Hare School, Heritage boys' school in Kolkata, India.
Hare School is a boys' educational institution in central Kolkata, located opposite Presidency University on College Street. It enrolls students from age 5 to 18 and provides instruction in Bengali, English, and Hindi through the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education system.
The school was founded in 1818 by Scottish watchmaker David Hare and initially operated as Arpuli Pathshala before taking its current name in 1867. It marked the beginning of Western-style education in Asia and became a model for similar institutions across the region.
The school's Sanskrit motto, 'Tamaso ma jyotirgamaya,' reflects a blend of Indian and Western teaching methods that continues to shape its classroom work today. Visitors can observe this combination in how the institution balances traditional values with contemporary education.
The school is visible from the street and situated in a central location with good access by public transport. Keep in mind that this is an active educational facility, so access may be limited to certain hours or require prior permission from the administration.
The building was the first of its kind in Asia designed around Western teaching principles and is protected as a KMC Heritage Building Grade I. This classification honors both its architectural importance and its place in the educational history of the continent.
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