studied the Hindu Shastras and you know that they have not become Hindus. I myself have read the Koran again and again: but has that made me a Musulman? Nay, I have studied the whole Bible and you know I am not a Christian. Why then do you fear to read it? Read it and judge for yourselves." This was the attitude of impartiality that he always adopted. Let each man enquire and gain all the knowledge that he could, then judge for himself.
Ram Mohan was as fearless in supporting Government against the prejudices of his fellow-countrymen as he was in pointing out to the authorities any injustice that they committed or failed to remedy. While he strongly opposed Government over the famous Jury Act of 1827 which he considered introduced unjustifiable religious distinctions into the judicial system of the country, he was equally strong in his defence of the indigo planters of Bengal, whom, at the time of certain indigo labour difficulties, a section of the Indian community was vilifying. He at once instituted special and private inquiries on his own account into the circumstances, and having obtained a true version of the facts, he did not hesitate to proclaim them. He pointed out how widely indigo had benefited Bengal, and in how many places the plantations had brought a wide area of waste land under culti-
