and, altogether, his sermons and lectures are very similar to the teachings of the Unitarians in the United States.  He was called the Theodore Parker of India, and attracted many followers.  But before he had accomplished much he died, and his mantle fell upon Keshab Chunder Sen, a man of great learning, talent and worth, the son of one of the most conservative families of the Brahmin caste, born and brought up in a fetid atmosphere of superstition and idolatry.  While attending school at Calcutta he was thrown in with European teachers and associates and, being of an inquisitive mind, undertook the study of religions other than his own.  It naturally came about that he heard of the “Truth Seeking Society” and ultimately joined it, and by his force of character and ability became one of its leaders.  Early in his career he concluded that the greatest weakness among the people of India is their treatment of their women, and he organized what was known as “The Indian Reform Association” for the purpose of promoting the education of women, preventing child marriage, relieving widows from their forlorn ostracism and securing for the daughters of Indian families the same legal and property rights that are enjoyed by the sons.  The movement became quite popular and he gained considerable reputation.  He went to England and Germany and delivered lectures and published several books.  His agitation accomplished some practical results, and he secured the passage of several laws of importance establishing the civil rights of wives, widows and daughters.

In 1884 his daughter, a very brilliant and beautiful woman, married the Maharaja of Cutch-Behar, who was converted, joined the movement and became an active member of the society.  Like many others of the princely families of India, he lays claim to divine origin, the founder of his dynasty having been a god.  In 1772, the ruling rajah, having been attacked by more powerful neighbors, applied for protection to Warren Hastings, then governor of Bengal, and acknowledged subjection to the East Indian Company.  The province of Cutch-Behar was thus one of the first to be absorbed by the British Empire, but it has ever since been governed by the native prince, who nominally owns all of the land in his territory and receives taxes in lieu of rent from his tenants, who are his subjects.  His territory has a population of 650,000, of whom 427,000 are Hindus and 174,539 are Mohammedans.  He is assisted in his government by a resident English adviser, appointed by the viceroy, and really has very little to do.  He has a personal allowance of $150,000 for the support of himself and family, and inherited from his ancestors one of the most rare and valuable collections of jewels in India.

The present maharaja was born in 1863, educated in England, attained his majority in 1883, and has two sons, one of whom is a member of the Viceroy’s Corps of Imperial Cadets, and the other acts as his father’s secretary.  The maharaja is considered one of the handsomest men in India, as he is one of the most accomplished and progressive, and his wife is as famous for her intellectual as for her physical attractions.