Maharajah's College, or M. R. College, (Telugu: మహారాజా కళాశాల) is one of the oldest Colleges in India. It was established in 1879 by Sri Poosapati Vijayarama Gajapathi, Maharajah of Vizianagram. National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC) assessed and accredited the institution with "B" grade.
There are 21 departments offering 19 undergraduate and postgraduate courses. There are about 150 permanent and temporary academic and support staff members with an annual intake of about 2,192 students in 2009.
The institution was founded by Sri Poosapati Vijayarama Gajapathi Raju, the Maharajah of Vizianagram. It was started as a middle school in 1857 and upgraded to a high school in 1868. It was upgraded to a college in 1879. Graduation classes were started in 1881 under the patronage of Sri Pusapati Ananda Gajapati Raju. The Rajah Saheb P. V. G. Raju gifted the Royal Palace to the college in 1948. The MANSAS (Maharajah Alak Narayan Society of Arts and Sciences) came into existence in 1958. Dr. P. V. G. Raju died on 13 November 1995. His son Dr. Poosapati Ananda Gajapathi Raju has taken charge as Chairman and Poosapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju is the Vice-Chairman. Autonomous status was conferred on the college in 1987.
For a list of Principals, see the end of this article.
The Maharajah's College is spread over 18 acres, hosting six buildings with a construction area of 115,307 sq ft (10,712.4 m2). There are 51 class rooms, 21 laboratories and 10 staff rooms. There is a central library and 14 other departmental libraries. The central library hasn 50,00 books, and 20 computers connected to the Internet. There are two seminar halls and a Health centre. There is a boys hostel in the campus. There is a playground with facilities for volleyball, basketball, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, ball badminton, tennis, cricket, football and hockey. There are facilities for indoor games and a gymnasium. There is Andhra Bank branch in campus serving the needs of the staff and students.
Department of AgricultureDepartment of BotanyDepartment of ChemistryDepartment of CommerceDepartment of EconomicsDepartment of EnglishDepartment of GeographyDepartment of GeologyDepartment of HindiDepartment of HistoryDepartment of Industrial RelationsDepartment of MathematicsDepartment of PhilosophyDepartment of PhysicsDepartment of PoliticsDepartment of SanskritDepartment of Social WorkDepartment of TeluguDepartment of ZoologyDepartment of Library and Information ScienceDepartment of Physical EducationIntermediate CourseBiology, Physics and ChemistryCommerce, Economics and CivicsGeography, Economics and CommerceGeology, Physics and ChemistryHistory, Civics and Special TeluguHistory, Economics and CivicsLogic, Economics and CommerceMathematics, Physics and ChemistryDiploma in Computer SkillsDiploma in Tally Accounting Executive CourseBachelor of ArtsEconomics, Politics and PhilosophyHistory, Economics and PoliticsIndustrial Relations, Economics and PoliticsSocial Work, Economics and PoliticsTelugu, History and PoliticsBachelor of Business ManagementBachelor of CommerceBachelor of ScienceBotany, Agriculture and ChemistryBotany, Zoology and ChemistryGeology, Physics and ChemistryMathematics, Physics and ChemistryMathematics, Physics and GeologyMathematics, Physics and StatisticsZoology, Agriculture and ChemistryMaster of Science in Analytical Chemistry, Electronics, Organic Chemistry, PhysicsMaharajah's College Old Students's Association (MRCOSA) has been functioning since the inception of college. Its organized the Maharajah Ananda Gajapati Sapada Sata Jayanti, the 125th Anniversary of Maharajah Ananda Gajapati Raju in 1976. It was revived when the college became Autonomous in 1987. It was made an integral part of the College in 1993.
Alumni of the institution are listed alphabetically:
Prof. Allam Appa Rao, Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada.Dr. A. L. Rao, Chief Operating Officer, WiproProf. Beela Satyanarayana, Vice Chancellor of Andhra University.Botsa Satyanarayana, Indian Parliamentarian.Bulusu Sambamurti, was an Indian lawyer, politician and freedom-fighterChaganti Somayajulu, Telugu writers.Dwaram Bhavanarayana Rao, musicologist and Principal of Maharajah's Government College of Music and Dance.Dr. D. N. RaoJustice E. Venkatesam, former Judge of Andhra Pradesh High CourtJustice G. Ramanujulu Naidu, former Judge of Andhra Pradesh High Court.Ganti Jogi Somayaji, Telugu scholar and faculty in Andhra University.Ganti Prasada Rao, electrical engineering and systems science scholar, researcher and academician.Gidugu Venkata Ramamoorty, the father of Colloquial Telugu language movement.Gurazada Apparao, poet.Indukuri Ramakrishnam Raju, better known as Rajashri, dialogue and lyrics writer in Telugu cinema.J. V. Somayajulu, theater and film actor.Justice K. Punnayya, former Judge of Andhra Pradesh High Court and Member of Legislative Assembly.Dr. K. S. R. Krishna RaoMajor General K. V. Krishna Rao, Chief of Indian Army.Kala Venkata Rao, freedom fighter and politician.Kandala Subrahmanyam, lawyer and Member of Parliament from Vizianagaram constituency.Kotcherlakota Rangadhama Rao, Indian Physicist.M. V. Narayana Rao, Chief of Crime Investigation Department.N. Dilip Kumar, Chief of Anti-Corruption Branch.Nyapathi Kameswari better known as Radio Akkayya.P. L. N. RajuP. V. Ramanaiah Raja, founder of Sri Raja-Lakshmi Foundation.Major General P. V. RamanaiahPappu Venugopala Rao, musicologist.Justice Penmetsa Satyanarayana Raju former Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court.Pulapaka Seethapathi Rao, CEO of State Bank of Hyderabad during 1965-70Prof. (Dr.) Pyla Narayana Rao, Faculty at School of Corporate Law, Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), New Delhi.Justice T. V. R. Tatachari, Chief Justice of Delhi High Court.V. R. PanthuluVasantha Rao Venkata Rao, Physics teacher