Colonial legacy in Pune: An academic and architectural heritage

Abstract

Historical readings on the colonial heritage of education are rather limited. Furthermore, a study of this nature focusing principally on the city of Pune, is even more difficult to find.Heritage is all around us; it can be found in our environs, in traditional practices, in monuments, which in entirety become a part of life. Socio-economic, cultural and religious vicissitudes and changes were observed in Pune during the colonial period from 1818-1947; however, one of the longer lasting impacts of British rule in the city, has been its educational institutions established during the above mentioned period; schools, colleges and research institutes, which have been serving the masses for over more than 150 years. The educational legacy of these heritage monuments and traditions of Pune, the ‘Oxford of the East’, continues through schools like the Bishop’s, St Mary’s, St Anne’s, St. Vincent’s; colleges like Deccan College, Fergusson College, Agriculture College, the University of Pune, the Wadia College and the likes.