Building of Alexandra Native Girls High School (Code: 191) – Mounted and Wooden Frames

Manockjee Cursetjee, who was appointed Sheriff of Bombay twice, and had the distinction of being the first Indian to be appointed as fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society and member of the Masonic Lodge; strongly felt that only the education of the girl child would bring about the required change in society.  He started an English Medium School with 13 Indian pupils in his own residence, Villa Byculla, on 1st September 1863.

The Alexandra Native Girls’ English Institution was named after Princess Alexandra, then Princess of Wales who was renowned for her radiant beauty, humaneness and nobility

Though a staunch Zoroastrian, he threw open the portals of his school, despite opposition, to girls of all castes and communities. When the school shifted to Waudby Road, it was housed in the most impressive gothic building constructed by Khan Bahadur Muncherjee Cowasjee Murzban and became a landmark in the Fort area. The word ‘Native’ was later dropped and it was called, ‘The Alexandra Girls’ English Institution’.

Later, a new building was erected. But a part of the heritage structure – the beautiful arches were left untouched and stand tall even today.