1504) La Martiniere Girl's College, Lucknow Sesquicentennial Celebrations - (1869-2019): A Special Postal Cover brought out by the UP Postal Circle of India Post: Year of Postal Cover issue: 2019:
About Major General Claude Martin (05.01.1735-13.09.1800):
Major General Claude Martin, an officer in the French Army and later in the British East India Company Bengal Army was born in Lyon, France.
He came from a modest background, having been born in Lyon, France.
A self-made man, he left a substantial legacy in the form of his writings, buildings and educational institutions that he founded posthumously.
Claude Martin never married and he left no heirs.
He left the greater part of his wealth to a plethora of charities.
Being almost entirely self-educated, he realised the value of a formal education and in his will, he set aside a large portion of his estate for the founding of schools at Calcutta (present day Kolkata), Lucknow and Lyon (France), the city of his birth.
The residue of his estate after bequests had been made was to be used for the maintenance of these schools.
These schools play a major role in training the youth to become educated, disciplined and useful citizens of the world.
Students who have passed through the portals of education in the Martiniere Colleges still remember his generosity, foresight in playing a vital role in their education and shaping them into the fine your men and women, many of whom have made important contributions to the nation and society.
The anniversary of Claude Martin's passing is celebrated by Martiniere Schools as "Founder's Day".
The many facets of his personality included :
- being a surveyor of places like Undwanala, Chunargarh, River Teesta, Cooch Behar etc.
- He was also recognised as a great architect by the Nawabs of Avadh and had many of their buildings designed by him. He was a man of fine taste who gave Lucknow many of its famous historical buildings.
- He was a trusted confidante of Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula, who saw in him a person, essential to off-set the East India Company's influence.
- As a diplomat, he walked the tight-rope between the Nawab and the EIC that he was trusted by both.
- He was a trust-worthy money-lender and banker.
- He was a man who left his wealth for the children and people of India, which had become his home.
- The three schools at Lucknow, Kolkata and Lyon stand testimony to his legacy - as his most eloquent monuments.
La Martiniere Girls College, Lucknow , Sesquicentennial (1869-2019):
In 1869, La Martiniere Girl's College, Lucknow was established in Moti Mahal premises with less than 100 students and staff
In 1871, it was shifted to Khursheed Manzil (or the House of the Sun") and incorporated and established as a branch of La Martiniere College.
Khursheed Manzil is a large double-storeyed mansion marked by towers at the corners. The building was begun by Saadat Ali Khan and completed by his son Ghazi-ud-Din Haider. The property was built in the form of a fortified castle. There is a 12-foot (4 metres wide moat, over which there was formerly a draw-bridge.
Presently, the College has over 2,700 students and about 250 staff members.
Throughout 2019, La Martiniere Girls College, Lucknow celebrated its Sesquicentennial year.
Santosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"Gr8 information Rajeev about one of the prestigious institutions at Lucknow."
Thank you so much, Khanna sahab. I received this Special Cover today from the epostoffice. My old College La Martiniere has crossed the 175 year milestone now.
DeleteVinod Khurana has commented:
ReplyDelete"Great information!"
Thank you, Vinodji.
DeleteRajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Interesting information."
Last year my old College, La Martiniere, Lucknow, crossed the 175th year milestone, Trikha sahab. A special postal cover is also to be issued on the College, crossing this milestone. The College is an important part of Indian history and one of the most beautiful heritage buildings, as far as Colleges go. Several movies have been shot at location, particularly on the First War of Indian Independence.
DeleteRajan Trikha has further commented:
Delete"It’s proud feelings to be associated with such a prestigious institution 👍👍"
Thank you, Trikha sahab. I have very fond memories of the five years I studied there (1970-75).
DeleteThank you for sharing useful information with us. please keep sharing like this.
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