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(Kashmir Rechords Exclusive)

Over 120 years ago, in a powerful and impassioned letter, Annie Besant, President of the Board of Trustees of the Central Hindu College, Benares, made a heartfelt appeal to Kashmiri Pandits living in Undivided India! Her message was clear: rise to the occasion and support the establishment of a Hindu  college in Srinagar. “The time has come for Kashmiri Pandits to contribute to the education of their homeland, or risk seeing their youth steered towards foreign ideals by Christian missionaries, flush with funds from English donors,” she warned.

Besant’s letter, published and circulated in major newspapers and journals of the time, was a rallying cry to preserve the cultural and intellectual future of Kashmir. She highlighted the urgent need for funds to elevate the Hindu High School in Srinagar—established in 1901 with the support of Maharaja Pratap Singh and his brother Amar Singh—into a second-grade college. Without this, Kashmiri students had to travel to distant cities like Lahore for higher education, a privilege many could not afford. Kashmir Rechords is in possession of this prized archival letter and is reproducing some of its  excerpts here.

Kashmir  Education at a Crossroad

At the heart of Besant’s letter was the belief that the educational future of Kashmir was at a critical juncture. The lack of higher education in the Valley meant that non-Kashmiris filled most senior positions in the State, an issue that deeply concerned both the Maharaja and the State Durbar, she warned. To remedy this, they were determined to build and fund a college in Srinagar. However, progress was being stalled, and Besant’s letter sought the active support of the prosperous Kashmiri Pandit community living in British India to make this vision a reality.

Besant’s letter warned that without swift action, missionaries could seize the opportunity to establish their own college, steering Kashmiri youth away from their cultural roots. “Do you want your children to turn into ‘Native Christians’?” she asked in her letter, pointing to the urgent need for preserving the region’s traditions through education.

Annie Besant’s Plan: A Call for Contributions

Besant’s appeal focused on a practical solution: regular financial contributions from Kashmiri Pandits. She outlined the importance of guaranteed monthly subscriptions—whether Rs. 5, Rs. 10, Rs. 25, Rs. 50, or Rs. 100—to ensure the long-term success of the college. “Many of you can afford this without feeling any financial strain,” she reassured, urging the community to act swiftly.

Donations, along with the first month’s subscription, could be sent to the Honorary Secretary of the Central Hindu College, Benaras, clearly marked for the “Kashmir College Fund.” One-time donations for initial expenses were also welcome, but regular support was essential for ensuring the stability of the college in the years to come.

Empowering Kashmir’s Youth

Since its establishment in 1901, the Hindu High School in Srinagar had provided quality education to over 600 boys, with two additional branch schools serving younger students. The Maharaja, eager to promote higher education in his State, had worked tirelessly with the Durbar to raise the status of the school to that of a second-grade college. Yet, without sufficient funds, this vision was under threat.

At the time, Kashmiri students who wished to pursue higher education had no option but to leave the Valley for places like Lahore. For those unable to afford this, higher education remained a distant dream, and the local administration struggled to fill top government positions with qualified Kashmiri candidates. Annie Besant’s appeal came at a crucial moment, urging the community to take control of their own educational destiny.

The Legacy of Annie Besant’s Appeal

Following Besant’s passionate plea, a local managing committee was formed in Srinagar to oversee the efforts to establish the college.  There is a mention of the same in her letter. The committee included prominent figures like Dr. Bal Krishna Kaul, Rai Sahab Daya Krishna Kaul (Private Secretary to the Maharaja), Bhavani Das (Revenue Officer), Swami Baldev Ji and H.A. Wilson (Principal of the Srinagar Hindu High School), with Rishivara Mukherji serving as Honorary Secretary.

The Maharaja gladly obliged, and in 1905, the foundation of the Hindu College was laid. Initially operating from two rooms near the present-day Secretariat building, the college was eventually shifted to its permanent site in 1911.

The institution, later renamed Sri Pratap College, became affiliated with Panjab University, Lahore, marking the beginning of higher education in Kashmir. Besant’s efforts, combined with the support of the Kashmiri Pandit community, ensured that the youth of Kashmir could now pursue their academic aspirations without leaving their homeland. The future of Kashmiri education had been secured, and the cultural and intellectual heritage of the Valley was preserved for generations to come.

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