Mayo College Ajmer: An Introduction

One of the finest schools in India and founded by the British Viceroy Lord Mayo, the College is famous not only for its education but for its architecture as well. Designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob, the state engineer of Jaipur, Mayo College is built of white marble. Founded in 1875 as a school for Indian princes, its first pupil was the Maharaja of Alwar. Keeping tradition and royalty in mind, the prince arrived at the college perched on an elephant along with a massive entourage of servants, camels, trumpeters and whoever wished to come along. College Groomed Princes to Behave like a British gentlemen

Rudyard Kipling’s father designed Mayo’s coat of arms, and the college’s students normally proceeded to Oxford or Cambridge universities after being groomed on how to behave like `British gentlemen’. The college premises also have a hospital and a museum with portraits of its illustrous alumni and souvenirs from princely pasts.

The school befitted princes, with its huge gardens and rooms for their servants to live. Not to be outdone, some princes built their own mini palaces within the school premises. Today, Mayo College is no longer restricted to children of the rich and famous. Although the British left India 50 years ago, Mayo College still retains its Imperial aura.