History of Bengali Language and Literature c13: Opinions

History of Bengali Language and Literature c13

Language: English

Opinions

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1. BANGA BHĀṢĀ-O-SĀHITYA—(History of the Bengali Language and Literature.)

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Copies of Correspondence between the Government of India and the India office.

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The Right Hon'ble Lord George Francis Hamilton, Her Majesty's Secretary of State for India.

We have the honour to forward, for your Lordship's consideration, a letter from the Government of Bengal, No. 2637—Mis., dated the 21st August, 1899, enclosing a memorial from Babu Dinesh Chandra Sen, B. A., in which he prays for a pension in recognition of his services as the author of a work entitled Bangabhasa-O-Sahitya, a history of the Bengali Language and Literature.

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This work has been pronounced by competent authorities to be of considerable original research in the history of the language and literature of Bengal and is the first attempt at a complete history of Bengali literature. The materials on which the work is founded were contained in manuscripts hitherto unknown to students, scattered over many districts of Bengal, and the great labour involved in discovering and collating them has told seriously on the health of Babu Dinesh Chandra Sen.

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We consider, that in a country like India, whose scientific literature at the present day consists almost entirely of compilations or translations, the appearance of a meritorious work of original research is deserving of some recognition at the hands of the Government and we accordingly recommend for your Lordship's sanction, the proposal made by the Government of Bengal that the Babu should be given a pension of Rs. 25 a month, with effect from 1st April, 1899.

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We have the honour to be,

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My Lord,

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Your Lordship's most obedient & humble servants,

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(Signed) CURZON OF KEDLESTON.

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,, W. S. A. LOCKHART.

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,, E. H. H. COLLEN.

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,, A. C. TREVOR.

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,, C. M. RIVAZ.

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,, C. E. DAWKINS.

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,, T. RALEIGH.

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INDIA OFFICE. London, 21st December 1899.

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FINANCIAL. No. 248.

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His Excellency the Right Honourable The Governor General of India in Council.

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MY LORD,

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I have considered in council your letter of the 26th of October, No. 364, proposing that a special pension of Rs. 25 a month should be granted to Babu Dinesh Chandra Sen.

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2. Your recommendation is based on the opinion of competent authorities who consider that a work by Babu Dinesh Chandra Sen entitled *Banga Bhasha O Shahitya* exhibits considerable original research in the history of the language and literature of Bengal. You also state that the labour involved in discovering and collating the manuscripts on which the work is based, has told seriously on the health of the author.

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3. Your proposal is sanctioned.

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I have &c.,

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(Sd.) GEORGE HAMILTON.

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EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS AND REVIEWS.

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*Dr. G. A. Grierson, C. S., C. I. E., writes from Simla.*

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"It is an admirable and original account of Bengali Literature. It must long remain the standard authority on the subject."

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Mr. H. J. S. Cotton, C. S., C. S. I., late Chief Commissioner of Assam, wrote under date, March 24, 1897.

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"Babu Dinesh Chandra Sen's History of Bengali Language and Literature appears indeed to be a work of great erudition and labour."

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Mr. F. H. Skrine, late Commissioner of the Chittagong Division, wrote on the 22nd January 1897.

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"The History is a work of profound research and severe thankless toil, which I deeply regret, has affected your health. I say 'thankless' because it is much to be feared that your countrymen will not evince a proper appreciation of your labour in the interest of culture and knowledge; and unless Government comes to the rescue by purchasing a number of copies of the book for distribution amongst its officers, you are likely to be out of pocket by your disinterested exertions.

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The task has not yet advanced beyond a description of the Bengalee language in the times before British Rule. The second part, if it appears at all, will not be a satisfactory record of progress. Bengali, as I have said in print, is a true daughter of ancient Sanskrit, and approaches its parent more nearly than any Indian language in the qualities which have rendered Sanskrit so unrivalled a medium for the expression of the highest ranges of human thought. It unites the mellifluousness of Italian with the power possessed by German of rendering complex ideas, and I cannot but regret that so little encouragement has been been afforded by the State to its cultivation. If a tithe of the pain given by the Bengalis to acquire a smattering of English had been devoted to their mother tongue, they would long since have ceased to merit the reproach of producing little or no original work.

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However, this is not their fault but their misfortune. Thanks to the decision arrived at by the influence of Lord Macaulay, Bengali, in common with the other vernaculars, has pined in the cold shade of official disdain. He who seeks to illustrate them receives neither recognition nor praise; and he cannot look forward to the worldly success which attends a very moderate expertness in the English tongue. * * * Wishing you a speedy recovery and patronage of an enlightened Government, etc.''

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*Later on, Mr. Skrine wrote to Dr. Martin.*

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''It is an epoch-making book. Babu Dinesh Chandra Sen has entirely broken down by the severe labour entailed by this colossal task.

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*Extract from a letter from Dr. Martin, Director of Public Instruction, dated the 29th November 1897.*

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''I have the honour to request that you will be so good as to send 70 copies of it (History of Bengali language and literature) to this office, with a bill of cost. You may also circulate a copy of Pandit Hara Prosad Sastri's review of your book to aided colleges and schools of Bengal, with the intimation that in the opinion of this office, the book is deserving of a place in their libraries.''

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*Extract from a letter from Mr. A. Pedler, F.R. S., Director of Public Instruction, dated the 2nd March, 1899.*

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''I have the honour to state that I am willing to subscribe to 70 copies of this edition.

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''I am to add that I fully appreciate the value of the work otherwise I should not be subscribing to the 2nd as well as to the 1st edition.''

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*Luzac's Oriental List says ;—*

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Babu Dines Chunder Sen's ''Banga Bhasa and Sahitya'' or ''Language and Literature of Bengal,'' divides, as its title indicates, into two parts. The first is a courageous and learned attempt to shew that, as under Buddhistic influence, Sanskrit degenerated into loose Prakrit dialects, so with the revival of Hinduism, the modern Languages of India recovered much of the dignity and classical correctness of Sanskrit. In this part of his work, the writer makes copious use of the researches of European scholars, and especially of Dr. Hœrnle and Dr. Grierson, which do in fact shew that the Bengali and its cognate dialects are the survivals through Prakrit of the speech of the first Aryan invaders of India. The writer, however, in his patriotic zeal, goes further than this, and practically denies the existence of any indigenous influence at all. He traces all Bengali inflections, all Bengali metres to Sanskrit origins, and though he admits the existence of a few words which cannot be traced to Sanskrit originals, he regards these simply as unwelcome intrusions into a literature from verbal expressions. In short, his history is one of literary Bengali which is even more highly sanskritized now than English was latinized in the 18th century. Even if we do not accept all the writer's conclusions, we cannot help seeing how natural it is that so enthusiastic a scholar should recognise the importance of upholding the dignity and value of a literature which has been too little studied even by Bengalis. No student of the modern languages of India can read this part of Babu Dines Chander Sen's work without profit and enjoyment, so obvious is the scholarly zeal with which it is written. The second part of the book is entirely original, and is a record of the author's search for manuscripts of works written before the British occupation of India. We have here a description not only of the standard works which every student of Bengali reads, but of works of about a hundred authors hitherto forgotten. To the European reader, it is interesting to note that all this is Hindu literature. It was a literature of revolt against Muslim tendencies and has no trace of Mahomedan influence. Some day, Babu Dines Chunder Sen may write, we hope, of Bengali literature under British rule; a literature broadened and enriched by European culture. In this literature, Babu Dines Chander Sen's History will itself occupy a high place as an outcome of European methods of scholarship applied to Eastern learning.

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Extract from the Calcutta Gazette of March 24, 1897.

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"Vangabhasa O Sahitya" is perhaps the most noteworthy book of the year. It is the outcome, as the author says, of six years' patient labour and research. In it the history of the Bengali language and literature has been traced from the earliest times down to 1838 A. D. The writer has, for the first time, brought to light a number of minor Bengali poems, the discovery whereof will greatly help the cause of linguistic research in Bengal. He has remarkably succeeded in utilising the materials at his command. The book is perhaps the first systematic and accurate treatise on the subject, showing a great improvement in this respect over its predecessor, the late Pandit Ramgati Nayaratna's book. The chapters of the book on case-suffixes and verbal inflexions in Bengali may be regarded as perhaps the first systematic and the most successful attempt at the solution of a very knotty problem."

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The Englishman devotes two leaders of its two successive issues of the 24th and 25th December, 1897, to the review of the book from which the following short extract is taken:—

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"The work which under the above title (Bangabhasha O Sahitya) has been recently published by Babu Dinesh Chandra Sen, Head Master of the Victoria School at Tipperah, is one of the most valuable contributions to the history and growth of the language and literature of Bengal that have yet appeared, and will have the result of modifying several previously accepted conclusions on the subject. It is based chiefly on researches made throughout Eastern Bengal, with the object of discovering the numerous ancient manuscripts which have

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long lain hid in the houses of cultivators throughout the rural villages of Eastern Bengal, and whose existence was previously not suspected.

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As the book is written in Bengali and its contents will be available to comparatively few European readers, a review of its contents and of the conclusions that it leads to may be found to be of interest. It was in 1892, when engaged in writing a treatise on the origin and growth of the Bengali language, that Babu D. C. Sen happened by chance to come across an ancient manuscript of the poem Mrigalabdha by Rati Deb and on further enquiries he ascertained from reliable sources that there were many such ancient books existing in the villages of Tippera and Chittagong. He thereupon set to work to find out and procure such as could be got, and visited many rural villages for the purpose. He succeeded in obtaining a certain number and in ascertaining the existence of others, but they were frequently worm-eaten and otherwise ill-preserved and it was sufficiently clear that unless their contents could be preserved by means of printing them, the bulk of this valuable material must be ultimately lost. Mr. Sen consequently wrote for advice to Professor Hœrnle, from whom he received valuable assistance, and also from Pundit Hara Prashad Shastri under whose advice Pundit Benode Behari Kabyatirtha of the Asiatic Society went to Comilla to assist him in his search and continued to do so from time to time for short periods.

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Together, they discovered several further manuscripts, and in the intervals, the author continued his search by himself throughout the villages of Tippera, Noakhali, Sylhet, Dacca and Eastern Bengal generally. He thus collected numerous ancient manuscripts. The task, however, was one of difficulty, as the peasants in whose houses they were to be found, were unwilling to part with them or even to show them fearing that the enquiry was being made with the object of imposing a tax on the owners of books. Others were unwilling to part with manuscripts that had been in their families for several generations. Babu D. C. Sen, however, persevered in his enquiries in spite of all obstacles and the results of his six years' labours are now incorporated in his History now published. The cost of publishing the work which would have been beyond the author's means has been borne by the Maharaja of Tippera who deserves the thanks of all students of the Bengali language. * * * The thanks of all students of Bengali literature are due to Babu Dinesh Chandra Sen for the labours he has patiently carried on for six years, in the face of many difficulties."

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*Extract from a lengthy review by Mahamahopadhyaya Pundit Hara Prasad Sastri M.A., Principal, Sanskrit College, Calcutta, in the Calcutta University Magazine, May 1897.*

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"The graduates of the Calcutta University are often reproached with renouncing the study of literature as soon as they enter into the world. In many instances the reproach is well deserved. It is, therefore, with the greatest pleasure that we introduce Babu Dinesh Chandra Sen, B. A., to the notice of our educated countrymen as a gentleman who has done a good deal of original research in the field of Bengali literature. The result of his researches and labours has been embodied in a handy volume entitled 'Bangabhasa O Sahitya' in which he gives a history of Bengali literature which has cast into the shade all previous works on the subject. Indeed, this is the first work on the history of Bengali literature which deserves the name. Many hundreds of volumes of manuscripts, hitherto unknown to the educated public, have not only been brought to light, but classified, arranged and criticised. Different schools of poetry taking their rise at different periods of national existence, have been traced to their natural historical causes, and the lives of nearly a hundred authors have been saved from oblivion. The literature of Eastern Bengal was absolutely unknown. Nobody even thought that there were Bengali poets in Dacca, Tipperah and Chittagong who translated the whole of the Ramayan, the Mahabharat and the large number of other works bearing on Hindu religion and traditions, into Bengali. The credit of bringing this vast body of literature to public notice is entirely due to Babu Dinesh Chandra Sen and to him alone.”

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*Extract from an article by Mahamahopadhya Hara Prasada Shastri, M. A., in the Calcutta Review, dated October 1897, (the article covers 14 pages of the Journal.)*

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‘Bangabhasa O Shahitya’ is the title of a Bengali work by Babu Dinesh Chandra Sen, B. A., Head Master of the Victoria School, Comilla, on the history of Bengali language and literature. It is a neat, handy volume running through 403 octavo pages, replete with information of the highest value to students who take any interest in the past of Bengali races or in their literature. * * * An active search for Bengali manuscripts began in various quarters, led by that admirably useful body of learned men, the Asiatic Society of Bengal. Many private individuals also devoted themselves to the work. The Bangiya Sahitya Parishad or Bengal Academy of Literature was started with this as one of its special objects. But by tacit consent it was agreed that one scholar should be entrusted with the work of compiling and digesting the information already collected, and Babu Dinesh Chandra, whose enthusiasm and earnestness in the matter was an object of admiration to all concerned, took it up. Every one helped him with the result of his researches. For the first time in the history of Bengali literature, all jealousy, obstructionism and petty feelings were set aside to enable him to produce a great work. Whoever reads Dinesh Babu’s preface with care will be struck with the modest, yet straightforward, dignified, yet grateful, acknowledgment of the services he has received from his collaborators. * * * He had to collect MSS. either himself or through friends, to read them, to classify them, and to digest them. The remoteness of his residence, in an out-of-the-way corner of Bengal, was a great drawback to him. It entailed a great deal of correspondence on him, and the progress of his work was often hindered by the dilatoriness of correspondents. But he has surmounted all those and other difficulties, and his work is now before the public. The public, in its turn, has received him kindly and his work is appreciated. * * * In the matter of Eastern poets, Babu Dinesh Chandra deserves the credit of a discoverer. He has laid bare one stratum of thought, and one phase of authorship, the value of which cannot be over-rated. His services in respect of Vaishnava literature, too, are very great."

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*Mr. A. C. Sen, M. A., C. S., late District and Sessions Judge, Rangpur, wrote referring to the illness of the author caused by his labours in compiling the work—*

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"It is no exaggeration to say that the great work is both his monument and epitaph."

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*Mr. B. C. Mitra, M. A. C. S., District and Sessions Judge, Cuttack, writes—*

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"I can say with the utmost confidence that it is a work which will ensure the permanence of your name and loving labour in the annals of Bengali literature. I am thinking, as soon as I am permitted time, of writing a review of it. For the present, I will content myself with saying that it is a book of the merits and usefulness of which I entertain the very highest opinion. In wealth of details, it rivals Morley's First Sketch; in power of graphic language, it rivals Taine; in subtlety of critical analysis, it rivals Dowden. Your close study of the earliest classics in Bengali has been helpful in investing your language with a delicacy, a refinement, a directness which relieves and vivifies the minutiae of details that your industrious research has brought to light, I think, for the first time. I anxiously await the publication of your second volume, and earnestly wish that you will soon recover health and spirit for that undertaking.

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*Mr. K. C. De, B. A. C. S., Magistrate and Collector of Faridpur, writes*—

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“I have made time to read through almost the whole of your book with great interest and not inconsiderable profit to myself.”

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*Raja Benoy Krishna Bahadur of Sobhabazar, Calcutta, writes*—

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“You have dealt with the subject in a manner which has extorted admiration and appreciation from every quarter. Babu Hirendra Nath Dutt, M. A., B. L., Rai Jotindra Nath Choudhury, M. A., B. L., Babu Mano Mohan Bosu and several others who have had opportunities of reading your book, speak very favourably of your efforts. Indeed every one speaks in high terms of your very creditable performance. Although one or two gentlemen differ with you on certain points, but none the less they appreciate your work and your precious labour. The language of the book is all that can be desired. It now remains for me to congratulate you most sincerely on the celebrated work you have published in Bengali language. Every Bengali gentleman is grateful to you for this rich and splendid production from your pen.”

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*Extract from the half-yearly report of the Peace Association, Calcutta, for 1897.*

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Babu Dinesh Chandra Sen has published his book ‘বঙ্গভাষা ও সাহিত্য’ and a copy of it has been presented to the Association. Babu Dinesh Chandra was the first Vidyasagar medalist of the Association and he says in the preface to his book that the Vidyasagar medal gave him the incentive for its composition. ‘বঙ্গভাষা ও সাহিত্য’ has been enthusiastically received by the public and has been declared to be an epoch-making book in Bengali literature. The members congratulate themselves on having a hand in the production of the work. Concerned as they are to learn that the pressure of work entailed by the composition of the book has shattered the author's health, they pray to God that he may soon be restored to health.”

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*Extract from a circular from the late Babu Dinanath Sen, Inspector of Schools, Eastern Circle, to the Head Masters of High English Schools under him, dated Dacca, the 8th March, 1897.*

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“A very important book on the History of the Bengali language and literature has been published by Babu Dinesh Chandra Sen, Head Master of the Victoria School at Comilla. It is desirable that a copy of the book should be kept in the library of each school in which Bengali is taught and which may have funds to buy it * * *”

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*The late Hon'ble Babu Guru Prasad Sen, pleader of Bankipur, wrote—*

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“Now permit me to say that yours was the best book I read for many a year in Bengali and I at once came to be an admirer of the author and since then knowing that you are a Vaidya and of the same section to which I have the honour to belong and you belong to East Bengal, there has grown in me a sort of, I hope, permissible pride in your work.”

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*Rai Sarat Chandra Das Bahadur, C.I.E., writes—*

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“I have read your excellent work with keen interest. I should like to buy a copy of it. From the contents of the first volume one can draw a good deal of information for the interest of European scholars,

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RĀMĀYAṆI KATHĀ—(Sketches from the Rāmāyaṇa.)

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*Sister Nivedita (Miss Noble) says :—*

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“Your Rāmāyaṇi Kathā has been most helpful and inspiring to all of us who heard them read together sometime ago. We liked them very much indeed. I have a very special appreciation of your literary enthusiasm for the Bengali Language used for the Indian classics. You are doing a much greater and more enduring work than you now realise.”

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*Kumar Sarat Kumar Roy M.A. of Dighapatia says :—*

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“Your Rāmāyaṇi Kathā is another monumental work which will raise you high in the estimation of the public—at the same time benefiting the domestic life of Bengal to an appreciable degree.”

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*Mr. Krishna Kantha Malaviya of Allahabad who is translating the book in Hindi says :—*

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“To me the Rāmāyaṇi Kathā possesses the world’s literature in itself. I have requested many friends of mine to acquire Bengali only for the sake of reading the Rāmāyaṇi Kathā.”

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RĀYAVĀṄKATHA—(continued from p. 33)

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"Your Rāya-vāṅ-katha has been most helpful to me, to all of us who read it, and I am sure to many others. We liked it very much. I am writing to express my appreciation of your literary work. You have done much good, and I am sure you will do more."

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Kumar S.

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"Of your Rāya-vāṅ-katha, I have read a good deal, which I have found very interesting. I do not know if I am competent to judge, but I have found it very instructive. I am sure that the readers of the Rāyavāṅ-katha will find it a pleasure to read it."

Linked texts (2)

Mahābhārata — Vyāsa, Sanskrit
Vālmīkirāmāyaṇa — Vālmīki, Sanskrit