THE HISTORY OF THE RAJKUMAR C0 4 10LEGE. The Watery of the
Rajkumar College.—The Maharajah of Bhavnagar has displayed his loyalty to his old college by publish- ing in most sumptuous form the history of the college since its establishment forty years ago. The Rajkumar College was established with the deliberate idea of enabling the sons of Indian chiefs in the Bombay Presidency to have the advantage of an education analogous to that provided by English public schools. It was placed at Rajkot, in Kathiawar, so as to be in the centre of a large number of Native States. At first the chiefs showed very great reluctance to take advantage of the education offered, and when the college was opened the only student who presented him- self was the young Thakore of Bhavnagar. The good example set by the Durbar of Bhavnagar in sending the young Thakore was apoodily followed by other States, and the entries rose to twelve; but the number of pupils has seldom exceeded forty. It is interest- ing to note that in the early days alarm was frequently felt lest. the sons of princely houses might be captured by opposing partisans, and a considerable force of retainers was stationed at the college to guard the young chieftains. The history which the Maharajah of Bhavnagar has now published has been compiled with the greatest minuteness, and includes a chronicle of events, some of which to the general reader may seem hardly worth recording. The book is plentifully illustrated with photographs, plans, and maps. It is issued for private circulation only.
Previous page
