Kanya Maha Vidyalaya
| Founder | Lala Munshi Ram (later Swami Shraddhanand, Lala Dev Raj |
|---|---|
| President | |
| Principal | Atima Sharma |
| Location |
Jalandhar, Punjab, India 31°19′34″N 75°34′35″E / 31.325986°N 75.576262°ECoordinates: 31°19′34″N 75°34′35″E / 31.325986°N 75.576262°E |
| Campus | 27 acres (11 ha) |
| Nickname | KMV |
| Website |
kmvjla |
Chander Mohan senior journalist
Kanya Maha Vidyalaya (KMV) is a women's college located in Jalandhar, Punjab, India, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and diplomas. It has approximately 2500 students and a campus of around 27 acres (11 ha). The current president of the college is Chander Mohan senior journalist. The pioneer in women education and women liberation in India, Kanya Maha Vidyalaya is mentioned in the book Arya Dharam by an American scholar, W. Jones.
The school was established in Jullunder (Punjab, India) in 1890 (some sources say 1886) as Arya Kanya Pathshala, (translated as Arya Girls School) by Lala Dev Raj and Lala Munshi Ram (later Swami Shraddhanand). It was exclusively for girls, being the first school for girls in Jullunder which was 'not Christian' (literal translation from source).
Lala Dev Raj Ji took up the cudgels on behalf of the hapless, illiterate women relegated mercilessly to the background. He fought tooth and nail to educate women, to make them self reliant and independent. As Lala Dev Raj went from house to house to bring the girls to the Vidyalaya, he was rebuked and driven off by the parents, for whom women-education was an untenable idea. But Lalaji was an indomitable man. His school started with 7 or 8 female students in 1891 of whom 3 belonged to the families of the founders. To attract more students, he did not charge tuition.
The expenses were borne by the noble Arya Samajist families of the city who donated liberally for the cause. Lala Dev Raj Ji initiated a self sufficient system of education. He got his own text books prepared and trained the teachers. It was not affiliated to any university then. Hindi and Sanskrit were the primary subjects. Above all, the Vidyalaya was dedicated to the fiery spirit of nationalism. The degrees conferred on the students were not only certificates of education, but also of patriotic zeal and selfless sacrifice to the cause of freedom. The students of this august institution helped the famous martyr Bhagat Singh to escape when he was arrested by the British. The name of Sushila Devi, who died a martyrs death fighting against the British rule, is etched in the pages of history of the Vidyalaya for ever. When the great national leader, Lala Lajpat Rai was in jail in Dharamsala, the students of this institution sent him Rakhi. They led several processions against the British atrocities. The teachings of Gandhiji were fully incorporated by the Vidyalaya students. Following Mahatma's footsteps, the girls heartily spun the Charkha (spinning wheel), the symbol of the Swadeshi Movement. Khadi was worn by all and sundry associated with the Vidyalaya. In spite of strong British opposition, the National Flag was hoisted regularly. The students also took part in the significant 1929 session of the Congress where the resolution of Purna Swaraj was passed.
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