History of Bengali Language and Literature c8.49

c8.49

The works mentioned in this chapter represent only a small portion of the literature actually written in Bengal between the 13th and the 18th centuries.* As most of these are in the form of old manuscripts and as search for them has been commenced only lately, and that in a half-hearted way, by scholars who have no funds to conduct the work vigorously, by far the greater portion of this literature was lost before any attempt was made to preserve it and of existing manuscripts not a tithe could be recovered for want of funds. The enlightened section of our community who are fond of displaying their erudition in English literature, who are never weary of admiring a Cordelia, a Haidee or even a Donna Julia and who quote from the English translation of Virgil to shew their appreciation of Dido's love, would not care to read the story of Behulā—the bride of Lakṣmīndra, whose unflinching resolution and sufferings for love rise higher than many a martyrdom; or of Khullanā, the loving damsel of Ujāni, whose beauty, tender age, sufferings and fidelity all combine to make her one of the finest creations of poetic fancy; or of Rañjāvati—the wife of King