Rajkumar College, Rajkot

History

The foundation stone of Rajkumar College was laid in 1868. The institution was designed by Colonel Keatinge and was formally opened by the Governor of Bombay, H. B. Sir Seymour Fitzgerald, in 1870. The college was founded for the education of the princely order by the princes and chiefs of Kathiawad for their sons and relations.

In 1938, on the initiative of its founding members, the college became a public school (private school in American terms). The college is a founding member of the Indian Public Schools Conference and a member of the Round Square conference of schools, a worldwide association of more than 60 schools that allows students to travel between schools and tour the country or do community service.

In 2001 the college opened its doors to girls, in what has been a boys' bastion for over a century. The school has around 50 girls, with boarding facilities.

Another endeavor of the Rajkumar College Administration has been Priyalok Villas, a pre-school program for the kids; originally housed in a 1909 Hyde sanatorium but now housed in a different building. Whilst having its own domain, it has access to all the facilities of the Rajkumar College.

The school is expanding. The Rajkumar College for Girls, a secondary school was inaugurated on March 24, 2011; before this, the fully functional elementary co-ed school had flourished for a decade.

Inauguration of the Rajkumar College for Girls, Rajkot

The Rajkumar College for Girls was inaugurated on March 24, 2011, by Kamla Beniwal, governor of Gujarat. The principal, Mr. Thakkar, said that it was a special day for the Rajkumar family. Almost 140 years ago on 16 December 1871

the college was inaugurated by the governor of the Bombay Presidency, Sir Seymour Fitzgerald and another venture of the same college was being inaugurated by a governor, the first lady of

Student life

Sport teams from the college travel around the country to participate in inter public school competitions and district/state/national level events.

Co-curricular activities include public speaking/recitation/debates, bio-enrichment camps, and other cultural activities.

The college motto is Yasya Bhuddhi, Balam Tasya ("Power is where there is knowledge").

Notable alumni

Lael Anson Best, graduated BS in 1975, chief of Thoracic Surgery at Rambam Medical Center, Israel

Krishna Kumarasingh Bhavasingh, Maharaja of Bhavnagar State, the first governor of Madras state

Raol Shri Dharmakumarsinhji, prince, ornithologist and environmentalist

Madansinhji - Maharaja of Cutch

Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji of Porbandar, Maharaja of Porbandar

K.S. Digvijaysinhji, Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar

Kumar Shri Duleepsinhji, cricketer

Bhagvatsingh of Gondal, Maharaja, physician and architect

Kumar Indrajitsinhji, test cricketer

Rajendrasinhji Jadeja, commander-in-chief of the Indian armed forces

Kavi Kalapi, poet

Ruswa Majhalumi, poet

Manoharsinhji Pradyumansinhji, 15th Thakore Saheb of Rajkot, cricketer and politician

Ashok Kamte, Mumbai Police, additional commissioner for the East Region, martyr of 26.11.2008 Mumbai attacks

Ranjitsinhji, test cricketer and later Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar

Takhtsinhji, Maharaja of Bhavnagar

His Excellency Sujan R. Chinoy (Indian Foreign Service), diplomat and China expert; Ambassador of India to Japan (formerly Ambassador to Mexico & High Commissioner of India to Belize)

Maharaja Bhavsinhji II of Bhavnagar State

Himmatsinhji Vijayaraji, noted ornithologist and a prince of Cutch State

Bhavsinhji Madhavsinhji, the Maharana of Porbandar.

Amarsinhji Banesinhji, the Maharana Raj Sahib of Wankaner

Thakor Saheb Chaitanyadev of Wadhwan - past President of the College Council

Meghrajji III of Dhrangadhra-Halvad - past President of the College Council

Lavkumar Khachar, ornithologist

Ramchandra Dattaray Kulkarni Vice Principal from 1940 - 1973 & 1975 to 1980

Council presidents

Darbar Saheb Shri Mahipal Vala of Jetpur

Thakor Saheb Chaitanyadev of Wadhwan - past

Meghrajji III of Dhrangadhra-Halvad - past