After the foundation of the
Sadharan Brahmo Samaj in May, 1878. Another important step was taken by some
eminent members of the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj by opening a higher class English
Institution called the City School. These members were Anandamohun Bose,
Sivanath Sastri Umeshchandra Dutta, Krishnakumar Mitra, Rajaninath Ray,
Durgamohan Das, Dwarakanath Ganguli and Kalisankar Sukul. Rastraguru
Surendranath Banerjee also took important part for this purpose.
The School was opened after a
special Divine Service on January 6, 1879 even before establishing the Prayer
Hall (Mandir) of Sadharan Braho Samaj. Its prospectus had been issued in the
name of Anandamohun Bose, who supplied the initial expenses, Surendranath
Banerjee, who though not a member of the Samaj, yet kindly undertook to be one
of the first teachers, and Pandit Sivanath Sastri, who was the first Headmaster
of this school. The names of the above-mentioned first two persons, who were at
that time the organised leaders of Bengal, drew into the school a large number
of students (300 three hundred in the first year) and it was a success from a
pecuniary point of view almost from the day of its foundation. The young Brahmo
teachers who joined the institution also entered upon their duty with great
earnestness, making it altogether attractive to those who came to it. It also
secured the confidence of parents and guardians who became anxious to place
their children and wards under the moral superintendence of the new teachers. Thus
this institution was a success from the very beginning.
During this year (1879) the
enthusiasm of the members of the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj found an outlet in other
channels of philanthropic and propagandist activity. On the 27th of
April they opened a new institution called the Students’ Weekly Service. The
meetings of the Service used to be held on Sunday mornings in the City School
Hall. At that time when there were no other institutions Intended specially for
the moral and spiritual education of the student community of Calcutta, the
Students’ Service was the only one working in that line and its influence on
the minds of the rising generation was great.
Along with the Students’ Weekly
Service some young members of the Samaj started in the City School a Society
called “The Young Man’s Theistic Society”, which used to meet once a month and
hold discussion on important theological and ethical questions.
Remarkable success had attended
this school since its foundation in 1879. The authorities of the school,
amongst whom Anandamohun Bose and Umeshchandra Dutta were the leading figures
tried their best to make it a model Institution by adding a college department
to it on the 17th of January, 1881 and the City College was opened
and the first Principal was Umeshchandra Dutta who was the second Headmaster of
city College school after Pandit Sivanath Sastri. Pandit Sivanath Sastri
engaged himself in the works of the Samaj and Umeshchandra Dutta took up
responsibility of the administration of the City School and City College. All classes of the school and of the college
were held during daytime.
The City College became one the
largest and most efficient institutions ever affiliated to the University of
Calcutta. Anandamohun Bose became the Life President of its council. It was his
earnest desire to make the city school and the City College the nucleus and centre
of a vigorous educational mission with a band of devoted and self-sacrificing
workers like the Professors of the Fergusson College of Poona, educated and
patriotic young men who would work for the promotion of education on a more
subsistence allowance.
Later, the school and the college
were left to a body of Trustees by Anandamohun Bose, with a constitution that
was exemplary and in which the staff of teachers and the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj
Committee were both represented. This Constitution was further developed and
registered in 1905, thus giving it a legal and permanent status, according to
which the appointment of the Managing Council lies entirely in the hands of the
Executive Committee of the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj, under the sanction of the
Trustees. Of course, the idea of a fair representation of the teaching staff in
Governing Body had not been overlooked. This Board of Trustee was known as City
College Institution. In course of time this City College institution became a
registered body and came to be known as Brahmo Samaj Education Society. Now the
City School, City College, City College of Commerce and Business Administration,
Umesh Chandra College, Anandamohun College, Rammohun College, Prafulla Chandra College
Herambachandra College and Sivanath Sastri College are the educational
institutions managed by the Brahmo Samaj Education Society. It is a registered
Society-Registered under Act xxi (Registration of Societies Act) of 1860.
Anandamohun Bose established City
School and City College at Mymensingh and hoped that other branch institutions
might be opened.
The City School was first started
at 13, Surya Sen (formerely Mirzapur) Street in the house which was Bharat
Ashram. This original house was demolished and a new building in which we are
holding our classes was built up. The foundation stone of this original
building was laid on September 15, 1883 by Mr. Justice Romesh Chunder Mitter
and the new building was opened in 1884 by the Governor General of India, Lord
Ripon. All distinguished persons of Calcutta including Lt. Governor of Bengal,
Sir R. Tomson were present at this grand opening ceremony. Foundation Stone of
the backward portion of this building was laid on June 30, 1960 and was opened
on August 20, 1961, by Dr. Devendra Mohun Bose.
The objects of this school and of
the other eight colleges already referred to are to promote the cause of
education in its highest and widest sense; to make that education –
comprehending the training of the mind, heart and body and founded on a
theistic basis – conduce to the good of man and the glory of God.
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