The Bengal Renaissance - pg. 95

Prasanna Coomar Tagore wrote, "Superstition, which was
the prolific source of despotism and the stronghold of priestcraft,
contributed not a little to deprive the people of their just rights,
by adding undue authority to the privileges of the Crown. The
ministers of religion who were also the legislators, easily discovered
the weakness of a people, who, from ignorance, were credulous of
the most absurd doctrines, which were offered for their belief, and
to place their power on a firm basis, they connived with the rulers
of the l and to increase their powers by sacrificing the rights of the
people, which were in a matter entrusted too their charge, by the
credulous mob.