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Passing through the gates of India’s Mayo College feels like traveling back 150 years. Once exclusive to princes, the school now trains a new generation of elites. Its history rings with grandeur—its first student, the son of the Maharajah of Alwar, arrived in 1875 in a state carriage, flanked by 300 attendants.
“We aim to maintain certain traditions of the past,” said Saurav Sinha, the principal. “But only as long as it enriches our culture and helps our students remember who they are and where they come from.”
Often called the “Eton of the East” and modeled after England’s top boarding schools, Mayo was established by the British viceroy, Earl of Mayo, to strengthen ties between Indian royalty and London. Today, among its 850 pupils aged nine to 18, only a handful are descendants of royalty. The rest are children of ministers, business magnates, diplomats, and senior military leaders.
Tuition reaches around $11,500 annually—more than five times India’s per capita income of approximately $2,300. This makes Mayo one of a select dozen elite boarding schools in India, contrasting sharply with the nearly 1.5 million other schools across the country, many of which lack basic resources like computers.
Many families consider this investment worthwhile. “I chose to send my two sons here because it prepares them for anything,” said Abhishek Singh Tak, an event organizer from Jodhpur and a Mayo alum. Standing in front of the school’s marble-fronted main building, reminiscent of the Taj Mahal, he added, “Everything I am today started here.”
His sons, Nirbhay, 10, and Viren, 17, spend nine months a year in this luxurious environment. The younger dreams of attending Oxford, while the older hopes to study at the University of Delhi or Sciences Po in France with aspirations of becoming a diplomat.
While Mayo still maintains a strong military discipline reputation, recent years have seen a shift toward prioritizing student well-being and confidence. Headmaster Sinha balances deep respect for tradition with a commitment to keeping the school forward-looking and responsive to a rapidly changing world.
The campus spans 76 hectares of ancient trees and lush lawns—an oasis amid Rajasthan’s desert landscape—and students have little free time, with early mornings and curfews at 9:30 p.m. “We’re so busy I don’t have time to think about my family,” joked Arrin, who, after moving from Mumbai, appears happy and comfortable. “I miss home-cooked food the most,” he added, standing perfectly straight with hands behind his back as required by school rules.
Recognizing the initial difficulties for newcomers, Mayo has hired psychologists and increased the number of female teachers and support staff. “Our goal is to create a happy environment where students feel free to explore and achieve their goals,” said Rajesh Soni, the head of junior school. “We do everything possible to ignite their curiosity.”
Parents praise the results. “My son has gained incredible confidence and independence,” said Daakshi Bhide, a 38-year-old Mayo English teacher whose 10-year-old attends the school.
Each morning, students dress in white shirts and navy blazers for assembly, where they pray and discuss current events. The curriculum is broad and taught in English, covering science, foreign languages, literature, international relations, art, and music. Afternoons are dedicated to sports with offerings like polo, golf, swimming, shooting, and tennis. Football has recently eclipsed cricket as the campus favorite.
Facilities include an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a nine-hole golf course, and stables with 60 horses. Arrin aims to become a professional footballer, dreaming of following in Ronaldo’s footsteps. About one-third of students plan to pursue higher education abroad—mainly in Britain, Australia, or the United States. Many, like 17-year-old Advaya Sidharth Bhatia, want to contribute to India’s prosperity by starting businesses and helping their country grow.
Headmaster Sinha emphasizes that Mayo must respect its heritage while always looking ahead. For many students, this blend of tradition and modernity is exactly why they’re here—preparing for a future filled with opportunity.
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