India in 1887 as seen by Robert Wallace / [Robert Wallace].

  • Robert Wallace
Date:
1888
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: India in 1887 as seen by Robert Wallace / [Robert Wallace]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    is possible that this system may have a great future in India. D. B. Allen did good service by organizing a well- ananged set of experiments at Dumraon, the expense of conducting them being defrayed by the Maharaja. I had the plcasuie of taking part along with Allen in the laying out of another most complete set of twenty plots for experimental work on the estate of the Raja of Naldanga.1 Ivach plot was one-sixth of an acre, or one-half a standard Bigha. An Agricultural Department would supply the technical knowledge necessary to start such stations throughout the country. Agricultural shows- of stock and produce, which un- doubtedly extend information and awaken a commendable interest in the minds of the working classes of all countries where they are held, could be organized by the Agricultural Department. It stiuck me that the more thoroughly native the management of details could be made the greater would be the resulting benefits. The department could, after stimulating and encouraging those who possess the 1 Raja Pramathabhushana Deva Raya had been educated at the Court of W aids Institution, Calcutta. I was much struck with the extraordinary amount of energy and ability this young nobleman possessed, and the never-ceasing efforts he made to improve the condition of his people. His mansion-house and all its appurtenances were designed by himself; and not only this, but even the bricks and mortar were made by his own servants, who had got their only training from him. He also taught them to shoe horses and train refractory elephants. He bred, reared, and broke his own horses, and he possessed some very fine ones. He was his own veterinary surgeon. He was a sportsman of no mean order ; and to prevent the ridiculous extortion of the Calcutta furriers for dressing the skins of his large game, he had them beautifully tanned at home. Ilis rooms were decorated with a profusion of skins of leopards and panthers. Altogether I was impressed with the fact that the young Raja, with whom I spent two days, could teach the majority of young Englishmen in his own sphere of life a wholesome lesson in originality of idea and execution of purpose. 1 he good which shows are capable of doing may be seen by referring to kickett s evidence in the Report of the Famine Commission, vol. ii., Appendix iii., page 201.
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