Pompeian-red heart of BU beats for cricket and physics

Central College, where Nobel laureate CV Raman announced his findings, fights for recognition by ASI
3. Situated in the heart of the city, the red building still holds an old-world charm, not much renovation work has been done on it
3. Situated in the heart of the city, the red building still holds an old-world charm, not much renovation work has been done on it

BENGALURU: When you enter Central College, you’re left with a sense of serenity,” says Arun Prasad, a city-based independent historian. And he’s right - with its red buildings, long arches and green cover, the college takes visitors back to a time when the British ruled. The 65-acre campus, which has been reduced to 43-acres now as some buildings were taken over by the government for official purposes, boasts of a rich history. Over the years, the campus on Palace Road has retained its charm, as unlike most heritage sites, this one has remained quite untouched.

1. Central College on Palace Road 2. Long arches along the building, a feature of Gothic architecture
1. Central College on Palace Road 2. Long arches along the building, a feature of Gothic architecture

A brief history The British favoured Bengaluru for its weather, and this was one of the main reasons why, in 1858, they started the Bangalore High School with just five students, marking the advent of the modern education system in the city. The primary objective of these Christian missionaries was to impart high-quality education, and they established many institutions in the Cantonment and Petah areas, along with printing presses for educational purposes. At the time, the institute was located a little away from where it is now, but still fell in the heart of the city, giving it its name. Over the years, the institute became one of the country’s leading colleges, before becoming an independent university in the post-independence era. The first principal of the school was Reverend J Garret, who was succeeded by BL Rice, the latter being a man whose legacy lives on through his contributions in education and archaeology, says Prasad.

5. Classrooms still have the wooden beams and amphitheatre seating 6. Wooden staircases have been retained
5. Classrooms still have the wooden beams and amphitheatre seating 6. Wooden staircases have been retained

It was during Rice’s time that the students of the school started to appear for the matriculation exams under Madras University. Now, the school had shifted to its current location, and some important features, like the clock tower, were built. By 1875, the strength of the institute began to grow, and it was renamed Central College when it became a first-grade college. What is interesting is that the primary and high schools remained associated with Central College till the end of the 19th century, after which they formed a separate school. By 1901, hostels were built on campus for outstation students. “Bangalore Unive r s i t y, as we know it today, originated at Central College. Till 1972, most departments were in Central College, after which these d e p a r t m e n t s were shifted,” says Professor S Japhet, vice chancellor, Bangalore Central Unive r s i t y. He adds that the college has been the birthplace of some important social movements such as the farmers movement and the dalit movement. Japhet adds that he is trying to get a documentary made on the college so that people get to know about its rich legacy.

7. An old spiral metal staircase is
now rusty 8. Famous Bengalureans
such as former Lokayukta Santosh
Hegde had once walked through this
entrance as a student

Gothic architecture The High Court, Central Library and Central College were built around the same time, thus owing to the structures looking similar. “Central University is one of Bengaluru’s most remarkable structures. The building is painted pompeian red (the colour said to be associated with the Queen of England), and is constructed in the Gothic style of architecture. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), however, hasn’t recognised it as an official heritage site. But there is a fight going on to mark buildings that are over a 100 years old as centrally recognised heritage sites, Central College being one of them,” says Prasad. He adds that earlier, the lush gardens on campus were guarded closely by the superintendents of Lalbagh.

“The original structures haven’t been disturbed, but the serenity of the place has been dampened due to the widening of roads and Metro work,” says Prasad. Noted alumni It is interesting to learn that CV Raman announced his Nobel award winning findings in the physics block at Central College, and hence that gallery is named after him. Apart from Raman, several other prominent personalities have walked through the hallowed halls of the college. Some of the early names associated with it include Charles Walters, H J Bhabha, John Cook, R H Piggot and C R Narayana Rao. Former Supreme Court judge, Justice Santosh Hegde, is an alumnus of this college, and says that his two years there while pursuing his BSc were memorable. “What I remember fondly about the campus was the lush greenery and the wonderful canteen, the canteen was so good that even the students from the nearby state law college would come there to eat. We had a great principal too then, Professor Bondade,” he says. He adds he was captain of the hockey team and played for the state during his college days. “Now, the hockey field has been replaced by a convention hall, but apart from that, the architecture has been kept intact,” says Hegde.

After the establishment of Bangalore University, some of the alumni of Central College, along with affiliated colleges like University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE), include eminent statesmen, jurists, scientists, entrepreneurs, actors, artists and human rights activists. These include Sri Sri Ravishankar, Justice Rajendra Babu, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, TV Mohandas Pai, Nirupama Rao, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, Anushka Sharma and Prakash Belawadi.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com