Elphinstone College

History

By the 19th century Bombay was a prosperous centre for maritime trade and commerce. In 1824 an English school was set up by the Bombay Native Education Society for Indian students (while the opinion in Britain was against educating the 'natives').

In 1827 a resolution was passed that an institution for promotion of education should be established under Bombay Native Education Society and be designated as "Elphinstone College" (distinct from High School). This is after Hon. Mountstuart Elphinstone, the departing governor of Bombay who was responsible for beginning higher education in the city. Rs.2,29,636.00 was collected by public subscription to fund teaching professorships in the English language and the Arts, Science and Literature of Europe. The professorships were in honour of Mountstaurt Elphinstone. The college was formally constituted in 1835. The classes commenced in 1836, at Town Hall, with the first two professors: Arthur Bedford Orlebar (Natural Philosophy) and John Harkness (General Literature).

In 1840, the professors' classes were amalgamated with the Society's High School to form the Elphinstone Native Education Institution. In 1845, the name was shortened to Elphinstone Institution.

Elphinstone College became a distinct institution, separated from the high school, on 1 April 1856. This year is officially considered to be the year of the establishment of Elphinstone College.

The college was affiliated to University of Bombay in 1860.

Role in inception of Bombay University and other colleges

The University of Bombay was established in 1857. Inception classes were held at Elphinstone college and was subsequently moved to the present Fort campus.

To formalize legal education, a chair of Jurisprudence was set up, called Perry Professorship at Elphinstone Institution in 1855. The same year, R. T. Reid (LL. B. Bar-at-Law) was appointed the first Perry professor of Jurisprudence and the Government Law School as it was then called. This is taken as the inception of the Government Law College Mumbai.

It was suggested that Elphinstone College premises be used (during Morning Hours) for initial classes of Jaihind College. The proposal was accepted and admission started for the Arts faculty in June 1948, with a formal inauguration in September 1948 at the Elphinstone College Library Hall.

Sir J J School of Arts was founded in 1857 and was instituted to take up drawing classes. Initial classes were held at Elphinstone Institution.

Academics

Elphinstone College, like many other colleges of Mumbai, constitutes two academic entities: Senior and Junior colleges.

Senior college is affiliated to University of Mumbai and imparts education leading to bachelor's degrees while Junior college is monitored by HSC Board and provides higher secondary education.

Senior college

Junior college

Facilities

Legacy

The legacy of the college as a center of excellence was unparalleled in western India. During British rule, it was most coveted among colleges, standing alongside Presidency Colleges of Calcutta and Madras. However, post independence its standards declined and more so in the recent times. This is generally attributed to government negligence and red tapism. The college was an important center of radical left sympathies during the 1970s decade: and produced leaders for this movement.

Heritage College building

The college building, with its Gothic architecture, has been classified as a grade 1 heritage structure. It is one of the most identified buildings of South Mumbai as a symbol British Raj heritage.

Locally, the college is famous for its Romanesque Transitional style building that has been categorized as Grade I Heritage structure. The building was designed by Trubshaw, supervised by Khan Bahadur Muncherjee Murzban, and completed in 1888.

Maharashtrotsav

Maharashtrotsav is a National Level Inter College Cultural Festival organized by all the students and faculties of Elphinstone College.

Maharashtrotsav 2011-12 gathered a crowd of more than 75 colleges with nearly 2500 students which was the then a State Level Event. 2012-13 marked a huge progess in its type making it National Level Festival with nearly 5000 students from more than 130 colleges across India.

Maharashtrotsav promises to be a launch pad for new talents who are lost in the shadow of big names. This event shall bring them into the limelight and be a milestone in their path of glamour world. Maharashtrotsav is a budding event planned to cater to all those who intend to prove their talent through their extraordinary skills. It is a phenomenon which brings together untapped talents on one platform with the basic aim and spirit to promote Culture, Harmony and Talent.

TechTsar

TechTsar started back in 2009, with a budget of INR 75,000, which was contributed by advertisements in the Techtsar brochure and banners. Amongst the notable past sponsors are Bank of Maharashtra, Dena Bank, Airtel, etc.

The name of the festival was inspired by two words: technology [tech] and king [tsar] and was proposed by Elphinstone College alumni Rohan Bhambhani. The motto is "Merging Talent with Technology." The festival consists of many events such C and Java debugging, LAN gaming, quiz, debate, photography, logo designing, grand prix, treasure hunt etc. Students from many colleges across Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai participate. The festival takes place in the final week of November. Currently in its second yearTemplate:2016?? it was even more successful than the previous year with a huge rise in participants.

Primers

The Biotechnology Department organizes the festival known as Primers. It started in 2009. The festival consists of seminars by well-known speakers and continued by events in which the students of colleges of Mumbai and Thane participate.

In 2010 the students had organized a job fair for all the college students with free entry and are concluding the event with a fashion show.

The students of F.Y., S.Y., and T.Y. Biotechnology together work very hard for the success of this event.

Location

The college has an enviable location, in Kala Ghoda area of South Mumbai. Several landmarks, business districts and waters of Arabian Sea are at close by.

The college is easily accessible by train (from Churchgate and CST) and bus.

The well-known Jehangir Art Gallery is across the street as entrance to the Museum.

Notable alumni