125th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF AITCHISON COLLEGE, LAHORE. (2012-5)

 

2011 is a very special year in the History of Aitchison, as we are celebrating 125th year of its foundation. The story of its creation is quite fascinating and goes back to the time when India being a prosperous land was a crucial colony for the English. They never wanted to part with it and always thought ways to perpetuate their rule. It was the land which provided valiant soldiers for the English Army and essential raw material for the English Industry.

The policy of confrontations and hostilities with the locals must have taken its toll on the rulers' zeal. That is why after 1857 War of Independence, in which the East India Company successfully crushed the locals, they brought considerable changes in their policies. 'Reconciliation' appeared to be the watchword. The Punjab, like many other Indian states had successfully been annexed by the British Government. They wanted to create a class of the locals who would be the interpreters between the English rulers and millions of locals a 'class Indian in blood and colour, but English in taste, in opinion and intellect'. They started with the local rulers. The English wanted to educate them on their lines. The Punjab Chiefs' School better known as Aitchison College: an elitist institution was founded for Wards of courts and youths of landlords. It was one of the five Chief Colleges.

Sir Charles Umpherston Aitchison (1832-1896) the Governor of the Punjab took personal interest in its making. Col. Swindon S. Jacob, Bhai Ram Singh and J. Lockwood Kipling father of the famous English writer Rudyard Kipling were responsible for the design and unique architecture of the Main Building. On 3rd of November 1886, the Viceroy the Marquess of Dufferin and Ava came to the spacious but empty campus to lay the foundation stone of the main College building.

Over the years it has undergone transformation in campus facilities and its basic characteristic as a boarding school. Many new buildings and schools within the College came up with the passage of time. Admission policy and Fee Structure revised. It would now be misnomer to call Aitchison an Exclusive and Elitist College since it caters for students from all social strata. If Aitchison still is the household name for feudal families, bureaucrats and politicians, it is equally nostalgic to many who belong to Middle, Upper Middle or even weaker families. The College provides full scholarship to a few deserving and intelligent students who hail from rural areas of all the provinces of Pakistan.

The College is divided into three main Schools - Junior, Prep and Senior. Junior School caters for students from grade 1 to 5. Prep School acts as a middle school between Junior and Senior Schools. It nurtures younger boys aged 11 to 13 in grades 6 to 8. During his stay, at Prep School, a student undergoes the most crucial phase of his biological and mental development. He attains adolescence; changes from childhood to manhood. The skills he learns and character moulded in Prep School remains embedded in his mind for ever.

Senior School is the culmination of a boy's learning at Aitchison. After taking their external 'O' and 'A' Level Cambridge Examinations they go out to explore the diverse world of higher education in Universities and Colleges at home and abroad. From Howard to Oxford and from LUMS to Agha Khan Medical University, the presence of Aitchisonians can be felt. After completing education they join various professions in Pakistan and abroad. Aitchison College has produced eminent personalities in sports, politics and other professional fields. To name a few; Malik M Feroz Khan Noon, Nawab Amir Muhammad Khan of Kalabagh, Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, Muhammad Bahawal Khan Abbasi, Farooq Ahmad Leghari, Mir Zafrullah Khan Jamali, Sardar Yar Muhammad jamali, Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khosa, Khawaja Ahmed Tariq Rahim, Nawab Muhammad Mumtaz Hussain Khan Patuaudi, Mir Ala Dad Khan of Khairpur, Mir Balakh Sher Mazari, Syed Babar Ali, Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Imran Khan, Majid Khan, Ramiz Raja, Hasan Sardar, Syed M. Jaffar, Syed Qasim Zia, all hail from Aitchison.

Philanthropy at national scene is a laudable feature of Aitchisonians. Whenever, our country was in need; be it the flood, the earthquake or any other natural calamity our students always prove true to their responsibility. They contribute financially on yearly basis to various charitable organizations and trusts.

In short, Aitchison is unique in history and achievements and proud of 125 years of academic accomplishment.

On 125th Anniversary Celebrations of Aitchison College Lahore 2012, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs. 8/- denomination on March 3, 2012.