaining years to charity and prayer, tenderly cared for by Mahomed Mohsin whose earliest years she herself had so carefully watched over. She died at the age of eighty-one in 1803 A.D. leaving as the last and greatest proof of her affection for Mahomed Moshin a will bequeathing him the whole of her estate.

It was thus not until Haji Mahomed Mohsin had reached the age of seventy-three that he became possessed of the great wealth which he was to put to so good a use. He had never married and the death of his half-sister left him without near relatives. There is something pathetic in the figure of this old man in its utter loneliness, which the great wealth that had suddenly come to him but served to accentuate. There lived with him, it is true, the two companions whom he had brought with him from Murshidabad, Rajib Ali Khan and Shakir Ali Khan, but how little they were truly his friends subsequent events were only too clearly to prove. But undismayed by the responsibilities before him, Mahomed Moshin set himself to administer the estate wisely and well. So far as he was personally concerned, this new access of wealth made but little change. He lived as he had lived before, the same simple frugal life of the traveller and the scholar that he had always known. But in so far as it enabled him to widen the sphere of his charities and kindly deeds, his inheritance was welcome to him. Almost the whole of his large income he spent in charity. Not content with relieving those cases of sickness or distress that came to his notice, he made it his personal concern to seek out those who needed help. It is said that he was even wont to disguise himself and wander through the poorest quarters of the town seeking out 'the famished beggar, the starving widow and the helpless orphan,' and relieving their distress. Though a strict and orthodox Muhammadan, he took no account of caste or creed when it was a case of helping suffering humanity. Helplessness and poverty alone were sufficient passwords to his large and generous heart. Many stories are told of his magnanimity and generosity. Once, it is said, a thief broke into his house and entered his sleeping apartment at dead of night. Mahomed Mohsin, waking opportunely, sprang up and seized the thief, quickly overpowering him. But recognising him as a resident of the place who had fallen on evil days, he released him and upbraided him for his unworthy conduct. Shamed and penitent, the thief implored his pardon. Mahomed Mohsin not only set him free but gave him money to tide over his immediate difficulties. So astonished was the thief and so grateful for the generosity shown him that even though it was to his own detriment he could not refrain from relating the incident in after days, always maintaining that it was Mahomed Moshin's magnanimous conduct that had saved him from sinking into still lower depths of crime.

Mahomed Moshin, however, was not content with these small acts of charity. He was anxious that his great wealth should be put to good uses after his death, which he knew now could not be far off. With this object, on April the 26th, 1806, he signed a Deed of Trust, setting apart the whole of his income for charitable purposes in perpetuity. This deed is now preserved among the treasures of the Imambara at Hooghly, on one of the walls of which facing the river, a copy of it in English has been inscribed, so that all who pass may read of the charity of Mahomed Mohsin. The will runs—

'I, Hajee Mahummud Moshin, son of Hajee Fyzoollah, son of Agha Fuzloollah, inhabitant of Bundur Hugli, in the full possession of all my senses and faculties, with my own free will and accord, do make the following correct and legal declaration. That the Zumeendaree of Purgannah Qismut Sueedpore, &c. appendant to Zillah Jusur, and Purgunnah Sobhnal also appendant to the Zillah aforesaid, and one house situated in Hooghly, (known and distinguished as Imambara) and Imambazar, and Hât [Market] also situated in Hooghly, and all the goods and chattels appertaining to the Imambara agreeably to a separate list; the whole of which have devolved on me by inheritance, and of which the proprietary possession I enjoy up to this present time; as I have no children, nor grand-children, nor other relatives, who would become my legal heirs:—and as I have full wish and desire to keep up and continue the usages and charitable expenditures [Murasumo Ukhrahat-i-husneh] of the Fateha &c., of the Huzrat [on whom be blessings and rewards] which have been the established practice of the family, I therefore hereby give purely for the sake of God the whole of the above property, with all its rights, immunities, and privileges, whole and entire, little or much, in it, with it, or from it, and whatever [by way of appendage] might arise from it, relate or belong to it as a permanent Appropriation for the following expenditures;—and have hereby appointed Rujub Uli Khan, son of Sheikh Mohummud Sadiq, and Shakir Uli Khan, son of Ahmud Khan, who have been tried and approved by me, as possessing understanding, knowledge, religion and probity Mutwallies (trustees or superintendents) of the said Wuqf or Appropriation, which I have given in trust to the above two individuals—that, aiding and assisting each other, they might consult, advise and agree together in the joint management of the business of the said Appropriation, in manner as follows:—that the aforenamed Mutwallies, after paying the revenues of Government, shall divide the remaining produce of the Muhals aforenamed into nine shares of which three shares they shall disburse in the observance of the Fateha of Huzrut Syud-Kayunat (head of the creation) the last of the Prophets, and of the sinless Imams (on all of whom be the blessings and peace of God)—and in the expenditures appertaining to the Ushra of Mohurrumool-huram (ten days of the sacred Mohurrum), and all other blessed days of feasts and festivals; and in the repairs of the Imambara and Cemetery; Two shares the Mutwallis, in equal portion, shall appropriate to themselves for their own expenses,—and Four shares shall be disbursed in the payment of the establishment, and of those whose names are inserted in the separate list signed and sealed by me. In regard to the daily expenses, monthly stipends of the stipendiaries, respectable men, peadas and other persons, who at this present moment stand appointed, the Mutwallis aforenamed after me, have full power to retain, abolish or discharge them as it may appear to them most fit and expedient. I have publicly committed the Appropriation to the charge of the two abovenamed individuals. In the event of a Mutwalli finding himself unable to conduct the business of the Appropriation, he may appoint any one whom he may think most fit and proper, as a Mutwalli to act in his behalf. For the above reasons this documents is given in writing this 19th day of Bysakh, in the year of Hijree 1221, corresponding with the Bengal year 1213, that whenever it be required it may prove a legal deed.'

Haji Mahomed Mohsin lived for six years after making this truly noble disposition of his property. For his own personal use he had reserved only so much property as would bring him in about one hundred rupees a month. Upon this small sum he was content to live, busily employed in setting the great Trust in order so that it might be wisely and well administered after his death. It is difficult to imagine a more admirable close to the end of a long and well-spent life than this chosen by Mahomed Mohsin. Rich beyond the dreams of avarice, he voluntarily gave up every thing, anxious only to see before his death the great Charitable Trust that he had founded so well administered that it might never, for all time to come, fail in the great objects for which he had designed it. Revered and respected in life, he thus raised up to himself while he yet lived a monument more lasting than brick and stone, a monument that will last for all time and which already in the century that has passed has caused so many generations to bless his name.

In 1812 Haji Mahomed Mohsin died at the ripe old age of eighty-two. He was buried with all the simplicity that he himself desired in the garden adjoining the Imambara which he had so splendidly endowed. He lies close by his well-loved step-sister, Manu Jan Khanum to whom he owed both his early training and the great inheritance of his later years. Near them are two other graves, those of Manu's husband Mirza Salahuddin Mahomed Khan and of her father Agha Motaher. No fitting monument or inscription marked their graves for nearly a hundred years. It was only on the centenary of the foundation of the great Trust that a handsome canopy was erected over them as a fitting outward symbol of the affection and gratitude with which in spite of the lapse of time so many still regard their memory.

It is sad to turn from the noble and pious life of Haji Mahomed Mohsin to the meanness and treachery of those whom he had trusted. To Rajib Ali Khan and Shakir Ali Khan, he had given inumerable proofs of his friendship, lavishing his affection upon them in life and generously providing for them after his death. By the terms of the will, the administration of the Trust Fund, according to the conditions laid down, was left entirely in their hands as Mutwallis. The income from the property was to be divided into nine shares. Three shares were to be devoted for ever to religious observances and the maintenance of the Imambara, four shares were to be devoted to non-religious charitable purposes to be chosen by the Mutwallis for the time being, while the remaining two shares were to be their personal property. The two Mutwallis nominated by Mahomed Mohsin were to be allowed to appoint their own successors. Mahomed Mohsin had thus provided generously for his two friends, but so far short did they fall of his trust and confidence that they endeavoured to conceal the will and take possession of the whole property. Sakir Ali Khan dying soon after Mahomed Mohsin, appointed his son Baker Ali Khan his successor as Mutwalli, while Rajib Ali the other original Mutwalli not long afterwards also appointed his son Wasiq Ali Khan to succeed him. The two sons of the first two Mutwallis thus reigned in their stead. So scandalous was their management of the Trust that the Board of Revenue was soon forced to interfere under the Provisions of Regulation XIX of 1810. The finding of the court of Sudder Dewani Adaulat before which the case came, bears striking testimony to their mismanagement. 'The proper objects of the endowment were neglected,' it ran, 'and the Government revenue fell into arrears, while the income was spent on quarrels between the managers, bribes to the police and amins, and gifts to the manager's relatives. They, moreover, in order to increase their own profits at the expense of the Trust, forged a perpetual lease in their own favour and that of their relatives, purporting to have been executed by Haji Mahomed Mohsin before the deed of foundation.' By an order of November the 16th, 1815, Syed Ali Akbar Khan was appointed manager by Government to act in conjunction with the two Mutwallis and to set the affairs of the Trust on a satisfactory footing. Anxious to interfere as little as possible with the intentions of the original founder, Government adopted this only as a temporary measure, and a few months later again restored full management to the two Mutwallis, certain rules for their guidance being laid down. They were not long, however, in proving how little they deserved this clemency on the part of Government, continuing their course of peculation and embezzlement with renewed vigour. Finally in 1818, the Collector of Jessore in whose district a large portion of the Trust property lay, ejected them from the management with the approval of the Board of Revenue. The Mutwallis made every effort to retain so profitable a stewardship, bringing their case repeatedly before the courts. On the decision of the Sessions Judge of Hooghly being given against them, they appealed to Calcutta and finally to the Privy Council. The original judgment was, however, consistently upheld and its confirmation by the Privy Council in 1835 at length set the matter at rest.

Since March, 1817 the control of the Mahomed Mohsin Trust estate has thus been in the hands of Government. In order to fulfil the original intentions of the founder as far as possible, a Mutwalli was appointed to have charge of all that concerned the Imambara and the religious side of the endowment. Syed Ali Khan Bahadur being nominated as the first Mutwalli under the new order. In 1821 the property of the Trust was sold in putni tenures, the sum obtained amounting to upwards of six lacs of rupees. As the appeal of the former Mutwallis was still before the courts it was made a condition of the sale that, in the event of the case being lost, the purchase money should be restored with interest. The sum obtained was therefore invested in government security so as to be available in case of need.

The case having been finally decided in 1835, in favour of the action taken by Government, new regulations were drawn up confirming the Trust and creating the 'Mahomed Mohsin Education Endowment Fund.' The Government of India made known its decision in the following terms—

'The Governor-General in Council, deeming himself to have succeeded to the full authority and power assigned by Haji Mahomed Mohsin to the Mutwalli considers it to be entirely in his power to determine upon the appropriation of the funds, subject of course to the condition of adhering as closely as possible to the wishes of the testator in points on which they have been declared.

'Now it appears that the growing income from the Jessore estate was the only fund in the testator's contemplation, and the expenses of the Imambara, the Mutwalli's allowances, with the pensions and establishment, are charges specifically upon that income, which is estimated by the subcommittee at Hooghly to yield the sum of Rs. 45,000 per annum.

'The Governor-General adverting to the conditions of the will resolves that three-ninths of the income from the Zemindaries shall permanently be assigned for the current expenses of the Imambara. Of the two-ninths of the income assigned to the Mutwallis but which are now at the disposal of the Government, the Governor-General in Council assigns one-ninth to the agent or Mutwalli appointed by the Government, but he does not deem it necessary to appoint a second Mutwalli or to appropriate the second ninth share assigned by the testator to the co-trustee nominated in the original will. This ninth, therefore, will be available for general purposes of a benevolent nature along with the surplus fund to which I shall presently advert.

'The four-ninths of the Zemindari income appropriated by the testator to pensions and establishments must remain burthened with these charges, but as many of the pensions must have lapsed, the Governor-General in Council considers that the income arising from such lapses may be fairly added to the surplus fund appropriable to general purposes. The expenses of the hospital will, however, remain a permanent charge under this head, but there appears to be an expense incurred for education at present which will be of course merged in the original fund.

'In pursuance of the principles above laid down there remain at the disposal of Government for general purposes of a beneficent nature, first, one-ninth of the annual income of the Zemindaries; second, the lapsed pensions; and third, the entire amount arising from the interest of the accumulated fund now invested in promissory notes of the Government.

'The Governor-General in Council is of opinion that, after setting apart from the last-mentioned fund such amount as may be necessary to provide appropriate buildings, including the charge of rebuilding or repairing the Imambara and other religious edifices, if it should be found necessary to renew these, the entire remainder should be considered as a Trust Fund, the interest of which with other items specified, may be appropriated to purposes of education by the foundation of a collegiate institution imparting instructions of all kinds in the higher departments of education according to the principles heretofore explained.

'In this manner the Governor-General in Council conceives that the pious and beneficent purposes of the founder of the Hooghly endowment will best be fulfilled and under the latitude given for the determinations of the specific uses to which any surplus funds of the estate are to be appointed, he cannot see that the assignment of the surplus which has arisen in this instance, partly from the delay in consequence of litigation, and partly from the fines realised from the mode of management, adapted to purposes of education in the manner stated, will be any deviation from the provision of the dead.'

In the following year the Hooghly College was opened with the surplus funds at the disposal of Government. The College was affiliated to the Calcutta University and was open to members of all religious communities, the building acquired for it being the fine house on the banks of the Hooghly originally built by the famous General Perron. So great was its success that, within three days of its opening, its students numbered twelve hundred in the English and three hundred in the Oriental Department. For thirty-seven years, the College was maintained by the Mohsin Fund. The proportion of Muhammadan students, however, was eventually considered too small to justify the expenditure of so large a portion of the Trust Fund upon it, and the maintenance of the Hooghly College was otherwise provided for. The income from the Trust Fund thus released was set apart, partly for the support of Madrassas at Dacca, Chittagong, Rajshahi and Hooghly, and partly for the assistance of Muhammadan students, by granting them two-thirds of their fees at any English school or college in Bengal. Whereas the income from the Trust Fund in 1835 only amounted to 45.000 Rs. it now amounts to over a lac and a half, and administered on these lines, the benefit which it has conferred upon the cause of education among the Muhammadan community in Bengal is incalculable.

In 1848 two lacs of rupees were spent on enlarging and improving the Imambara itself, when the building, after many alternations since the days of its first construction by Agha Motaher, finally assumed the form which it bears to-day. It is a magnificent structure on the banks of the Hooghly, commanding splendid reaches of the river on either hand. Facing northward over the river the walls bear the full text of Mahomed Mohsin's will inscribed upon them, a striking inscription of a great gift. The inner courtyard, out of which opens the Imambara itself, has a charming air of grandeur and repose, while from the turrets that tower above it a magnificent view of the Imambara and of the surrounding country is obtained. Every where within the building itself texts from the Koran are engraved upon the walls, while many times a day the sound of prayer ascends. In one corner of the quadrangle is the Hospital supported by the funds, while in another are the rooms of the Mutwali, whose sole duty now lies within the Imambara in maintaining the religious observances enjoined by the trust. In 1867 a committee under Section 7 of Act XX of that year was appointed to supervise the management of the Funds allotted for this purpose, which amount to three-ninths of the income of the whole estate. The Mutwali appointed by Government continues to draw his one-ninth share, while all the remainder of the estate is administered by the Collector of Khulna^[1] for charitable and educational purposes.

Thus this magnificent charitable Trust Fund remains after more than one hundred years, fulfilling the intentions of its founder and conferring immense benefits on his co-religionists and fellow-countrymen. Rescued by Government from dissipation and embezzlement on the part of those who should have been its faithful guardians, it has been placed in safe keeping so that for all time it may serve the great purposes for which it was designed. No man could have raised a greater and more noble monument to himself than that which bears the name of Haji Mahomed Mohsin.

1. The District of Khulna was formed out of portions of the Districts of Jessore and the 24 Perganas 1882.