HISTORY OF D.J. COLLEGE
About
History of DJ Sindh Govt. Science College
Professor Ghulam Mehdi Baloch (Principal)
Diwan Dayaram Jethamal a prominent philanthropist and famous lawyer was the founder of D.J College. He realized the value and the need of higher Education for Sindhis. Before t887 there was rio college in Sindh. The students of Sindh Region had to go Bombay For higher Education as the Sindh was part of Bombay presidency. Only few students could afford to go Bombay for higher Education as it was highly expensive (at least Rs. 10,00 per month Rs, 8.00 for messing and Rs. 2.00 extra that amount were too much at that time). Due to this reason single not a Sindhi had been able to obtain any degree in Science.
At that time journey to Bombay it was also very difficult. Those days one had to go Kotri first from Kotri to Sukkur from Sukkur the boat took him to Rohri, and then by rail one went from Rohri to Delhi. The sea journey was much easier but in the monsoon no one could go by boat.
Considering these difficulties Diwan Dayaram Jethamal along with some leading and influential citizens of Karachi approached and requested the Government to establish a college which would be affiliated to Bombay University. The Government asked them to collect a sun,, of money for this purpose. He and Bulchand collected more than Rs. 25000/. Afterwards, January on 17th, 1887 his Excellency lord Reay, Governor of Bombay performed the opening ceremony in a rented bungalow) belonging to Diwan Shivandas aid Tikamdas both Collectors on the Bunder Road in the old thana compound with staff’ of five Professors and only 28 students out of which only three students passed examination. Nearly half of the students were above twenty and twenty six years old i.e. older than some of Professors. At that time it was rare student to finish the three years course. At that time teachers taught all the subjects like a school teacher. Some Professors taught English, Mathematics, Philosophy, History and even Law.
The University of Bombay recognized College on 14th April, 1887 as the Arts College. Next college was moved to three adjacent Bungalows on the Bunder Road.
The middle of which is now occupied by Sindh Gymkhana. The college was named “Sindh Arts College”. In 1891 the name of the college was changed from Arts College to the “Dayaram Jethamal Sindh College” ( D.J Sindh College) due to his efforts for establishing the college
From beginning college was Govt. College funded by local boards (government) and donors and run by Board of Governors under supervision of’ Govt. On the First Year total expenses of salaries was Rs. 24.00, Dr. Walmsley (Professor of Science and English) was the first Principal of College. Who served only one year ill the college and resigned because he found that the College was not Technical or Science (College was fitted by knowledge and training. During his service he lived in a hostel.
Later, on December l818 Hyderabad Engineering College was transferred in this college and law classes were also started in 1890. The college then started the science faculty also provided the facilities the studies up to M.A and M.Sc. Degrees.
With the efforts of’ Dayaram Jethamal and Bulchand Dayaram construction of new building started on land measure 16485 square yards donated by Government. The foundation stone of main building was laid by lord Deffbrin Viceroy of India on 17th of November 1887 and completed in Five Years i.e. 1892 at the cost of Rs. 186514 out of which the Government contribution was Rs. 97193. The College was formerly opened by Mr. Jemes the Commissioner in Sindh on 17 October 1892.
With the passage of time more and more students switch over to the study of’ science therefore in the year 1940 DJ was divided into separate facilities of Arts and Science. After five years i.e. 1945 both colleges were again used into one college under one principal.
After the partition of India (1947) the Board of Governors handed over the college to the Sindh Government with the same name was 20th June 1948. After that Arts faculty was closed down and college was known as DJ Sindh Govt. Science College. Professor A.L Sheikh was appointed the Principal of College was old student of College. Subjects taught?
At that time English, Persian, Logic, Physics, Sanskrit, Sindhi, History, Mathematics, Engineering, Latin, French, Arabic, Chemistry, Biology, Economics, Philosophy, other localities.
(Lord Reay Memorial Library)
In the November of 1887 few months later the college started, Lala Behrumal who had already donated handsome amount for the college made an offer of Rs. 20000 to the college for the Library which was on his name but he only donated Rs. 3500. Hence, his name was dropped. After few years later lord Reay donated Rs. 11810 to this college and library was named the Lord Reay Memon Library and Library started working in the year 1891-92.
(Mitha Ram Hostel)
In 1900 a very spacious and beautiful hostel was constructed with tile capacity of 200 students on the opposite side of the college. This was opened by Lord Notlhcote and was named as Metha Ram Hostel. Now hostel is occupied by Pakistan Rangers.
(List of College Students Serving Humanity)
The DJ College produced students who have achieved great success and 1brae, several of them have become prominent Engineers, Doctors, Surgeons. Scientists, Lawyers, Politicians, Judges and some have joined the civil service and taken up responsible administrative post.