Lucknow has been a seat of education since the British times and has since carried on its affinity to education till date. La Martiniere College, St Francis College, Loreto Convent, Isabella Thoburn College, Emma Thompson, St Agnes, etc are just a few examples of some great institutions. In terms of higher education, specialized education and research institutions to Lucknow has excelled by all means. Today Lucknow boasts of Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, eight universities, National Botanical Research Institute, Drug Research Institute, Aromatic Plant Research Institute, Sugarcane Research Institute, Pulses Research Institute and of course innumerable medical, engineering and management colleges that add many gems to Lucknow’s crown.
This issue we take up a landmark educational institute that was long associated with the royalty (Taluqdars: a term used for Indian land holders in Mughal and British times, at times wealthy landlords, responsible for collecting taxes from a district.) and style that Awadh once was. British in India did pay a lot of attention towards education and the institutions were developed to cater a particular class that later after independence were thrown open to masses.
Sir Auckland Colvin KCSI KCMG CIE , Chief Commissioner of Oudh (1887-92)
Sir Auckland Colvin, K.C.M.G., C.I.E. (Lieutenant Governor of the N. W. Provinces) while functioning as Lieutenant Governor of Avadh and Agra during the year 1889, conceived the idea of a school with the object of imparting education to the wards of the court and sons of the Taluqdars’ of Avadh. The ‘wards’ class, founded in 1884, formed the nucleus for the establishment of the Taluqdars’ College.
The foundation of the College building, at its present site, was laid on 11th March, 1889 and the school became functional, after the Opening Ceremony in March 1892. The first Academic Session started on 12 May, 1892 with 16 students out of which 13 were Resident Scholars. Junior and Senior Cambridge classes began on 24 April, 1933.
Till 1933, the School was conducted exclusively for, and on behalf of, the Taluqdars’ community, but, when it was recognized as an Intermediate (Arts) College, admissions were thrown open to all. In 1945 the college started classes in Intermediate Science with help of its Parent Body, the British Indian Association.
Only when the British left India in 1947 did it open its doors to the general public. By that time, it had along with Aitchison College in Lahore and Mayo College in Ajmer and La Martiniere in Lucknow acquired a reputation as the top school in the Indian plains. Later on, under the stewardship of two innovative principals, H. N. Kashyap and H. L. Dutt, it produced academic results that are unparalleled in the history of secondary education in India. In 1982, the College got itself affiliated to the Council for Indian School Certificate Examination, and to date holds a great position in boys education in India.
The College Song
To Colvin College, a noble toast we raise
With deepest gratitude and accolades of praise
Our rooms, grounds, galleries resound (fore’er) with fame
May honour surround our Alma Mater’s name.
To Colvin College, a noble toast we raise
With deepest gratitude and accolades of praise.
Noblesse Oblige is stamped upon our minds
For (the) rich and poor, it’s the tie that binds.
With dignity and grace, our homage now we pay
For youthful memories can never fade away.
Burden
Our blue and navy banners may always flutter high
Pointing to the success which reaches the sky.
On our play fields every victory we win (won?)
We should ever strive until our cause is won.
Burden
Forgetting not our motto to perform noble deed(s)
Of pursuing our aim and serve our action need (nation’s needs?)
Colvinians do your duty, be loyal, just and true
Our College and our country expect this of you.
Burden
