I do not find any account on record of any private institutions for the promotion of Mahomedan learning either in Calcutta or in the surrounding district. Hamilton states that in 1801 there was one, and but one, madrasa or college for instruction in Mahomedan law, but he does not mention its particular locality, and it is not improbable that he refers to the institution endowed by Warren Hastings, and now under the superintendence of the General Committee of Public Instruction. There can be no doubt, however, that in this as well as in other districts of Bengal in which we have no authentic account of the state of Mahomedan learning, that loose system of private tuition already described prevails to a greater or less extent.
English Colleges and Schools.—Under this description it is intended to include all those institutions, both of a higher and a lower grade, one of whose principal objects is to teach the English language, and through that medium European science and literature. These institutions may be distributed into five classes:
1. The first class of English institutions consists of those which have originated exclusively or chiefly with Europeans, and whose avowed object is the improvement of the Native population.
Among institutions of this class, Bishop’s college first attracts attention, so called after the first Indian bishop of the church of England, Dr. Middleton, in consequence of whose urgent representations the Incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts in 1819 agreed to found it. The declared objects of this institution are to instruct Native and other youth in the doctrine and discipline of Christ’s church, in order to their becoming preachers, catechists, and school-masters; to extend the benefits of education generally; to translate the scriptures, liturgy, and other religious works; and to form a residence for European missionaries on their arrival in India—objects so extensive and philanthropic, independent of the general salutary influence of every institution of education whether conducted on religious principles or only for moral, scientific and literary purposes, as to bring it directly within the scope of this report. Bishop’s college, as declared by the statutes, was primarily founded for the maintenance of a principal and two subordinate professors, and for as many students and
