Fergusson College

Deccan Education Society, a renowned name in the educational firmament, is standing at a
significant milestone in its cherished history of service to the cause of education. Steeped in the
glorious tradition set by its illustrious founders – Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Gopal Ganesh
Agarkar, Vishnushastri Chiplunkar, Prin. Vaman Shivram Apte and Mahadeo Ballal Namjoshi –
and assiduously nurtured by succeeding generations of devoted Life Members, the Society is an
ideal blend of the traditional and the modern.

The seed was sown by the four young men in 1880 by starting New English School in Pune,
the name that subsequently set a trend far and wide. The school made rapid progress and within a
short time acquired widespread reputation for its high standards of education. These young men
(‘managers of the school’ as they were termed then) felt the need to take their efforts further to meet
the need for higher education.

24th October, 1884 is the day that marks the beginning of a journey that continues to this day
and would continue for eons to come. By founding the Deccan Education Society on what happens
to be one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar (‘Vijaya Dashsami’), these great
stalwarts embarked on a path that would, they were convinced, lead the masses to a new awakening
and salvation. They believed in education as the best means of social transformation. With faith and
determination, they steadfastly pursued their mission and the acorn of the yesteryears grew into an
oak. Time has vindicated their faith and vision.

In less than three months, the fledgling Society started what is today one of the most
illustrious, renowned and highly esteemed institutions – Fergusson College, even the mere mention
of which evokes reverential and proud feelings in the hearts of millions. It has achieved an iconic
status.

The activities of the Society soon picked up momentum, and one after another, other
institutions - schools and colleges – came to be started or brought within its fold.

The DES family was growing. There were significant landmark occasions in its life, when,
for instance, the Society decided - on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Fergusson College in
1935 - to start a technology institute on its campus, and later started Brihan Maharashtra College of
Commerce in 1943, only the second single-faculty commerce college in the then Bombay province.

Today, Deccan Education Society is a dynamic conglomeration of well over 45 educational
institutions, acknowledged as centres of quality education, with firm commitment to the pursuit of
excellence. The DES institutions – at Pune, Mumbai, Sangli, Satara and Wai range from preprimary schools to post-graduate and research institutions. They include primary, secondary and
higher-secondary schools, degree colleges in Arts, Science and Commerce, Management,
Agriculture and Law with facilities for post-graduate studies in several subjects, institutes of
technical and vocational education, and the recently started colleges of nursing and physiotherapy.