Holds a century old Legacy

Any one passing through Palace road cannot fail to notice the elegant Pompeian red coloured building of Central College and feel proud to have such a classic structure at the centre of our city.

Central College is one of the very few old colleges of India, started during the British rule. Like many other great institutions which make a humble beginning and gradually become highly renowned, Central College in Bangalore too was started in a temporary shed in January 1858 as the Bangalore High School. The Rev. J. Garret who later retired as Director of Public Instruction was its first Principal. He was succeeded by Mr.B.L. Rice in 1860 who remained in the post till 1866. The central block with its prominent tower was built in 1860. Mr. Charles Waters was the next principal. Though it was called a high school, it taught up to B.A. and was affiliated to the University of Madras. Sir Mark Cubbon, the Chief Commissioner, considered imparting Natural Science subjects an important part of the education and hence this school gave importance to Science education in its curriculum. It was in 1875, the High School was named ‘Central College’ and affiliated to the University of Madras. Thus, the history of Central College actually begins from 1875.

When the college completed sixty years, the Old Boys’ Association celebrated the diamond jubilee of their Almamater in December 1935. Under the chairmanship of the then Principal, E.G. McAlpine, a Publication Committee was formed. One of the great personalities of Kannada literature, Prof. B. M. Srikantaiah was the convener. The celebration was very meaningfully done under the guidance of C.B. Rama Rao, the president of Old Boys’ Association. The diamond jubilee souvenir was brought out in 1935. Though looks like a medium sized book, it is not only an excellent documentation of the college history with rare pictures, but gives us a vivid picture of many other social aspects of the city at that time. Even after three years of becoming a college, this institution not only offered B.A., F.A. and matriculation, but also had primary and pre-primary classes. They were all accommodated in the central block which later became the library.

Mr. Charles Waters strived hard to raise the standard of the institution. Under him it became known as a college of Science. He, a strict disciplinarian, had a rough exterior but was kind at heart. He loved and respected his students. When Mr. R. Narasimhachar, who, later became a great scholar, passed his F.A. examination in first class in 1879, Mr. Waters threw up his hat and in jubilation danced in the class!

The college got separated from the lower classes in 1882 when Dr. John Cook became the principal. Till 1885 only Physics and Chemistry were taught. Soon, when Dr. J. Cook introduced Mathematics also in the curriculum, Central College was a role model for keeping up academic standards in the entire South India.

Dr.J. Cook dedicated himself so immensely for the development of the college that he used to stay in the college from sunrise to sunset. Most of the staff members and pupils imbibed his virtues. His commitment can be realized in this statement of Prof. J.G Tait, the son in law of Dr. J. Cook and the succeeding head of the college: “If ever ghost haunted the place it worked for and loved, Mr. Cook would still be walking in the grounds of the college and lingering in the nooks and corners of its old hall, as he used to saunter when he was alive in its moonlit grounds after a hard day’s work.” He retired in 1908. Mr. Tait adds, “a proof of the excellent feeling in the Central College was seen in the farewell entertainment to Mr. Cook. After the official programme was over, a number of enthusiasts took the horse out of Mr. Cook’s carriage and dragged Mr. and Mrs. Cook all the way to Cubbon Hotel, with the pipers of the 12th Napiers’ Rifles playing in front.”

Prof J.G Tait too, like his father-in-law, moulded the personalities of many youngsters, in addition to teaching his subject English. Many of them occupied higher positions in different walks of life. Sir Mirza Ismail, who became Dewan of Mysore State and was also mainly responsible for making Bangalore city beautiful, recollects: “It is upon Dr. Cook and Mr. Tait that my own mind dwells chiefly. They are the men of power and goodwill, untiring benefactors of generations after generations, they are identified with what is best in us and life has confirmed their teachings.”

Masti Venkatesha Iyengar, one of the recipients of Jnanpith award from Karnataka, has highest regards for Prof. Tait. Prof. Tait used to advise his students: “…What you write should be simple in style, the meaning should be clear but expressions succinct; words should not be used unnecessarily. Sentence will be graceful when presented with apt words…” Remembering these guidelines throughout his life, Masti writes: “Prof. Tait made me think about the purpose of life and the means to achieve it. He showed how to tread the path with courage.” Tait’s daughter Margaret Tait was born in Bangalore in 1907. Being a keen observer, she has documented her experiences in and around Central College from 1920 to 1941 under the title ‘Bangalore Memoirs’. In 1976 she handed over her typewritten narratives consisting of about 18 pages and other papers to Cambridge University. They are well preserved under the title ‘Tait Papers’.

To be continued….

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