The short answer
Rajkumar College: what visitors should know first
Only if you like colonial architecture and school history. It is a working school, so access is by permission, usually during limited office hours; most visitors will see the campus from the gate or road.
History and context
The story behind Rajkumar College
The foundation stone was laid in 1868, and the college was formally opened in 1870 by the Governor of Bombay, Sir Seymour Fitzgerald. It was founded by Richard Harte Keatinge to educate the sons and relations of the princes and chiefs of Kathiawad. It celebrated its sesquicentenary in 2020, and a girls' college was introduced in 2011.
The campus covers about 28 acres (about 11.6 hectares), and the school is affiliated with CBSE.
Useful facts
Rajkumar College facts at a glance
- Location
- Gymkhana Road, Rajkot
- Experience type
- Heritage school campus
- Known for
- Founded 1868 for the chiefs of Kathiawad
- Built
- Foundation stone 1868; opened 1870
- Visitor note
- Entry is by permission from the school office
Why it matters
Why Rajkumar College is worth your time
Rajkumar College shows how the princely states of Kathiawar prepared their heirs for dealing with the British Raj. It was designed as a school for the sons and relations of the princes and chiefs of the region, and it remains one of India's oldest schools of its kind.
Its alumni include the cricketer Ranjitsinhji, the ruler Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur and the cricketer Ajay Jadeja. For visitors interested in colonial-era India, it is a rare institution that still does what it was founded to do.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The campus
Colonial buildings and avenues on a campus of about 28 acres.
- 02
Princely education
One of India's oldest chiefs' colleges, founded for Kathiawar rulers' sons.
- 03
Famous alumni
Cricketer Ranjitsinhji and other notable figures studied here.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Treat Rajkumar College as a heritage drive-by that can become a short visit if permission is granted. Go in the morning and ask at the office or main gate whether visitors are allowed in. If so, walk or drive slowly along the main avenue to see the colonial buildings, which a travel guide describes as Gothic in character, set on a campus of roughly 11 hectares.
If you cannot go in, look at the frontage and compound from Gymkhana Road and continue to the Race Course, which is close by. Keep in mind that this is a school full of children, so photography should be discreet and respectful.
The college has a long cricket and polo tradition and counts the cricketer Ranjitsinhji among its former students, which is a nice detail to look for in the school's history. Even without going in, the visit gives you a sense of how princely states educated their heirs under British rule.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Ask at the school office whether visitors are allowed
- Visit in the morning, within office hours
- Keep photography discreet, as it is a working school
- Do not expect a formal tour
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Gymkhana Road, central Rajkot
- Time needed
- 30 to 45 minutes
- Best time
- Morning during office hours; November to February
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The campus is large and mostly level, with lawns and shaded avenues, but it is a working school and access beyond the gate is by permission. Walking distances inside can be considerable, so ask whether a vehicle can enter.
- Tickets and access
- Visitors usually need permission from the school office, which a guidebook lists as morning hours only. This is a school, so access can change; check with the school or the official site before you go.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Rajkumar College
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The campus is large and mostly level, with lawns and shaded avenues, but it is a working school and access beyond the gate is by permission. Walking distances inside can be considerable, so ask whether a vehicle can enter.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Can tourists visit Rajkumar College?
Usually only with permission from the school office, in limited morning hours. Check locally before going.
When was it founded?
The foundation stone was laid in 1868 and the college was formally opened in 1870.
Who studied there?
Notable alumni include the cricketer Ranjitsinhji and Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
