MAYO ALUMNI

With the end of World War I the British fully realised that they could not hold on to India by force for long. Hence the need to develop allies amongst loyal princes and fanning religious animosities, which were the bane of India through centuries, became a major plank in their overall internal policy in India.

The Chamber of Princes was instituted in 1921 to meet annually to discuss mutual interests in the rapidly changing political scenario and environment. Over 100 princes attended the first meeting in Delhi. Amongst them were many old and then current boys of Mayo which at all times was populated by some young Maharajas who had ascended the gaddi early due to their father's early demise. The Chamber grew in size over the years. With the relevance of princes to continued British rule growing, Mayo could not remain unaffected. It now became an increasingly important bastion where 'controlled' education was imparted to the sons of aristocracy to inculcate and retain their loyalty to the Crown.

Amongst the highlights in this period were the visit of His Imperial Majesty King Emperor George V and Queen Mary To India in 1911, which made British India all agog with excitement.

Some old boys like Maharajas of Bikaner, Jodhpur, Dhar, etc. served with British forces in different parts of the world, whilst some others like Maharajas of Bikaner and Kishangarh represented India at the Peace Conference in London. Over Rs. 25,000/- was subscribed to the war fund by Mayo boys and staff.

The students soon came from all over India and even Muscat whose Sultan (the present Sultan's grandfather) sent his sons to Mayo. The older son later became Sultan and the younger brother was Defence Minister until his death in October 1996. Another testimony to the interest taken by the Royal Family in the welfare and prosperity of the Mayo College was the visit of HRH the Prince of Wales on the 28th November 1921.

An interesting event in 1928 was the first commercial flight between Delhi-Ajmer when the two-seater Gypsy Moth hired from Delhi flying club landed at the Mayo polo field (now Mayo Girls School). An estimated 30,000 strong crowd gathered to watch the plane. Subsequently, a sales agent of the Aircraft Co. arranged to bring a two seater plane to Ajmer for 2-3 days to give free demonstration flight to the Mayo students with the objective of arousing their interest in flying and perhaps buying some planes. Mayo College celebrated its Golden Jubilee (1875 – 1925) in March 1930.