The three-day celebrations to mark the 125th year of Government Sadiq Egerton (SE) College's establishment will begin here on April 28.

According to historian Prof Dr Muhammad Tahir, a middle school set up in early 1882 was soon developed into a high school the same year and was named as Upper Egerton School, after the name of then Punjab governor Lt Sir Robert Egerton (1877-1882). On April 25, 1886, it was upgraded as college on the recommendation of Bahawalpur state's education committee. Later, in 1895, the college was jointly named after Bahawalpur Nawab Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi IV and Sir Robert Egerton.

At the time of its establishment, there were two colleges only -- Government College and FC College, both in Lahore - in this part of undivided India. Unlike GC and FC, the education in SE College in those days was not only free but students were also given scholarships. Moreover, educational, boarding and lodging expenses of deserving students were borne by the state government.

In 1886, when intermediate classes were introduced, the college was shifted to the building of the existing government Jubilee Zanana Hospital, Mohallah Chah Fateh Khan. Later, when the number of students grew, the college was shifted to a newly-constructed (1890-95) building in Mohallah Kajalpura, adjacent to Griganj Bazaar in the heart of the old city, where the college functioned till 1911. The degree classes were introduced in 1892, but were suspended due to unknown reasons in 1900.

In 1905, after the coronation, Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi V began the construction of a building (outside Farid Gate) meant for this college and its attached hostel, which were completed in 1911 and 1906, respectively. The college was shifted from Mohallah Kajalpura to the new building, where now is housed the well-known Sadiq Dane (SD) High School.

The foundation stone (which is affixed at the entrance) of the present building of the SE College was laid by prime minister (working under the direct control of the United Kingdom) of defunct state Col A.J. Dring in 1950. Shifting to the present building from SD High School building took place in 1951. During that period a double-storey hostel called Qasim Hostel was raised for 150 boarders.

In 1957, the college building was extended and new classrooms, science laboratories and auditorium were added. College's centenary celebrations were held in 1986. A few years back, the college building was renovated with huge funds. Presently, the post-graduate block is nearing completion.

The degree classes again began in 1926 along with intermediate science classes. The BSc classes started in March 1952. The college for the first time was given the status of a post-graduate institution in 1970.

At the time of college's establishment in 1886, Babu Parson Kumar Bos, principal of Jagan Nath College, Dhaka, was appointed its first principal. Late Maulvi Din Muhammad, Maulana Jamiat Ali, Maulana Khalil Ahmed and Lala Ram Ratan had the honour of being the pioneer teachers of the college. Only seven students were admitted to the first year of its establishment while now the students' strength is over 4,000 with 150 teachers. As the college provided free education, boarding and lodging plus scholarships, it attracted students from across the country. Noted poet and writer Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi also studied here. Besides, the college has a long list of students who worked at important positions in military, judiciary and bureaucracy. In its early days, it was visited on different occasions by the personalities like Indian viceroys Lord Daffron and Reading, Maulana Syed Suleman Nadvi, Maulana Shabeer Ahmed Usmani, Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Sir Fazal Husain, Sir Muhammad Shafi, Dr Syed Zakir Husain (Indian president), Baba-i-Urdu Maulvi Abdul Haq, Nawab Sadiq, Nawab Bahawal Khan V, Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi IV and V, Sir Abdul Qadir and Dr Ishtiaq Husain Qureshi.

Sitting principal Rana Muhammad Siddique says since Bahawalpur needs another university, the SE College merits upgradation keeping in view its history and present strength of students.

CELEBRATIONS The three-day celebrations include a mushaira, a Seerat conference, a seminar on Khwaja Fareed and the college convocation on the concluding day, April 30.