All About Thomas Edward Ravenshaw, British Officer At Centre Of 156-Year-Old Odisha College Name-Change Row

A political dispute arose in Odisha after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan suggested renaming Ravenshaw University, named after British bureaucrat Thomas Edward Ravenshaw, should be changed.

A political row erupted in Odisha after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan suggested renaming the 156-year-old Ravenshaw University in the state. The comment has triggered debate over the historical context of the university’s name, which is derived from Thomas Edward Ravenshaw, a British bureaucrat who played a key role in establishing the institution in Odisha's Cuttack in 1868.

About Ravenshaw University 

Founded as Ravenshaw College in 1868, the institution was established just two years after the devastating Odisha Famine of 1866, also known as the "Na'Anka Durbhikhya" during which an estimated million people died of disease and starvation. Thomas Ravenshaw was the state's commissioner during the time of the devastating famine. The institution initially operated as a school with intermediate classes and six students. However, it was elevated to a full-fledged first-grade college in 1876 after Ravenshaw's proposal was accepted by the government of Bengal. Earlier it was known as Cuttack College until it was renamed Ravenshaw College in honour of TE Ravenshaw.

The institution was given the status of a full-fledged university in 2006 and currently hosts nearly 8,000 students across nine schools and 33 departments. It is the only public university in the state to have got NAAC A++ grade.

About Thomas Edward Ravenshaw

Thomas Edward Ravenshaw was born on July 1, 1827, to John Hurdis Ravenshaw --an officer in the British East India Compan-- and his first wife, Rose Melley Thuillier. Thomas worked for the Indian Civil Service as the Commissioner of Revenue and Circuit at Cuttack from 1870 to 1878.

He played a pivotal role in the establishment of educational institutes in Odisha and persuaded the British Government to set up a school in Cuttack. The government accepted the demand with the condition that a public contribution of Rs. 30,000 be deposited for the proposed college. Ravenshaw took up the matter as an object of personal interest and guaranteed the collection of the required amount and the institute was established as a school, which was later named after him to honour his legacy.

Ravenshaw is also credited for advocating for women’s education in Odisha. His initiatives led to the establishment of Cuttack Girl’s School which initially ran as a primary school, according to a report by Indian Express. In 1873, the name of this girls’ school was renamed as Ravenshaw Hindu Girl’s School.

Ravenshaw also joined hands with Dr. W.D. Stewart, the Civil Surgeon of Cuttack to expand medical education in the region. Ravenshaw recommended the sanction of the scheme which led the government to start an esteemed institution on an experimental basis. 

Ravenshaw also worked for the British East India Company. He died on 4 February 1914, at the age of 86.

What Did Pradhan Say?

Speaking to reporters in Cuttack on Saturday, Pradhan questioned the legacy of Thomas Ravenshaw and suggested the name of Odisha's one of the oldest educational institutes should be changed. "There is a need for a name change. What did Ravenshaw, after whom the university is named, do during the famine hurt Odias? It is a matter of pride," Pradhan during a programme on self-governance day in Cuttack."

Questioning Ravenshaw's legacy, the Union Minister further said, “Many Odia people were killed in the famine. The calamity had occurred due to the administrative failure of the British authorities including TE Ravenshaw. Why should the prestigious University of Odisha be named after the British Commissioner? The intellectuals of Odisha should think over this."

Controversy Over Pradhan's Remark

Pradhan's suggestion to rename Ravenshaw University has sparked a political row with the opposition BJD and Congress demanding an apology from him. Coming down heavily on Pradhan, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said that the Union Education minister lacks knowledge of the history of the state and the contribution of Ravenshaw to higher education in Odisha.

"It is a very unfortunate statement given by Pradhan under the cover of Odisha 'Asmita' (pride). He should have read a little history before doing so," Mohanty said.

Stating that he was against renaming Raveshaw University, former BJD MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik said he was ready for a debate over the matter. "Changing the name of Ravenshaw University does not change the character or increase the quality of education. The Union Education Minister should take steps to improve the quality of education," Patnaik said.

Congress also criticised Pradhan's remark and, in a statement, said that the BJP should change its mindset and refrain from its act of changing the name and colour of institutions. Congress MLA from Barabati-Cuttack Sofia Firdous also reacted to the remark and said that Ravenshaw is an emotion and instead of being bothered about trivial things like renaming it, steps should be taken to develop it into a world-class university.