In the yesteryears of Mumbai, education formed the primary influence in unifying the diverse communities that sought refuge in the city. Back in the day, education consisted of indigenous pathshalas where religious works and elementary mathematics were taught. On World Heritage Day, we delve into the legacy schools of Mumbai that pioneered education for the city’s scholarly. The extracts have been taken with permission from the book, "Bombay: The Cities Within" by Rahul Mehrotra and Sharada Dwivedi, and published by Eminence Designs Pvt. Ltd.
Updated On: 2023-04-18 06:59 PM IST
Compiled by : Ainie Rizvi
Wilson College
Dr John Wilson of the British Missionary Society was a pioneering educationist who founded the Wilson School in 1832, which subsequently became the Wilson College. It is one of the oldest colleges in India designed in the Victorian Gothic style of architecture. The building is noted for its large first-floor classrooms with interesting teakwood trusses. These classrooms are protected by deep verandahs, which overlook the Girgaum Chowpatty beach and are protected by the Mangalore tiled roof. Photo Courtesy: iStock
J B Petit High School
After the rampart removal, several schools were built within the restructured Fort area in Mumbai. These included the John Connon High School, the Cathedral High School, and the Frere Fletcher School which later got renamed to J B Petit High School for girls. It was designed in an Italian Gothic style by Geroge Twigge Molecey. Although established and run by members of the Zoroastrian community, the founder of the school, Mr. Petit wanted to ensure that the school maintained its cosmopolitan and diverse character. Photo Courtesy: J B Petit High School
Elphinstone College
Crafted in a ‘Romanesque Transitional’ style, the Elphinstone College building was designed by J Trubhshawe and M Murzban. Sir Cowasji Jehangir funded the construction of Elphinstone and his medallion portrait is placed above the main porch. The college has many notable alumni, including revolutionaries such as B. R. Ambedkar, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Virchand Gandhi, Badruddin Tyabji, Pherozeshah Mehta, Nanabhai Haridas, Kashinath Trimbak Telang, and Jamsetji Tata. Photo Courtesy: iStock
JJ School of Arts
In 1853, Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy endowed Rs 1 lakh towards the construction of the J J School of Arts. The building was designed by George Molecey and completed in 1857. Workshops and classes were conducted in decorative painting, and ironwork under the guidance of John Lockwood Kipling. Photo Courtesy: J J School of Arts
St Xavier's School
The school was built when the Bombay Port took on new importance as the "Gateway to India", in 1869. At that time, it incorporated primary students from the Jesuit St. Mary’s on Cavel Street which had been opened in 1860. Music was taught from 1873 – singing, the harmonium, piano, flute, and violin. A band followed in 1878. Photo Courtesy: Nascimento Pinto
