Samaldas Arts College

Samaldas Arts College, also known as Samaldas College, is situated in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India. It was established in 1885 by Takhtsinhji, the Maharaja of Bhavnagar State, in memory of his Diwan Samaldas Paramananddas Mehta, making it one of the oldest colleges in western India. Initially affiliated to the University of Bombay, classes began in January 1885 in the Majiraj Girls High School building. The foundation stone for a dedicated building opposite Peel Garden was laid in November 1884 by James Furgusson, Governor of Bombay, and the building was opened in December 1886 by Lord Reay. This original building later became the Sheth J. P. Ayurveda College. In 1932, a new building was constructed on Vaghawadi Road under Krishnakumarsinhji, which later became the P. P. Institute of Science. In 1955, Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation stone for the college's current building. The college is now affiliated to Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University. Over the years, it has had numerous principals, including R. H. Gunion, J. N. Unwalla, and others, and has produced notable alumni such as Mahatma Gandhi, H. J. Kania, and several literary figures.