India, is a drawback of great moment. There, all books, all
proclamations, (except such as we print at Calcutta, &c.,) all
newspapers, &c., &c., are manuscripts. It is not to be imagined how few
volumes are to be seen even of this kind. We should suppose that, where
provisions, lodging, cloathing, fuel, &c., are so remarkably cheap,
learning would become general: the reverse is, however, the case; not
one in five hundred can read, or write, even indifferently. There are
abundance of little day-schools to which children may be sent at a very
trifling expence; but there they learn very little. Generally, a bed of
sand serves for paper, and a finger, or a piece of stick, for pen and
ink; consequently, no traces of any instruction remain for the future
consideration of the pupil. The more affluent, and the more zealous,
ordinarily provide their children with a board, about a foot long, and
nine or ten inches wide, which, being painted black, and varnished,
becomes an admirable tablet, whereon the young folks are enabled to
write their lessons with a reed pen; the ink being generally chalk and
water. To these, though certainly more perfect than the former mode, the
same objection exists; namely, that they want stability, and that the
lesson is no sooner repeated by rote, and written much in the same
manner, than it is forgotten, at least it never again obtrudes on the
eye; since, in order to make way for further instruction, it is
necessarily expunged.
The _koits_, or scribes, and the _láláhs_, or accountants, (though the
latter often confine their occupations to merely reading or
transcribing,) are nearly the same among the lower classes, especially
where the Naugry character is in question, that the _moonshies_ are
among the superior orders, who, almost invariably, use the Persian
language and character, in all public, as well as in private, matters.
So far, indeed, is this carried, that Persian is held to be both the
language of the Court, and of the Law.
As those who study the Persian are aided by _moonshies_, so are such
persons as would acquire the Naugry character necessitated to employ
_koits_, or _láláhs_, for that purpose. The wages of these may be from
two to five rupees per month; but, in some families, the servants
contribute to the extent of a few annas, or, eventually, as far as a
rupee, in the aggregate; in consideration of which _douceur_, the
_láláh_ commonly writes letters for them to their friends, and explains
the answers, &c. Such servants as have the charge of money to be
disbursed on master’s account, commonly take care to be on good terms
with this _cullum-burdar_ (_i.e._ quill-driver); who, as has been said
of _compadores_, generally taxes all items he knows to be overcharged,
by a small deduction in his own favor.
Persons of this class often keep little schools, such as have been
described, and then are designated _gooroos_; a term implying that kind
of respect we entertain for pastors in general.
If we contemplate the extreme inattention prevalent throughout
Hindostan, respecting literary attainments, and the great cunning
practised by the priesthood, in their sedulous endeavors to prevent the
natives from receiving the least information regarding philosophy in
general, it must appear surprizing that so much has been done by the
artizans of Bengal towards the adaptation of their labors to the
convenience of the British residents. Our admiration of these people
cannot but be heightened, from the circumstance of particular trades
being confined to particular _casts_, or sects; for though we may,
possibly, at first view, consider that to be an advantage, inasmuch as
it should seem to perpetuate knowledge in an hereditary line, those who
have resided in the East fully know that no such heir-loom ability is to
be found: on the other hand, we immediately recognize the bar raised
against genius; which, when to be found within the _cast_, may struggle
for ever under some base, forbidding, and loathsome degradation; or, if
it should start in another sect, cannot adopt its native intention, but
must resign in favor of some other pursuit, perhaps requiring no genius;
or, eventually, one of a very different bent. Once a carpenter, always a
carpenter; once a swine-herd, always a swine-herd!
The evil effects attendant upon the useful arts in general, from such a
system, are certainly great, but by no means to be compared with the
degradations, and consequent imbecility, inseparable from the total
suppression of every thing tending to excite emulation. When we see an
hereditary priesthood, and that, too, by no means remarkable for the
paucity of its members, we cannot but picture to ourselves the arrogance
thus privileged in the whole of that tribe, and the humiliation which
marks the actions, as well as the sentiments, of all who do not stand
within the hallowed pale. Such a contrast can exist only while one party
can deceive, and while the other deems accusation to be nothing less
than blasphemy; therefore we cannot be mistaken regarding the only means
of correction: to wit, a knowledge of the world, and of its inhabitants;
or what we, in other terms, call learning. Pour but a little of this
into the minds of a certain number; satisfy them that morality in
Europe, and morality in Asia, are the same thing; that ‘whether we do
our duties in a black skin, or in a white one,’ matters not; that men
were born to aid each other, and not to be made the slaves of party,
sect, or color; and, that he who knows most regarding the works of the
Creator, is most likely to have a proper sense of his bounty. Convince
the natives of India, or of any other nation, that such is the truth,
and that you practise, while you teach, the doctrines of Christianity,
and nothing will, in the end, be able to stand against so formidable an
attack. But if we proceed, as has been too rashly done, to attempt a
schism among them by mere declamation, or by means of creeds and
parables in which they have no belief, (merely because they know no
better,) our object will be either mistaken, or designedly
misrepresented; and we shall experience in Asia all those penalties that
formerly awaited the avowal of Lutheranism in Europe! In brief; convince
the natives that their priests are fools and knaves, and that poverty,
disgrace, and even disease, are the consequences of a mistaken bigotry,
and the whole country will prostrate itself at your feet!
Waving every other objection, and resting solely on the very inadequate
means of instruction afforded by parents to their children, through the
medium of _koits_, _láláhs_, and _gooroos_, it seems probable that,
unless some effectual reform may take place, the natives of India are
likely to remain in darkness, _ad infinitum_. This is the more to be
regretted, when we consider how willing they are to follow such means as
may be offered them, provided those means may not oppose established
principles, nor be contrary to their ideas of sanctity and benevolence.
Nor can we but repine at such infatuations among a race whose
intellectual qualities, whatever may be said by ignorant or designing
men, are at least on a par with those of Europeans. That they are
perverted, will not be denied; but, that they are naturally imperfect,
needs little proof indeed! Set some dozens, or scores, of our youths to
bellow in unison, (with all the _ennui_ attendant upon monotonous rote,)
any particular passages from the Scripture, day after day, and year
after year; and, after some seasons, search among them for Newtons,
Lockes, Blackstones, and Solons! The result need not be told!
In recommending to those of my readers who may be intent upon acquiring
a knowledge of the language, (by which I mean not only the Bengallee,
and the Hindui, both of which may be considered vernacular, but the
Persian also,) to purchase such translations as may be extant of the
works of Indian authors, I am far from being partial to their contents,
and disclaim the idea of affording any thing more than exercise in
translation when I do so; for there appears to me a great disposition to
trifle, or to the hyperbole, in all I have ever seen. By means of such
translations, the originals may be more readily understood, whereby the
study may be rendered both brief and pleasing; provided proper attention
be paid to all material points, and that, in reading the translation,
the student does not indulge in the erroneous opinion that he is making
himself master of the original. Almost every book written in the East is
the production of some court sycophant: a few have resulted from the
labors of men who, being disposed to meditation, have committed their
reveries to paper; and, a very small portion have displayed such
scintillations of ability, as leave us to regret they were either not
better educated, so as to enlighten their countrymen, or that they were
not born in those parts of the world where their talents might have been
fostered, and duly appreciated. With regard to ethics, numbers have
amused themselves, to all appearance, more from ostentation than from
‘being virtuous over-much.’ The facility with which scraps from the
Koran, (_i.e._ the Bible of the Mahomedans,) may be set forth in glowing
terms, in a language rich in expression, has, no doubt, induced many a
very tolerable lay-man to annoy his neighbours, by the repetition of
page after page of the most tiresome tautologies, whereon his fame has
been built: of this description abundance exist, all alike unworthy of
review.
I have always thought the poets of India to be particularly happy in
those little tales which convey a moral, though a very worldly one,
under some alluring allegory. From this, however, I exempt the
celebrated HEETOPADES, translated by Mr. Wilkins. This, by general
consent, is allowed to be the store from whence _Pilpay’s Fables_ have
been taken; but the original can never appear in competition with their
offspring; for, while the latter are interesting, and afford a very rich
treat, by their apt application to the affairs of life, the former are
heavy, dull, tedious, and of a most motley character; the subject is
generally forced, and spun out into all the varieties garrulity could
invent!
The Asiatic student may find, in the several works of Gilchrist,
Baillie, F. Gladwin, Sir. W. Jones, Sir William Ousely, Richardson, and
Wilkins, abundance of instruction in the several languages most current
in Hindostan; the Asiatic Researches will give him a considerable
insight into a number of interesting and important matters relating to
the natural history of the East, the manners, and the climate under
consideration; while, by means of Colebrooke’s Digest of the Hindu Laws,
and Rousseau’s Dictionary of Mahomedan Law, he may become very generally
acquainted with that important branch of knowledge. With respect to the
politics of the country, they have been so much canvassed, that various
treatises on that topic are to be had: unfortunately, all are either
devoted to partial considerations, or written to serve a party!
In almost every country, whereof the inhabitants are either considered
by their neighbours, or deem themselves to be, civilized, the records of
the state, the several libraries, whether scholastic, traditionary,
scientific, or amusing only, are open to the inspection of persons of
all nations; and, above all, the sacred institutions are subject to
visitation, and even to research. In India, no such recreation or
benefit is ever afforded to the inquisitive traveller, who may remain,
for years, within a stone’s-throw of what, to him, would appear an
invaluable treasure, without his being able to obtain the smallest
indulgence in aid of his pursuits. Whatever may be the complaints
against our continental neighbours on the score of persecution, we must
give them credit for the most ample toleration of the million of
visitors who intrude on their several cabinets, libraries, &c.; some,
from the most laudable motives, others, actuated by the mere desire of
seeing all that is to be seen, without, in the least, regarding those
points by which the philosophic eye is naturally attracted. Though so
heavy a charge lies against the Hindus, on account of their strict
rejection of our countrymen, in general, when application has been made
for information on particular points, it must be allowed, that they
doubtless have, in a few instances, been more explicit, and furnished
information on particular topics, which, to us, has proved extremely
interesting.
In truth, we have no exclusive right of complaint; for all nations, and
all sects, except their own, have been equally subject to denial; or,
when indulged, have been compelled to perform some ceremonies obnoxious
to their faith, or to their persons. Whether this be absolutely
necessary, or has been devised solely with the intention of deterring
the curious, may not be difficult to determine; thus much we know, that,
in order to obtain admission to a knowledge of certain forms, or to the
perusal of certain records, various operations, amounting nearly to
apostacy, though no recantation be made, must be performed.
There is room to doubt whether any true accounts of the antiquity of the
Seek College at Benares, and of the migrations of the Hindus from the
countries bordering on Palestine, actually exists: many persons, of
considerable talents, and of great erudition, are disposed to treat the
whole of what has been delivered to us, with so much solemnity, by the
_Pundits_, or learned Brahmans, as a deception, intended to ridicule our
curiosity, and to repress, or at least to divert, it from the true
course. Circumstances may be adduced in support of this hypothesis; and
we cannot but regard the manner in which the _Pundits_ arrogate to
themselves the whole knowledge of their history, which is carefully
concealed from a large portion even of the Brahmans, as a circumstantial
proof of our having been designedly led astray, both by a fictitious
record, and by a well concerted fable, invented for the occasion: this
may be aptly compared to the whale and the tub. Fortunately, no material
point appears to rest on the antiquity, or otherwise, of the Hindu
mythology, or the records of the Seeks, regarding the origin of that
people; though it would perhaps be found, that their true exposition
might tend to afford many proofs in favor of the mission of our Saviour.
When the immense extent of territory we hold in India is considered,
and, that perhaps no country in the world offers greater facilities, not
only for literary correspondence, but for the researches of naturalists,
the conveyance of gross articles, and the manufacture of raw materials,
which every where abound, we cannot but lament the want of such
institutions as might enable us to turn such important advantages to the
immediate benefit of Great Britain, on the most unbounded scale. We are
absolutely ignorant of a million of facts now included, either directly,
or by affinity, in our endless catalogue of desiderata, which need not
remain in that disgraceful list, provided due means were taken to
correct our errors, and to extend our resources. During the dry season,
or at least for four months in the year, scarce a part of the country
opposes the progress of a traveller; unless through those immense
wildernesses already described. It may, on the whole, be said, that one
half the country is passable at all seasons by land; though the progress
will doubtless be slow, and difficult, during the heavy falls of rain.
Intercourse is never at a stand. The _dawk_, or post, proceeds at all
seasons; and is rarely more than two days longer on its way from
Calcutta to the upper provinces, than at the favorable time of the year.
Bridges and ferries are found on all the great roads; whereby regiments
have occasionally marched on emergency with such despatch, as could
scarcely have been exceeded even during the hot season.
The communication with Europe, overland, has been established, during
peaceable times, for full twenty years; but it was not until about
twelve years ago, that the public have been permitted to avail
themselves of so essential a means of correspondence at fixed rates, and
under particular regulations. Prior to that period, the Company used to
receive, and to despatch, packets overland, in which occasional
indulgences were granted to favored individuals. I abstract this from
the very old custom of sending intelligence, on sudden occasions, by the
despatch of some confidential person to or from India. The utility of
some permanent and certain conveyance for letters from a quarter daily
becoming more opulent, and more important, cannot be doubted; were it
only for the purpose of transmitting bills of exchange payable after
sight, the notices of bankruptcies, the information of intended
consignments, the state of the markets, &c., such a systematic
communication must be invaluable to the several merchants. To the
Government it is of the highest importance! Many complain of the heavy
rates of postage overland, and others of the severe restrictions; but
such complaints are ill founded: the expence of the posts is very heavy,
and it is indispensably necessary for Government to hold a severe check
over whatever intercourse might lead to mischief.
The tables of postage, and of _bangy_ carriage, contained in the
Directory, will enable the reader to judge how far the charges are from
being exorbitant: he will not fail to recollect, that the sums paid in
Britain are very trifling, owing to the immense intercourse subsisting
between the several parts of the kingdom, far beyond what exists in any
part of India. Bath is the same distance from London that the
cantonments of Berhampore are from Calcutta, viz. 106 miles: the former
pays 8d. postage, the latter 4 annas, which is about the same sum: the
other charges are considerably cheaper; viz. Allahabad, which is full
five hundred miles from Calcutta, pays only 7 annas (about 13½d.); but
this is on the great road, while the other is scarcely to be considered
a thoroughfare, compared with what it was before the new road was cut
through the Ramghur district to Chunar.
With the exception of such parts as may be infested by tigers, the post
seldom or never fails of arriving within an hour of its appointed time;
except, as has been observed, when the waters are out; in which case,
many circuitous roads must be followed, whereby the way is considerably
lengthened in the aggregate. Taking the average, a hundred miles per day
may be run over by the _dawk_, or post, in fair weather. Each mail-bag
is conveyed by an _hirkarah_, (or runner,) who is attended by one or two
_doog-doogy-wallahs_, or drummers, who keep up a kind of ‘long-roll,’ as
they pass any suspicious place. Ordinarily, two _mosaulchees_, or
link-bearers, accompany each _dawk_; and, where tigers are known to
commit depredations, one or two _teerin-dauzes_, or archers, are
supplied, under the intention of protecting the party. But such puny aid
is of no avail; for the onset of the tiger is too sudden, and too
discomfiting, to allow any effort of consequence to be timously adopted:
the very act of seizure is a death-blow, from which I never heard of any
recovery; provided the unhappy victim were not so particularly situated
as to prevent it from decidedly taking effect.
Here it may be needful to explain, that a tiger invariably strikes his
prey with the fore paw, in so forcible a manner as often to fracture the
skull; which, generally, is the object aimed at: many oxen have had
their cheek bones shivered by the contusion. It sometimes happens, that
the marks of one or two claws are to be seen, but they are generally _en
passant_, and by no means the result of primary intention. The wrist of
a tiger being often nearly two feet in circumference, may give some idea
of the violence with which the _coup de grace_ falls on the head of a
human being! The _mosauls_, or _flambeaux_, are intended to intimidate
the tigers, as are also the _doog-doogies_, but experience has shewn
that, when hungry, tigers are not to be restrained by any such device:
indeed, instances have occurred of the _mosaulchees_ themselves being
carried off. It would, nevertheless, be presumptuous to judge from such
partial data, that many tigers are not deterred by the noise and fire
accompanying the letter-carriers; on the contrary, there should rather
seem a probability, that many young tigers, or such grown ones as may
not be hungry, nor be attended by cubs, are frequently intimidated from
those attacks they would make but for these precautions. A residence of
two years at Hazary-Bang, the station for a battalion in the Ramghur
district, enabled me to form a fair estimate of the dangers to which the
_dawk_, and travellers in general, were subject. During some seasons,
the roads were scarcely to be considered passable; day after day, for
nearly a fortnight in succession, some of the _dawk_ people were carried
off, either at Goomeah, Kannachitty, Katcumsandy, or Dungaie; four
passes in that country, all famous for the exploits of these enemies to
the human race!
So few valuables are ever sent by the post, that thieves never attempt
any depredations on the letter-bags. _Hoondiés_ (_i.e._ banker’s drafts)
would be of no use whatever to them; and as bank notes are not in
general currency, no object is held out for enterprize of that
description. Nor do the _dawk-bangies_, or parcel-dawks, offer any
substantial inducement; for, even if any plate, or watches, or trinkets,
were to be sent by such a conveyance, the want of a market, and the
impossibility of confiding in any village jeweller, would render the act
both hazardous and unavailing. Hence, the _dawk_ generally proceeds in
perfect safety, throughout every part of the country; while the
_bangies_ maybe considered equally secure; except, indeed, in some parts
of the dominions of the Nabob Vizier of Oude, where a lawless
uncontrolled banditti subject every passenger to contribution: this evil
is fortunately on the decline, in consequence of our having assumed the
reins of government.