“What influence will this have on the future of Indian womanhood?” Dorothy de la Hey asked herself. That question encapsulates the spirit of Queen Mary’s College. Here we stand before a place of firsts a college that has shaped the lives of countless women.
Queen Mary’s College is a government-run institution. It stands proudly as the first women’s college in Chennai. It is also the third oldest in India. Only Sarah Tucker College is older in South India. The college graces the junction of Kamarajar Salai and Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai. It faces the beautiful Marina Beach.
Let’s journey back to 1914. Dorothy de la Hey founded Madras College for Women. She had the support of Lord Pentland, the Governor of Madras Presidency. In 1917, it was renamed Queen Mary’s College. Three child widows Ammukutty, Lakshmi, and Parvathy were among its early graduates. They were the first to achieve this feat in South India.
The original building had an interesting past. It was once the residence of Lt Col Francis Capper. Later, it became a hotel. In 1914, it transformed into a college. Known as Capper House, it became a preserved heritage building.
Under Dorothy de la Hey’s leadership, the college expanded. New buildings like Pentland House and Stone House were constructed. By 1923, science subjects were introduced with physics and chemistry laboratories.
Queen Mary’s College was a pioneer in music education. In 1928, it offered a two-year intermediate course in Indian music. The music department officially opened in 1930. Dorothy de la Hey’s tenure ended in 1936. By then, the college had grown significantly. Miss Myers took over as Principal. Nallamuthu Ramamurthi was the first Indian Principal.
Sadly, Capper House was later demolished. In its place, the Kalaignar Maaligai was built. It serves as a new administrative office. It was inaugurated in July 2010.
Queen Mary’s College has consistently been recognized for its excellence. In 2022, it was ranked 47th among colleges in India by the NIRF. In 2024, the college is ranked 71st among colleges in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework.
The alumni of Queen Mary’s College includes many notable women. Yashodhara Dasappa a politician was a Padma Bhushan recipient. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay a freedom fighter received the Padma Vibhusan. Janaki Ammal was a renowned scientist. Lakshmi Sahgal was another freedom fighter. Musicians like Charumathi Ramachandran and Vani Jairam also attended Queen Mary’s College. R. Sivabhogam was the first woman chartered accountant in India.
Most of the trees and buildings inside the Queen Mary’s College have shared that space for a century now. The college started with 37 women students. The initial proposal was seen as ‘unexceptionable’ and was about to be stalled. Sivaswami Aiyer got the proposal through its initial phases.
Initially, the college had only offered courses in humanities with no facilities for science subjects. This was soon resolved and students from Queen Mary’s were sent to attend science classes in Presidency College.
In 1987, Queen Mary’s was granted autonomy and presently has more than 3,000 students. Apart from this, the old-world charm of this college remains intact.
Queen Mary’s College is more than just a college. It is a symbol of empowerment. It has played a vital role in educating women from all backgrounds. Its legacy continues to inspire generations. It stands as a testament to the power of education. It embodies common sense and consideration.