language first from Rao Saheb Bhogilal Pranavallabh (1818–1889), and then from Dalpatram, a Gujarati poet. He came into contact with Dalpatram through Bholanath Divetia in 1848. Dalpatram taught him Gujarati while Forbes encouraged him to write in Gujarati. They became close friends. He inspired Dalpatram to write Laxmi Natak published in 1849, the first play in Gujarati, based on Greek drama Plutus. On 26 December 1848 he started the Gujarat Vernacular Society in Ahmedabad, which contributed to a literary renaissance in Gujarati. The fund of Rs 9601 was raised from locals, Baroda State and British officers. The society started the first public library, first school for girls, first periodical, first newspaper and first literary magazine of Gujarat. He was the president of Andrews Library in Surat in 1850 and founded Gujarati Sabha in Bombay in 1865. Gujarati Sabha was later renamed Farbas Gujarati Sabha after him. He organized conclave of Gujarati poets in 1852 at Idar State. Dalpatram's Farbesvilas was an account of these conclave. Forbes also had a deep interest in archaeology, ancient monuments and manuscripts, which made him intensely interested in the old archaeological and historical remains of Gujarat. In 1856, he published Ras Mala in two volumes which documented the history and chronicles from 8th century to arrival of British and folk literature of Gujarat as well as an historical account of the place and people he came to know during his stay in Gujarat. He also translated Dalpatram's essay Bhoot Nibandh as Demonology and Popular Superstitions of Gujarat. Death Forbes died in Poona (now Pune, Maharashtra, India) on 31 August 1865 after a brief illness. Dalpatram composed Farbes viraha, a Gujarati elegy in his memory. Personal life Forbes married Margaret-Moir Forbes-Mitchell (1825-1 November 1904), daughter of Henry David Forbes-Mitchell of Bawlgownie, in Bombay on 25 March 1846. They had six children; Edward Esme Forbes (1855-1920), Emmeline Maria Elizabeth Forbes, Margaret Theodora Lawrence Forbes (d. 1939), John Fraser Forbes (1847-1887), Henry David Erskine Forbes (1849-1920), and Alexander Abernethie Forbes (b. 1851). See also Râs Mâlâ:Hindoo Annals of the Province of Goozerat, in Western India Further reading References 1821 births 1865 deaths Administrators in British India Gujarati-language writers People from Finchley