Elphinstone College

Campus Location: Mumbai

Located in Elphinstone College occupies a unique position in the annals of education in the country. It is one of the rarest institutions, born even before the University of Mumbai, to which it was later on affiliated., Recently the Elphinstone College has been accredited ‘A’ grade by NAAC (National Assessment & Accreditation Council). The report submitted by the Peer Team appreciates the efforts taken by its teachers to maintain a student friendly atmosphere & brilliant results., The institution is known for its open access to students from all strata of the society. This includes various communities, income groups and interests. It is one of the few colleges in Mumbai with an extensive hostel facility for both boys and girls. Located within a walking range from the College and overlooking the Marine Drive, the hostel is certainly among the unique strengths of the College. The College has an enviable location, which is also historically significant. The building of the College, with its gothic architecture, has been classified as a grade I Heritage structure. It has recently been restored by the Kala Ghoda Association and the college has regained its luminous look. It stands out like a pearl as night falls. The Elphinstone College was awarded Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for Culture Heritage Conservation, in 2004 by UNESCO for the one of the best Heritage buildings restored. The rich library of the college has a collection of over one lakh books, journals and periodicals. Its range is vast - from some of the oldest and rarest books in the country to the latest and the contemporary., Equally modern and well equipped are the computer and science laboratories, which adequately refine the students’ abilities. Besides teaching and learning, the students can also avail of the state of the art Fitness Centre, set up in the Gymkhana. It is only natural that some of the prominent sports personalities have blossomed here., In 1824, an English school was set up by the Bombay Native Education Society. A meeting of the society decided to collect money by public subscription towards the endowment of Professorships for teaching the English Language and the Arts, Science and Literature of Europe. The Professorships were in honour of the Honourable Mountstuart Elphinstone, the retiring Governor of Bombay., In 1835, two Elphinstone professors opened classes distinct from the school. In 1840, the professors' classes were amalgamated with the Society's School to form the Elphinstone Native Education Institution. In 1945, the name was shortened to Elphinstone Institution. On 1st of April, 1856, the Institution was divided into the Elphinstone College and the Elphinstone High School. In 1860, the Elphinstone College was recognised by the University of Bombay., The College conducts courses in Arts, Science and Commerce from FYJC (XI) to Third Year BA/B Sc/B Com. The college is also recognised as a Centre for Research by Bombay University in subjects like English, Hindi, Marathi and History. Students reading for a Ph D degree can also register at the college., With an imposing façade and skyline, the college buildings – called the Sir Cowasji Jehangir Buildings – are among the select list of Grade I Heritage buildings in the city. The college is situated in Fort, just opposite the Jehangir Art Gallery. The nearest railway station is Churchgate (about 10 minutes walking distance), on the Western Railway., This majestic building was designed by Trubshaw and Khan Bahadur Muncherjee Murzban in the 1880's. Originally meant to house the Government Central Press, it was completed by John Adams, Executive Engineer to the Bombay Government at a total cost of Rs 7,50,000 (Rupees seven and a half lakhs) which included a substantial sum donated by Sir Cowasjee Jehangir. The building was used for academic activities from April 1888. The Elphinstone College building is amongst the finest Victorian structures in India. It is a breathtaking architectural composition of a dynamic fenestration scheme, ordered by flanking stone turrets roofed over in tiled pyramid-shaped roofs. Finely articulated stone balconies, brackets and balustrades along with intricately designed surface motifs add to the decorative features of the building. With an imposing facade and skyline, it is among the select list of Grade I Heritage buildings in the city, meriting careful restoration and preservation of its historic fabric. The College building has been nominated for UNESCO's Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation for the year 2004. Use Google Maps for turn-by-turn driving directions to the campus.