Located next to Lal Court, near Sursagar Lake, the Female Training College, formerly known as Zenana School and Stree Adhyapan Mandir, was established in 1882 with the goal of training female teachers for primary and secondary schools. It was a pioneering institution for its time, dedicated to the education and empowerment of women.
A Vision for Women’s Education
The college included a girls’ school and offered Zenana classes designed to teach women who had not attended formal schooling. These classes covered reading, writing, household accounts, embroidery, drawing, and practical cookery. The primary objective was to equip women with the skills needed to be self-sufficient and empowered, reflecting Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III’s progressive vision for women’s education in the late 19th century.
Architectural Details and Legacy
The building, now approximately 125 years old, was originally constructed in an exposed brick style and featured stained glass windows and teak wood design elements. It has three floors: 15 rooms on the ground and second floors, and 5 rooms on the third floor. Built on higher ground to avoid flooding during the monsoon season, it shares this elevation with the Stree Udyogalaya and the Music College.
The college also includes a hostel with accommodation for 48 female scholars. Although the building’s original exposed brick facade has been plastered over, and its heritage look diminished, the wooden windows and stairs remain intact.
Today known as Sarkari Buniyadi Stree Adhyapan Mandir, the institution has evolved but still honors the vision of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. It currently offers a Diploma in Elementary Education (PTC) in both Gujarati and Marathi mediums, continuing its legacy of fostering educational opportunities for women.
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