Anti
Ragging Notice
The Oldest College of Rajasthan. 175
year Glorious History-Shining Future!
GCA, the Eton of east is
celebrating its 175 years of glory and fame in imparting excellent and unparallel
education to the young minds of India. Few institutions in this part of the country can
boast of such a long and glorious heritage. Started as an English school in 1836 by the
Court of Directors of the East India Company in the building now known as the Blue Castle,
GCA became an Intermediate College in 1868. The increase in numbers and the starting of
Intermediate classes required larger accomodation and the foundation stone of the present
buildings was laid on 17 February, 1868 by General Keating, the then Agent to the
Governor-General in Rajputana.
In the early nineties of the last century, the public of Ajmer started asking of the
college collected a sum of Rs 44,000/- and handed it over to the Government as their
contribution for the cause. Degree classes in Arts subjects were started in 1896 and in
Science subjects in 1913. A year earlier the school classes had been separated from the
college and shifted to another part of the town.
In the year 1946 came the first postgraduate department. There are 19 of them now
including Law. Degree classes in Commerce were added in 1949 and Law classes in 1951. This
is the only Government College in Rajasthan with facilities for postgraduate studies and
research in Science subjects Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, Botany, Commerce, English,
Sanskrit, Hindi, History, Economics and Political Science.
GCA changed its affiliation from Calcutta University to Allahabad University on the
latter's establishment in 1886 and further to Agra University when it came into existence
in 1927. Finally, the college came under the jurisdiction of University of Rajasthan after
the integration of the erstwhile State of Ajmer-Merwara with Rajasthan in 1956.
The expansion on the academic side and the increase in the number of students led to
extensive additions to the college building. The Biology block came up in 1929 and the
Chemistry Block in 1935. The Sports Pavilion was built in 1938 in commemoration of the
centenary year with money donated by the old boys, members of the Faculty and friends. A
new block of 14 big classrooms was added during the years 1953-56. These years also saw
the extension of the Zoology, Botany and Chemistry laboratories. The Assembly Hall was
built in 1958 and a new library building, a new hostel for boys, a hostel for girls, a
Hobby and Craft Centre and a Cafeteria came up in 1961. In 1958, the swimming pool and in
1963, the Gymnasium were added. The latter was built to mark the 125th year anniversary of
the College. The old boys, students and members of the Faculty contributed Rs. 15,000/-
toward its construction. The session 78-79 witnessed large extensions to the library
building and the cafeteria. Recently, the Geography block has been completely shuttered
precluding any entry of trespassers. A new Parking stand has also been erected to ensure
safety and security of vehicles.
Such is the consistent growth of GCA. It has at present the largest number of postgraduate
studies and research, facilitates a library rich in books and journals and excellent
lodging accommodation in hostel for girls. It can safely boast of a quiet campus in the
State while are rocked by indiscipline, violence and turmoil. The entire GCA campus
community is proud of it. |
