Rajaram College

Rajaram College, located in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, is a government college affiliated with Shivaji University. Established in 1880 by the Maharaja of Kolhapur, it is the oldest college in the city and one of the most renowned institutions in Maharashtra. Initially affiliated with Mumbai University and later Pune University, it became affiliated with Shivaji University after its establishment in 1962. The college played a significant role in founding Shivaji University, and its principal, Dr. A. G. Pawar, became the university's first vice chancellor. The college offers junior college courses (11th and 12th grade), undergraduate degrees (BSc, BA) in science, humanities, languages, and arts, as well as postgraduate programs such as MA in Psychology and Home Science, and MSc in Analytical Chemistry. It celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2005. The campus spans about 75 acres, featuring 13 independent buildings including a 2000-capacity auditorium and the Dr. Balkrishna Library, which holds more than 125,000 volumes, some rare and out of print. The college has produced many notable alumni, including scientists, politicians, writers, and civil servants, and has had distinguished teachers such as historian Dr. Balkrishna and writer Narayan Sitaram Phadke.