School where Mahatma Gandhi spent 7-yrs makes way for museum

05 May, Gandhinagar

In Gujarat, the 164-year-old Alfred High School in Rajkot where Mahatma Gandhi spent seven years has made way for a museum. The proposal to turn this state-run Gujarati medium school into a museum was accepted by the Gujarat government last year. This school is also known as Mohandas Gandhi High School.

Rajkot Municipal Corporation had sent a proposal to the state government to convert the school into a museum last year. Mahatma Gandhi passed out from this erstwhile Alfred High School in 1887 when he was 18. After the Government decision to convert it in to a Museum, the school authorities have started issuing school leaving certificates to the 125-odd students.

Government has also hired a consulting agency – for this project which will cost Rs.10 crore. The school was founded on 17th October 1853 during the British rule.

It was the first English medium school in Saurashtra region at that time. It was built by the Nawab of Junagadh in 1875 and named after Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh. After India’s independence in 1947, the school was renamed the Mohandas Gandhi High School.