The Sanskari Nagri of Vadodara has a lot of hidden secrets, but the biggest secret is the Maharaja Sayajirao University, a university whose foundation was laid by Maharaja Pratap Singh Gaekwad of (old) Baroda in the year 1881 as Baroda College of Science.A public university since 1949, MSU caters to the education of over 100,000 students every year.
But if you think that’s all, here are top 8 facts about M.S.U. that will make you fall in love with this city-
Rome ka dome in Vadodara?
M.S.U’s Faculty of Arts masonry dome is the second largest dome in India after the GolGumbaz in Bijapur. A significant landmark of the city, the gigantic dome is 40 feet high with a beautifully painted ceiling. Built in the 1880s, the dome is said to be a property listed for restoration in the Archeological Survey of India.
Arts and Culture have always been in the crux of the city
The Faculty of Arts in M.S.U. is the oldest centre of learning in western India. This faculty has a lot brag about, of which one is that the Indian philosopher Aurobindo taught French in the then Baroda College of Arts and also served as vice-principal in 1905. An architectural marvel, the faculty when seen from the top is shaped as the letter E – the initial letter for education. The then Baroda College of Arts has truly laid the stone for education in the city of Vadodara.
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa-hla in India!
Go on, tell your outstation friends how awesome this big little city is! Vadodara’s MSU was the first one to open a ‘SangeetShala’ in India. Now known as the Department of Music under the Faculty of Performing Arts, this is the oldest and largest institution dedicated to all forms of Music in India. Established in 1886, the college has witnessed some renowned musicians as tutors, such as – Ut.TasadduqHussain Khan, Aftab e MousiquiUt.FaiyazHussain Khan ‘Rangeele’, Ut. Atta Hussain ‘Ratanpiya’, Ut.NissarHussain Khan of Rampur gharana and Gayanacharya Pt. Madhusudan Joshi.
Are you from English medium?
Maharaja Sayajirao University of Vadodara is one of the few colleges in India whose medium of instruction is English for all its courses. Though, specialization courses in Indian languages are taught in their respective language as the medium of instruction.
Blessings of Gautama Buddha
A pride possession of the Faculty of Archeology and Ancient History since 1960 – the relics of Lord Buddha were discovered as ‘stupa’ and ‘vihara’ lying underneath two mounds in Devni Mori, a Buddhist site in North Gujarat. The team of archaeologists from MSU had safely found and brought back home a relic casket containing bodily remains of Lord Buddha, which today are safeguarded and are available for viewing at the museum of MSU.
Abundant knowledge resides here!
MSU is one of the few universities whose facilities are plentiful compared to colleges and universities around town. The famous Smt. Hansa Mehta Library is one of Gujarat’s largest libraries in terms of size, books and functionality. It was named after the first vice chancellor of MSU, ShrimatiHansa Mehta, and founded in the year 1950. The library started functioning with 25,000 books from 2 State Libraries, and today it houses nearly half a million books, periodicals, DVDs, videos and University Archives. This well-equipped library is the first library in Gujarat to be fully air-conditioned, provide free Wi-Fi, and can withhold a capacity of nearly 1600 readers at a time.
Garden so large, you may get lost.
Said to be India’s 2nd largest botanical garden, the Botanical Garden and arboretum at MSU’s Department of Botany, is a gem in its own way. It is spread across half an acre of land and houses the rarest of plants. During the time of its establishment, the main objective of the garden was grow the maximum diversity of trees, and hence was spread from the existing garden to Vikrambaug (currently, residential quarters). The Department of Botany is highly regarded for its teaching quality and research in botany.
Covers a large-large chunk of Vadodara!
Maharaja Sayajirao University is not only one of the oldest university in the state, but also the largest university in Gujarat. Spread across 275 acres of land, this university covers a huge land space in Vadodara city. Moreover, the university is a second home to more than 35,000 students from around the country and the world, who experience a cosmopolitan life on campus. MSU is one of the largest universities in terms of land space, student inflow, staff, facilities and faculties.
And this makes MSU the pride of Vadodara and a renowned name in the world.
Did this take you back to the days of college?
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