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A peek into the oldest college in Chennai — which is also the oldest engineering institution in the country and also among the oldest institutions in the world
The road lined with Ashoka trees leads right down to the domed, brick-red building that has been the face of Anna University for many decades. The marble floor ascends through a stairway into the office of M. Sekar, the dean. His workspace extends into a balcony with a panoramic view of the campus, right below the large clock and a name that brings fond memories to generations of engineers: ‘College of Engineering, Guindy'.
Towards the end of the 18th Century as more land began to come under the East India Company rule, the need for surveying them to assess revenue grew. Due to the harsh climatic conditions, Indians had to be trained to conduct these surveys, which led to the establishment of the Madras Survey School. It was started on May 17, 1794, on the suggestion of Michael Topping, the earliest astronomer and geographical and marine surveyor in Madras. The school was the first of its kind in the country.
“This survey school began in Fort St. George,” says Sekar, “There were no instruments or ways to survey the land back then. The British needed the locals to learn these techniques to help them in their work.”
The first batch of surveyors were then taken in as apprentices of the East India Company for about seven years. From 1836 to 1846, the surveyors who had passed out of this school were given higher posts in an office that later became the city's Public Works Department (PWD).
Owing to the demand for civil engineers at that time, the school, though recognised as early as 1842, became the Civil Engineering College around 1860 and the campus was shifted to Kalasmahal, the palace of the Nawab of Carnatic in Chepauk. The first department, on the authorisation of the Government, was started in 1861. Commissioned officers and civilians began to be trained as engineers.
The college evolved into a primary technical institution in the Madras Presidency and came to be called as College of Engineering (CEG) in 1894. Due to the lack of space, it moved out from Chepauk to a site south of the Adyar River and Guindy Park. This land of 200 acre or more was less than two miles from the Saidapet Railway station. So, in 1920, the College of Engineering moved to its present location, the oldest part of which is now popularly referred to as the ‘red building' or the dean's office.
The history of this institution has also stood the test of time but it is through the memories of former students that it comes alive. “We've got a strong alumni association,” says Sekar, “It was started by our first Indian principal Nagarathnam Iyer in 1925. The CEG was an independent college till 1978, after which is became the principal seat of the Anna University.”
T. Adhiraj, who passed out as a civil engineer in 1951, recalls: “There were only five engineering colleges in the Madras Presidency when I joined and the selection was based on district-wise communal population ratio. This form of selection was used till 1956 when the states were reorganised. There were only about 35 odd engineering colleges back then and seats were reserved for those coming from states which had no engineering college. We had only five streams then: civil, electrical, telecom, highways and mechanical engineering.”
In 1940, two women students were admitted into the college for the first time. But Sekar points out that it was only in the early 1970s that a women's hostel was constructed. Adhiraj remembers the times when he woke up for the 6.30 am class. “In the 1940s, the college was considered far away from the city, with only two buses connecting it; 5B and 19M. There was a huge mix of students from all the southern states and most of us stayed in the hostel, which was packed. The college was mainly a residential unit and we had just one girl who studied with so many boys,” he laughs.
As the vice-captain of the boxing team, Adhiraj was a part of CEG at a time when they were champions in inter-collegiate sports. “We were the reigning champions in football and hockey and also had a good boxing team. Usually, we'd compete with Madras Christian College and Madras University. But after a riot broke out one evening in YMCA, boxing was banned in schools and colleges across the city.”
Integrated courses, outdoor sports, theatre and quiz clubs — umpteen memories were made for him within the campus those four years. “In those days, jobs were many and engineers were few. After Independence, there were major expansion projects taking place and as soon as we graduated, offer letters came home. The salary wasn't great but we got jobs that rebuilt India. Civil engineering was the best subject to study in the 1950s. Life was tough, but it was colleges like CEG that produced real engineers.
Keywords: College of Engineering, Anna University
I am proud to be called Guindiyan even today.I had studied Electronics &Telecommunication Engineering (ETC)and belong to five year integrated course from 1965-1970. There was only one ETC course at Guindy college with student strength of around 30 only in the whole of Tamil Nadu state.Later ETC was started slowly in other engg colleges in Tamil nadu
It was wonderful five years study. I never felt any difficulty in passing all five years without any arrears and obtaining first class marks in each year.I will say that credit must go to all professors and lecturers who had taught me nicely and fundamentals
.Mathematics dept was excellent. I had scored in Mathematics high distinction in all four years and centum in second year.
I was fortunate enough to be taught Net works analysis by Prof.Hegde who was also principal of college at that time.
I wish the college revert to its original name as College of Engineering Guindy.
V.Ambarani
I was a student of this famous institution in the late 60's and right after my graduation came to the USA and settled here. In December '11 I visited Chennai and went by the campus. When I saw the article I took a copy of the newspaper and only yesterday I came back to the USA and did a google on the article. It was nice to see the picture of the clock tower and read the article again. Lots of CEG students are in the USA and for that matter all over the world. Thanks for publishing the history of the CEG. My original name was Balasubramanian and if any one remembers there were three year degree programs offered in those years and I studied Communications Engineering under professor Hegde.
I am proud to be an alumni of this august institution. My grandfather studied at this college in the 1920's and went on to work as a Chief Executive Engineer at the PWD. He also taught at the university since PWD and CEG had a tie up where practitioners in the field of Civil were required to teach a class for about two years in the college. The girls hostel was first opened at Guindy campus in 1973 - 1974 since ours was the largest batch of ladies approx 15 or so in the early 1970's. Prior to that the ladies hostel was in Taramani (now east coast road I think). There were no direct buses from the north side of Madras, so I had to take a bus to Egmore station / Park station; take the electric train to Saidapet and take 5B to college. After a couple of years 23C was introduced (direct bus), but the schedule was infrequent. I can go on and on... But all in all, happy memories and long friendships... I can now quite honestly tell my children, I walked a lot to go to college !!!
Kind Regar
I was a very naughty 1981 CEGian in the hostel.The wonderful moments and
memories of 5 years i would like to carry even to heaven after i leave
this earth.I am not finding anything more than this to express my
feelings of my tenure in CEG.
Great to read the article on Guindy Engineering College. I graduated in '86
(Electrical), my brother in '90 (Production), and my mom in '60
(Telecommunications). At the time my mother attended Guindy, she was the only
woman on campus for quite some time. It was nice to read the comments as well --
Rohit Hegde's dad Prof K.S.Hegde taught my mom and R.N.Sujir's dad, Prof V.N.Sujir
taught me and was head of the electrical engineering department when I went there.
Guindy had some great professors like Dr S.Natarajan, Dr B.Ilango, Dr Abdullah Khan,
Dr Kesavamurthi, and many more.
I am a proud CEGian.I passed out in 1955 in Tele-communucation.My best period of life was spent at CEG with Col.Paul as principal, K.S.Hegde as professor,Dr.Sukumaran as Eletrical professor & other equally well qualified staff We were trained not only to be good engineers but also to be good citizens & rollmodel to younger generation of engineers. I thank CEG & will ever remain greateful. hdramlal
Simply love our college :) proud to be a CEGian :)
Drove thru the AU road this morning after 12years, and reading this article, What a coincidence...... Proud to be a CEGian.. 1995-1999 batch Mechanical Engineering. Want that Life back.....
I always had and I all ways have great regards and fond memory regarding our outstanding engineering institution. It not only uplifted thousands and thousands of students and their families but we contributed lots of positive,wonderful and creative solutions to various engineering problems and helped the world in various aspects of life. We are proud to be a part of this constructive and productive phase of this cycle and we all hope that we will make significant contributions to the world over the next two hundred years and beyond.Let our CEG long live thousands and thousands of years.
11I was a student of Engineering College, Guindy in 1943 to 1946. Memories of our association with our almameter are cherishing. We were about 120 students in our batch. Mr. J.J. Rudra was our Principal and Mr. K.Sitaraman was our Professor in Civil Engineering. Our batch consists of boys and girls from all parts of the state and from all languages, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Sinhalese,Kashmiri, Anglo Indian, Burma evacuees and we lived like one family without any distinction. Our batch was distinct as it has two girl students. All our batch mates had occupied top positions in Central and State Governments and in major industries and contributed substantially to their development. I,M.L. Swamy,ended up as the 1st Engineer-in-Chief of the Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, General Manager NHPC, Consultant World Bank and USAID. We are proud of our almameter. I am 86 years now. I still remember my great teachers and am grateful to and proud of them. May the Anna University live long!
I attended '82 - '86 (Mechanical Engineering) and I remember those years fondly. I am extremely proud and grateful to the staff and faculty of CEG for the excellent education I obtained here. The foundations, both academic and extra-curricular, instilled in me at CEG made it much easier to meet the challenges of the future.
This article brings back great memories about the 5 years I spent at CEG. I knew the old campus was in Chepauk, because that is where my grandfather graduated from. I never knew the full history of this famous institution. Thanks for writing this article.
This article really kindles my EverGreen Memories of CEG in 1982to1986.I could remember smiling face of our wonderful Principal Prof.W.P.VijayaRaghavan and our energetic HOD Dr.K.N.Balasubramaniam(Industrial Engg.)who made our life meaningful.I am very proud to be CEGian.Recently our 1986 passed out batch had our Silver Jubilee re-union earlier this year.-Prof.R.KANNAN,1982-86
Proud to be a CEGian. Best days of my Life.
Proud to be CEGian. The Photo itself speaks about CEG.....
The red building it self enough to attract students. I , myself was planning to join PSG , but end up in CEG after I saw the red building during counselling . Great place and I feel home whenever I visit there.( 2007 graduate)
Really I am very proud to be CEG-ian. Would love to live that college life again.
Best years of my life. 1973-78. Also grew up inside the campus as my dad (1945 graduate) taught and later became Principal of Guindy. Spent almost 20 years inside the campus - longer than anywhere else that I have lived so far!! My brother also studied here. Fond memories.
I am proud to be an Alumunus of the Great Institution. CEG was an
indelible mark in my life, that has helped me through my career and
business across India and abroad too.Still treasure the Wonderful moents
we had between 1978-83.Thanks Anusha for the article
CEG is the best. 1975 batch had the best time both in education as well in enjoying school live. This is one of the best only due to CEG's grooming and teachers' willingness to assist any student in need with an open heart. The williness to share whatever we learnt among students created life bonding among us. Some of us are in the highest positions in Central Government, State Government, Private sectors all due to what we learnt and applied in CEG. This was the same sentiment late Sadasivaswamy my father, a graduate of 1946 had. Dean Sekar is a witness of what has happened/ is happening since at least 1975 as he is glued at CEG, a very lucky guy, with the best institution.CEG is the reson for what I am today, professionally and in personal life, and I am sure that all of share the same. All good and not so good times during college days are instilled in me, including interaction with all teachers. CEG is the best based on my experience at IIt, and Universlty of Pennsylvania, USA.
CEG is an institution beyond compare.My father graduated in 1946 and continued to teach Electrical Engg there till 1986(with brief tranfers to other institutions in between) and I graduated in ECE in 1975.Great institution,great staff,great memories and the college helped boys become men..Long live CEG
I am an aluminus of this reputed Institution during 1978-83. The College days are memorable and are remembered as the days when 'milk and honey flowed' I was a hard worker and was able to stay within the top 2% of my class in EEE. I stayed in the campus hostel for 5 years. We just paid Rs.147.50 for room rent and electricity combined for a year of stay! We had separate rooms. The messes were very good and we got sumptuous unlimited meals 3 times a day + an evening snack with coffee. Mess bill averaged like Rs.300/- per month... Unimaginable now.. I dont know if the standards are maintained now but I know for sure that the charges are at least 10 times more now! The student intake has increased tremendously now during my last visit I found the campus very crowded at all times. The College needs to expand a lot to cater to its new educational ventures.
I am proud to be associated with this Great institution.You can guess..
My dad studied Civil Engg.1935-1940. My elder brother did Mech 1968-73.
I did ECE 1970-75 & my younger brother did Mech,Engg. 1972-1977 from this institution. We all have Good old memories about CEG.
Even now whenever I pass thro' CEG, I get a feeling which is very difficult to describe..
Thank u, Anusha and I congratulate u for speading the glory of this Great institution, CEG. I am a proud CEGian and enjoyed every moment of my 5years stay in campus between 1978-1983.This is were I got not only the degree but also the life education.My father did his LCE course in the same institution. My daughter studied between 2005-2009. I am proud that three generation of our family could get the opportunity to be CEGians. I feel very happy.
It is a wonderful almameter. My Dad studies here in 1954 - 58. I studied here in 1984-88. Now my son is studying here. Great memories of a great college.
I am proud and previleged to be a graduate of this great institution; Years 1964 to 1969 of memorable times of learning, fun of going to college, friendships that will last forever, Teachers who showed what dedication to imparting education meant, values that we acquired and keeps us humane till today. The motto was (am sure is now as well) Labour Omnia Vincit which I believe meant "Hard Work Conquers All".
Memories come flooding back. I graduated in 1973 after 5 years at this great institution. Ours was the first batch in the semester system where we had exams twice a year.
Proud to be CEGian
Feeling extremely happy to study now in ceg
nice article which tells the history about our college :) I love you CEG !!!
The article was quite informative. Will someone associated with this institution throw light on
the name 'Guindy'? How did it come about? Was Guindy a locality from the beginning or
was it a local or foreign name? One feels sad that while the syllabi have expanded the
quality of teaching has suffered in this premier institution.
i dont think i have positive memories to recall. i passed out in 2008.
for me the biggest disappointment is that the college never really
cared about students who were shy and afraid to interact with others
like me. Coming from a rural background, the college infact aggravated
my seclusionary tendencies and the teachers never really cared about
that. I still wonder why it happened in the wrong way for me. I am
sorry if i have spoiled the mood, but some truths are bitter. The job
of an institution like CEG is not just to manufacture students who are
going to be vital cogs in a machine, but it must also take care of
their interpersonal development, self esteem, etc..
Nice Article bringing back a flood of memories.The 1956-60 batch, to
which I belong,was the last of the four year courses.The Principal
then was Maj.Morley.We celebrated in a big way the Centenary of the
Madras University during this time.
I still remember working with diode and triode valves in the telecom
Lab.
Great Institution.Proud to be an Alumni
Vaidyanathan
my dad and me , both are proud to be mechanical engineers from CEG
graduating in 1975 and 2010 respectively....
Nice Article bringing back a flood of memories.
CEG'ian and proud
three things that make me proud -my parents my college and my family thank god for being an alumnus of the great CEG
er.gopinath/e1 civil/1981
Proud to be an CEGian..!! :-)
Nice article.while reading this ,nostaliga drives me back to my college
life ,those days we felt very proud for being hostler and stayed inside
that campus for four evergreen years ,apart from academics tat campus
taught me so many other things for my life.I still visit tat campus once
in a month...I Feel very happy for being a alumni of Annauniversity
CEG - my second home i would say. Got the opportunity to do a 5yr degree. If there is a time-machine i would love to go back to my college.
I feel privileged to be an Alumnus of this great Institution. This
Institution has given me everything in my life. It taught me about life
and it taught me the importance of education. After my marriage the
first place i took my wife is to my CEG campus and i was very proud to
show her the college, the classrooms and other fecilities.
hi kavi,
enjoy this article about your college
-appa
No doubt that CEG has a great past, the current management needs to take
tangible action to ensure that the glories get carried forward.
I am previlaged to do my part time B.E in this college between 1974 to 1977. First batch of Part time B.E classes started in 1973 with a great demand.In those days a min of 900 will appear for personnel Interview but only 90 were selected.Many of my class mate even continued with masters.Part time classes were only for Mechanical,Electrical and civil.
It was a big milestone for my carrier and I still continue working in Middle east/Africa.
I made one of my son to do BE in Bangalore,MS in Cornel University-US and his MBA in Bangalore IIM, presently employed in London.
I am privileged to have an engineering degree from this college.
I feel proud to be an alumnus of this college. It brought virtual visuals of 1987-1991 CEG life. Thanks for the article
Good to read about my Alma mater!!! Brings back few nostalgic moments to
memory, associated with this building.
I am pursuing my final year in CEG. I felt so proud on reading this
article. Emotions are running high now as only 6 months remain in my
life in CEG, technically of cource!
Very informative article! Really proud to be part of such a reputed institution.
Very nice.
Loved it.
I am very proud to be an alumini of the collecge of Engineering Guindy. It is the finest institution with heritage that every alumini should be proud of.
The picture alone takes me back in time (36 years). Being a Civl Engg. graduate in 1975, I am quite proud to be a part of this great institution. My memories are - Great Professors ! Some of them exemplary. May I add that the 1975 Civil Engg batch has produced several Chief Engineers in TamilNadu State, Railway board Member, several Professors / Head of Dept in various colleges in India.
It was good piece about one of the greatest institutions in the
country. I am proud to have been associated with it.
It would be great if you could also come up with something about
Madras Institute of Technology..
proud to be a CEGian..thank you anusha parthasarathy
Nice Article. I really feel privileged to be an Alumnus of this Great Institution.I thank God for this opportunity.
Good old memories were flashing thro' my mind after reviewing the nice article on CE, Guindy. Second year of Engineering in early sixties (BE integrated course) was really challenging when you have to go thro' all three major areas of Engineering namely Civil, Mechanical and Electrical apart from Engineering physics and chemistry. A great Engineering institution indeed.
It does bring back memories. I may have it wrong, but
before moving to the present site in 1920, the college
was housed in Saidapet in what was the Teacher's Trai-
ning College (at least in the 60s).
i am a classmate of adhiraj and graduated in electrical and now settled in USA. mention of his name brought back many old memories of the great time we had.120 students were selected for Guindy each year at that time.DR J J Rudra was our first principal.
my coll, my pride..
You do not pass out. You graduate.
Proud to be CEG'ian :))
I am an alumnus of CEG from the 1970s. I am not sure when the four year degree program came into existence. We had to study for FIVE years to get an undergraduate degree. So, it may be incorrect to say that Mr. Adhiraj was on campus for only four years.
The information about the CEG,guindy is very nice.It takes back my memories in the sixties, when every bright student from the state wants to study engg.course in CEG,guindy. It is one of the best engg. institution,in India...
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