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| Motto | Let there be light |
|---|---|
| Type | Private |
| Established | 1875 |
| Principal | Mr. Pramod Sharma |
| Students | 800 |
| Location | Ajmer,  India |
| Website | www.mayocollege.com |
Mayo College is a prestigious public school / boarding school located in Ajmer, Rajasthan (a state in India) and is not to be confused with the world famous Mayo Clinic in the United States of America. Mayo College was founded by Richard Southwell Bourke, the Earl of Mayo, who was Viceroy of India from 1869 to 1872 and was popularly known as Lord Mayo in India.
With a view to providing the leaders of the princely states with an educational infrastructure on a par with British standards the British Raj proceeded to construct a school, house students and impart education to the Indian elite, particularly the princes and nobles of Rajputana. The idea for the college was first proposed on May 28, 1869 by Colonel Walter. The school was founded in 1870 and Col. Sir Oliver St. John became its first principal in 1875. The founder's intention was to create an Eton of India. Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton, Viceroy of India said in a speech on campus in 1879:
- "In that very sensible report Colonel Walter pointed out that what was then most needed for the education of India's young rulers and nobles was an Indian School where British values could be taught."
Mayo College is amongst the top boarding schools in the world , and is in the same league as other prestigious Indian boarding schools such as the Lawrence School, Lovedale, the Lawrence School, Sanawar, the Doon School, the Bishop Cotton School in Simla, Scindia School, the Modern School in New Delhi and La Martiniere Lucknow .
The school has classes for grades 7-12 while the junior school has classes for grades 4-6. Subjects in the normal curriculum are: Hindi, Sanskrit, Punjabi, Gujarati, English, French, Geography, History, Civics, Economics, Commerce, Math, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Career Counselling, Music, Automobile Engineering, Woodwork, Metalwork, Book craft, Computer studies and fine arts. The language of instruction is English.
Students from the school refer to themselves as Mayoites.
Mayo College has a well established exchange programme for students to travel overseas to enrich their studies.
History
The school was founded by Richard Southwell Bourke, Earl of Mayo, and Viceroy of India from 1869 to 1872 known popularly in India as Lord Mayo. Bourke was born on February 21st, 1822 and died on February 8th 1872.
The architecture of the school buildings evoke the grandeur of Rajasthan. Several designs for the Main Building were submitted by different engineers in Grecian, Indo-Saracenic and Kolhapur styles. The viceroy finally adopted Major Mant's Indo-Saracenic design in June 1875. The construction began in 1877 and was completed in 1885 at a cost of RS. 3.28 lakhs. Major Mant's design became a classic symbol of Indo-Saracenic architecture and apart from being quoted in architectural courses even today, the design now lies in the archives of the British Museum in London.
Mangal Singh from Alwar was the first student to be admitted to the institution in October 1875. The second student was Mahatab Singh of Nindar.
A number of illustrious Principals have guided the schools since its founding, but the most noteworthy is J. T. M. (Jack) Gibson, Principal from 1954-1969, who gave Mayo College its current post-independence identity by hiring young faculty, upgrading the curriculum, and persuading families other than the nobility of Rajasthan to send their sons to the school.
Coat of Arms
School stamp
On April 12th, 1986, the post and telegraph department of the government of India released a special stamp of Mayo College with the magnificent Main School building on its face in recognition of its pre-eminent role in the field of education.
Mayo College Trivia
 | This article contains a list of miscellaneous information. Please relocate any relevant information into other sections or articles. (August 2007) |
- Mayo's first student, H.H. Maharaja Mangal Singh of Alwar, arrived at the school gates in October 1875 on the back of an elephant accompanied by 300 retainers and a menagerie of tigers, camels and horses!
- One of the school's long standing traditions is meeting for tea in the lawns known as Mughal Gardens immediately after the Annual Prizegiving Ceremony; it is believed that Mr. MN Kapur (who subsequently went on to become one of Modern School New Delhi's most respected & beloved principals) did away with the act of using a rope to divide English guests and Indian guests at this ceremony.
- The Annual Prizegiving, one of the oldest ceremonies at Mayo, has seen many a respected and well known individual presiding as Chief Guest including Lord Irwin, Viceroy of India, Lord Chelmford, Governor General of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Ex President of India, HH Maharaja Sawai Man Singh of Jaipur, HH Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur, Mrs Vijayalakshmi Pandit, Dr Zakir Husain, Ex President of India, Dr Karan Singh, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, Ex Prime Minister of India, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, H.H. Sayyid Faher Bin Taimur of Oman, HM Birendra Shah, King of Nepal, Sardar Khushwant Singh, HH Madhavrao Scindia, Sir Peter Ustinov, Mr Jasant Singh, etc.
- Other traditions at Mayo include an Annual Horseback Parade by the students and a number of Sporting fixtures between Old Boys and Current Students (including a Polo Match)
- Mayo College has Sports Facilities of the highest standard for students and staff consisting of many playing fields for Football, Hockey and even a picturesque Cricket Ground with a view of the Aravali Hills and a beautiful old Red Sandstone Pavillion. The Squash Players may choose between the Modern Glass Backed courts or the Historic Fanshawe Courts, open to sky!Currently, a Golf Course is being constructed on campus.
- Visitors to Mayo College may stay in style in the heart of the sprawling campus in the comfortable Oman Guest House.
Notable Alumni
Main Article: List of Old-Mayoites
Alumni of Mayo College are known as Old-Mayoites.
See also
References
- M.N. Kapur Biography
- Opportunities: "The Mayo College, Ajmer" from The Hindu, National Newspaper dated Jun 09, 2004
External links
- Official website of: "Mayo College", Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
- Mayo College Old Boys / Alumni Associations
- IPSC school profile