Elphinstone College is one of the constituent colleges of Dr. Homi Bhabha State University, a state cluster university. Established in 1823, it is one of the oldest colleges in Mumbai. It played a major role in shaping and developing the educational landscape of the city. It also played a pivotal role in the inception of the University of Mumbai.
In 2006, the college marked its sesquicentennial celebrations of inception (1856–2006). It offers undergraduate-level courses in the arts, sciences, and commerce.
By the 19th century, Mumbai was a prosperous center for maritime trade and commerce. In 1824, an English school was set up by the Bombay Native Education Society for Indian students.
In 1827, a resolution was passed that an institution for the promotion of education should be established under Bombay Native Education Society and be designated as "Elphinstone College" (distinct from High School). This was named after Mountstuart Elphinstone, the departing Governor of the Bombay Presidency, who was responsible for beginning higher education in the city. An exuberant amount of 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 college was formally constituted in 1835. The classes commenced in 1836, at Town Hall, with the first two professors: Arthur Bedford Orlebar (natural philosophy) - i.e. science) and John Harkness (general literature - i.e. classics). 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.
In 1871, Elphinstone College got its building in Byculla. James Trubshawe, an architect who flourished in the early part of the 19th century, designed the structure, which was built by the engineer, John Adams. This older Elphinstone College building stands opposite the Jijamata Udyaan in Byculla, Mumbai. It is now a hospital, and a second Elphinstone College across the Jehangir Art Gallery was built a decade later.
Role in inception of University Of Mumbai & Other colleges
The Elphinstone College played a pivotal role in the inception of The University Of Mumbai which was established in 1857, the same year as India's first revolt. The university's initial classes were held at the college's Byculla building and were subsequently moved to the present Fort campus of the same.
The college also played a major role in formalizing legal education in India. The esteemed "Perry Professorship" (A chair of Jurisprudence at the University Of Mumbai) was set up at Elphinstone in 1855. One of the best-known lawyers of the time, Barrister R. T. Reid (LL. B. Bar-at-Law) was appointed the first Perry Professor of Jurisprudence and the Government Law School was establishment. This institution later came to be known as the Government Law College, Mumbai. It is the oldest law school in Asia.
In 1948, It was suggested that Elphinstone College's premises were to be used (during morning hours) for initial classes of Jai Hind College. The proposal was accepted and admission started for the Arts Faculty in June of the same year. A formal inauguration took place in September 1948 at the Elphinstone College Library Hall.
The Sir J. J. School of Arts was founded in 1857 and was instituted to offer drawing classes. Its Initial classes were also held at Elphinstone.
Academics
Elphinstone collegeElphinstone College MumbaiElphinstone College, c. 1905
The Elphinstone College consists of two academic entities: Junior and Degree colleges.
Degree or "senior" college was affiliated to University of Mumbai till 2019. And, it was later made a constituent college of Dr. Homi Bhabha State University. This was a newly formed state owned cluster university.[1][2] It was the first of its kind. After mere months, another state cluster university was formed in Mumbai called the HSNC University, which included institutes like KC College and HR College.[3][4]
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 of heritage.
Locally, the college is famous for its Romanesque Transitional style building that has been categorised as Grade I Heritage structure. The iconic building was designed by Trubshaw. And, it was made under the supervision of Khan Bahadur Muncherjee Murzban, and completed in 1888.[5]
In 2004, The college was awarded the Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for Culture Heritage Conservation by UNESCO.[6][7]
Maharashtrotsav is a National Level Inter-College Cultural Festival organized by all the students and faculties of Elphinstone College. In 2011–2012, it gathered a crowd of more than 75 colleges with nearly 2500 students, which was then a State Level Event. In 2012–2013, marked huge progress in its type making it National Level Festival with nearly 5000 students from more than 130 colleges across India.
TechTsar Logo
TechStar
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 corporate sponsors such as Bank of Maharashtra, Dena Bank, Airtel, and many more.
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 as 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 usually takes place in the final week of November. Currently, it is known as one of the fastest-growing college festivals in Mumbai.
Primers
The Biotechnology Department of the college 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 organized a job fair for all the college students with free entry and are concluding the event with a fashion show.
Location
The college is located in the Kala Ghoda area of South Mumbai. Several landmarks, business districts and waters of Arabian Sea are close by.
The college is easily accessible by train (from Churchgate and CSMT) and bus.
Notable alumni
This article's list of alumni may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy. Please improve this article by removing names that do not have independent reliable sources showing they merit inclusion in this article AND are alumni, or by incorporating the relevant publications into the body of the article through appropriate citations. (January 2020)
^Linah Baliga (2 January 2009). "Heritage buildings to be restored to former glory". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 27 January 2017. Elphinstone College A Romanesque transition style, it was designed by Trubshaw, supervised by Khan Bahadur Muncherjee Murzban, and completed in 1888. The building is a Grade I listed structure.Established in 1824, Elphinstone is one of the oldest colleges in Bombay. Its alumni are among the greatest names of the Indian Nationalist Movement, strongly establishing the institution's contribution towards shaping the history of India. The structure will receive anti-termite treatment, new flooring, new Gothic revival details to the parapets, new paving in the courtyard and around the building, renovated toilets, re-plastering where essential and RCC repairs.Repairs to existing windows and doors, new weather sheds on the rear and in the courtyard and weld mesh shutters will also be carried out.Stone facades will be cleaned, paint scraped off from stone, wooden surfaces painted and polished. Defective pipes will also be changed.
