GUJARAT COMMERCE COLLEGE

This institution, popularly known as Gujarat College, is one of the oldest educational institutions in India, located near Ellis Bridge, Ahmedabad. It was founded in 1845 as a government-run educational institute and was established as a regular college in 1860, initially called Gujarat Providential College. It ceased operation in 1872 but was restarted in 1879 as Gujarat College under the Gujarat College Committee. The college expanded significantly through donations from Sardar Sir Chinubhai Madhavalal, leading to construction of buildings such as the Madhavlal Ranchodlal Science Institute, Sydenham Library, and George V Hall, inaugurated between 1912 and 1917. After Indian independence, further buildings were added, including a New Science Building in 1948 and a Tutorial Building in 1965. The college is now under the direct management of the Education Department of the Government of Gujarat and is affiliated with Gujarat University, having originally been affiliated with the University of Bombay from 1879. It houses departments of Arts and Science and offers a full-time degree course in drama. The college played a historic role in India's independence movement, including a visit by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920 and student participation in the Quit India Movement in 1942.