On January
20, 1817, Hindu School was founded in Kolkata (then Calcutta) as part of
the original Hindu College. It is celebrated as the oldest modern
educational institution in Asia, established to provide a secular,
Western-style education.
Key historical
details regarding its foundation include:
- Original Structure: The institution
initially comprised two sections: the Pathshala (school)
and the Mahapathshala (college).
- Visionary Founders: It was established
through the collaborative efforts of social reformers and philanthropists,
including Raja Ram Mohan Roy, David Hare, Radhakanta
Deb, and Sir Edward Hyde East.
- Initial Opening: Classes began at a
rented house in Garanhata (304 Chitpur Road) with an
initial batch of 20 male students.
- Evolution into Presidency: In 1855, the
institution was split. The "Mahapathshala" became Presidency College (now Presidency
University), while the "Pathshala" became the independent Hindu School.
- Legacy: The school
played a pivotal role in the Bengal Renaissance, producing
notable alumni such as Satyendranath Bose and Keshab Chandra Sen.
