744 Proceedings of tlie Asiatic Society. [Aug. 



tiiic subject, without borrowing: a considerable portion of words from Urdu, two. 

 thirds of wliich consists of Arabic and Persian words. 



The state of literature in those parts of the country where these languages are 

 spoken is not yet such, as to be expected that the people would derive much benefit 

 from books similar to the medical vade mecurn. The great mass of the people can- 

 not read works like these with proportionate benefit without a previous acquirement 

 or knowledge in the Sanskrit, Persian or Arabic language. But a vernacular version 

 from such works may be useful and prove advantageous only in colleges where 

 medical science is taught ; but it will be necessary for the aid of the munshi or a 

 pandit to learn it. 



Ram Comul Sen. 



IZth August, 1838. 



Minute by Dr. N. Wallich. 



1 am clearly of opinion that there ought to be correct versions in the two classi- 

 cal languages of the East, of at least the elementary works in sciences ; were it only 

 for the purpose of fixing the nomenclature on some sort of sound basis. Speaking 

 of Sanskrita, I believe I am right in asserting, that the language is understood 

 to be fully capable of expressing or rendering every possible term of science, that 

 has any meaning at all. I therefore adhere to the opinion already expressed by our 

 Committee that Madhusudan's translation should be published in the manner 

 we have recommended. 



With regard to versions of works of this nature into the vernacular languages, I 

 cannot help considering the matter as bein^ of such obvious importance as scarcely to 

 admit of a question or a doubt. But still I would say let us have accurate Sanskrita 

 translations in the first instance ; it will then be safe — I had almost said possible 

 to have accurate versions in Bengali, — for I presume that is the vernacular language 

 to which Mr. Prinsep alludes. 



With every deference to Dewan Ram Comul Sen's opinion, coming as it does 

 from a first-rate Sanskrita scholar (the only Sanskrit scholar among us) and author 

 of one of the best English and Bengali Dictionaries extant, I must suppose, that the 

 reason alleged for the Vidya-hara-buli not being much used is not the only, per- 

 haps not the chief one. 



N. Wallich. 

 Minute by Dr. H. H. Spry. 



Dewan Ram Comul Sen's reasons are I think all cogent ; and being at this mo- 

 ment engaged in a statistical investigation into the state of education in Hindustan 

 I can show by the aid of figures that there are only two languages known in Hindus- 

 tan through the instrumentality of which the translation of any work of European 

 science can hope for success. Learning, as all must know, is in this country, limited 

 by the peculiar grade in which the individual happens to be born, and there is in 

 consequence, no mutual connection between the vernacular and learned schools. Boys 

 in this country do not go first to the preparatory school or academy and afterwards 

 to the college, but these institutions are two separate schools, each existing for a 

 perfectly distinct class of Society — the one for the trading and agricultural commu- 

 nity, and the other for the religious and learned classes. ^Indeed so carefully is this 

 distinction observed by the Hindu population that the children of the latter class are 

 seldom, if ever, permitted to attend the village vernacular school, but such prepara- 

 tory instruction as is requisite, before sitting down to Sanskrita, is given under the 

 parent's own roof. Again, the Hindu vernacular schools never profess to afford in- 

 struction beyond the mere knowledge of keeping accounts accurately, while the 

 masters themselves are more than half (|||) of the inferior (Kayastha) or writer 

 caste ; and what is still more to the point there are in Lower Hindustan alone no 

 fewer than five distinct vernacular dialects— viz. Bengali, Hindi, Uriya, Trihutiya, 

 and Persian with Urdu. In Behar and Shahabad the second of these tongues is 

 in general use, but it differs very much from the Hindi of Patna, while the Maro- 

 •wars speak a dialect of the Hindi language not less different from that of Patna 

 than the dialect of Bhojpur is, and with the Musalmans, Persian instruction is the 

 only substitute for vernacular instruction except in cases in which Mussalmans 

 resort to Bengali and Hindi schools ; and although the Hindustani or Urdu is the 

 current spoken language of the educated Musalmans of Hindustan, it is a remark- 

 able feature in the constitution of Muhammadan Society in Behar and Bengal that 

 it is only known colloquially ;— it is never employed in their schools but to give oral 

 instruction in Arabic. In a total of 1459 vernacular schools in Lower Hindustan, 



or Persian terms so abundantly introduced in the other by its Musulrnan penmen or 

 by Hindu writers bred up in the atmosphere of a Muhammadan court, or of the courts 

 ol justice hitherto conducted in Persian.— Ed. 



