Mayo College
 | This article contains wording that promotes the subject in a subjective manner without imparting real information. |
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| Motto | Let there be light |
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| Type | Private |
| Established | 1875 |
| Principal | Mr. Pramod Sharma |
| Students | 800 |
| Location | |
| 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
Concerned at the rising ware of nationalism after the Indian Mutiny of 1857, the British realised that to strengthen their hold in India they, being just a handful, needed to widen their political and psychological management of India and the Indians. Thus they began to focus on education and in pursuit of this objective Macaulay's minutes on Education of 1837 "to create a class of people - Indian in Blood and Colour but English in opinions, in morals and in Intellect" became the cornerstone of their strategy.
In this plan the princes who had remained silent spectators during the mutiny were identified as useful allies and a "stabilising" force - a force of over 350 main rulers in the 1850s who comprised of over two thirds of India, for whom suitable educational institutions became relevant. The credit for originating the idea of Mayo College must be given to Colonel Walter who in his Bharatpur Agency Report of May 28, 1869 suggested the opinion of such an esteemed institution in order to ensure to the sons of the aristocracy of this country a liberal and enlightened education.
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.[1][2]
Coat of Arms
This was composed from the design furnished by (John) Lockwood Kipling, a former Principal of the Mayo School of Arts, Lahore (within Undivided India then), and father of the famous Rudyard Kipling.
In the Upper Centre of the Shield are Mayo Arms, and Quarterings, a Lion Rampant and an Open Hand. On the right and left are the Sun and the Moon, typical of Suryavanshi and Chandravanshi, the two great families of Rajputs. Below are the Panch Rang, the five sacred colours of the Rajputs, Red, Gold, Blue, White and Green. In the centre of which is a Rajput fort - two towers connected by a curtain. The Supports are on the right, a Bhil warrior with string bow and quiver full of arrows. On the left a Rajput, armed at all points, wearing a steel helmet with three plumes, a shield on his back, a dagger and Qatar in his belt, and a suit of chain covered with embroidered cloth and gauntlet on his hand.
The motto is "Let there be Light". The badge is a peacock, the sacred bird of Rajputana, standing on a two edged, two handed Rajput Sword Khanda.
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.
Organisation
The school is managed by the Board of Governors and run by the Principal, assisted by his academic and administrative staff.
There is a house master who is the pastoral head of each house and is assisted by the assistant house masters, house tutors and matrons in the more detailed supervision of individual pupil. The Junior Section of the school has a separate staff and a headmaster so as to be able to concentrate more on the needs of the young ones.
The school prepares the boys for the secondary school certificate exam (class 10) and senior secondary school certificate exam (class 12) conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) New Delhi. The school offers specialization in science, commerce and humanities.
Campus life
Mayo offers the students in its fold a unique opportunity to develop both mind and the body through a structured educational and distinctive co-curricular programme. Being primarily a boarding school with a handful of day scholars, the campus is self-sufficient and has the facilities and the opportunities for each student to excel in various spheres.
Terms
The academic year is from July to April. It is divided into two terms: Autumn term: from the middle of July to early December. Spring term: from the middle of January to the end of April/beginning of May.
In the middle of the first term, the school organises a large number of educational trips, camps, sight scene tours, treks, and expeditions.
Daily routine
The daily routine includes P.T., Assembly, Teaching periods, Evening games, Temple and preparations periods.
Reports
The school has a system of continuous assessment where a boy’s academic performance is determined by his performance in the unit tests and class tests. At the end of each term, full reports are sent to the parents/guardians. For promotions, the boy’s work throughout the year as well as his performance in the terminal examinations is taken into account. The principal decisions in the matter regarding placement and promotion of a boy is final.
Sports
The role of games is vital for a child's development and in keeping with the pressing need for good games facilities. Mayo offers a wide range of sports and games to boys. In addition to the morning P.T.,which is compulsory,they get an exposure to all games but according to the boy’s aptitude and liking, he can select a game in which he is given the opportunity to attain the highest proficiency.
The school has two full-size cricket fields which includes a turf wicket with separate cricket nets, cricket being played throughout the year. Besides the traditional fixtures and IPS tournaments, the school team participates in the district level tournaments as well and some of the more talented players play for the state zone e.t.c.
In all other games as well, the school places a lot of emphasis on attaining excellence. The boys participate in district, state and IPSC tournament and the very talented once take part in the national level tournaments.
For Soccer and Hockey which are again very popular games, we have 15 fields.
The school has 16 tennis courts and four in different Houses. There are five squash courts and the school also has a national-level coach. The school team participates in the national level squash tournaments. There are two swiming pools, one of which is for beginners.
The school has a gymnasium equipped with two multi-gym equipment, besides the traditional equipment. The boys can also participate in trampolining and boxing.
There are two volleyball courts and two basketball courts.
Athletics, cross-country and cycling are also regular features of the games curriculum.
The boys play table tennis at the district level. The school holds its own individual chess championship.
Horse riding was discontinued after independence, but has been revived, which has generated a lot of enthusiasm among the riders and the aspiring riders.
The college has scouting, cubbing, band and the three National Cadet Corps wings. There is an N.C.C. firing range and one air rifle 10-metre range. Sailing, rock-climbing, as well as tours, treks and mountaineering expeditions and camping are organized for the boys.
Extracurricular activities
Boys have a wide range of hobbies and work experience projects to choose from. These include agriculture, book craft, commercial art, electronics, leatherwork, metalwork, music, photography, poultry, sculpture, typing, woodwork, clay modelling, stone and wood carving, library science and automobile engineering.
Societies and clubs
Numerous societies and clubs encourage activities for individuals as well as for groups for social, literary and cultural development:
English Debating society, Geographical society, Hindi debating society, Hindi literary society, Lalit Kala parishad, Museum society, Natural History society, Sangeet parishad, Science club, Adult education society, Library committee, Dramatic society, Photography, Interact club, Cray Club , Mountaineering and trekking club and Aero modelling society.
Museum
The college has a large museum containing assorted item related to diverse areas of learning and knowledge. It also houses priceless pieces, antiques and an armoury section. The college museum is reputed to be the best museum any school in the world can boast of. It is a rich resource centre which adds a new, unique dimension to learning.
Exchanges
The school has an exchange programme with a number of public schools in the U.K. The most deserving all-rounders and sportsmen are selected to participate in the exchanges and have been sent to the following schools: St. Edward's School, Oxford, Oakham School, Rutland, Wellington College, Radley College, Abingdon School, Oxfordshire, Dulwich College, London, The King's School, Canterbury, Rugby School, Loretto School, Musselburgh, Scotland, Eton College, Windsor, Clifton College, Bristol, Cheltenham College, Gloucestershire, Oundle School, Oundle, Peterborough, The Hotchkiss School, Wanganui Collegiate School, Aiglon College, Merchiston Castle School, Appleby College etc.
Mayo College Trivia
 | This article contains a list of miscellaneous information. (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