History

Evolution of SKV

Opening Day 28th October 1956

The first President of India, His Excellency Dr. Rajendra Prasad, in the presence of His Highness Maharaja Jiwaji Rao Scindia, Her Highness Maharani Vijaya Raje Scindia and first lady Mrs. Rajvanshi Devi Prasad, officially declared Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya open. The Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya origin can be traced back to the year 1956. The group photograph taken on this occasion shows about 40 students, including some boys and day scholars, and an impressive strength of about a dozen teachers.

The historical timeline of SKV lists the two older Scindia Princesses, Padma (Akka) Raje and her younger sister, Usha Raje as the first two students to enroll on 1 August 1956 when classes started, followed by 29 others. Of the total of 31, only six were boarders. Two grand-daughters of President Rajendra Prasad, Shobha and Padma, were also among the earliest students.

The history of SKV dating back to 1956 states that when SKV, as the school is fondly known, premier all-girls' boarding schools were restricted primarily to the convents run by Irish or German nuns. In post-independence India, education for girls entered a new phase with the evolution of SKV. It was to meet this need for an all-rounded Indian education stressing on Indian values, religions and culture, to preserve the legacy and traditions of SKV that H H Maharani Vijaya Raje Scindia founded Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya with.

It automatically became one of the best schools in India and the sister institution to The Scindia School for boys, founded in 1897 by HH Maharaja Madhavrao Jayajirao Scindia in the Fort above the historic city of Gwalior. Her Highness Vijaya Raje Scindia once said, " I felt the Indian woman was drifting away from her valuable heritage. The progress of science along with the industrialization it brought, changed the old pattern of family life. Because of economic conditions, Indian women had to come out, (and) also add to the family income. I believe in the old adage, 'the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world'. I wanted a school to strengthen those hands. My dream was to start a school which would serve both these ends".

Since then, SKV’s contributions to education and society have been notable. The various events at SKV celebrate the rich history and evolution of Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya Girls school every year. Being one of the CBSE affiliated schools, SKV has been deemed through years for its meticulous dedication towards academics and holistic curriculum. Parents looking for boarding school admissions may connect with us.

Fit for a Princess…

H H Vijaya Raje Scindia had special concern for the SKV girls, teachers and staff whom she treated as her extended family. Every time there was a spiritual occasion or a festival, sweets like kheer, rabdi or laddoos were sent to Sudha Tai, the matron-cum-kitchen in-charge to be distributed during dinner or afternoon tea. Sometimes, she sent kharvas, a sweet pudding made from the milk of newly-calved cows, fragrant with nutmeg, cardamom and saffron. All these came in gleaming silver salvers. She would later make it a point to enquire if they enjoyed the sweets and what else might they like to have!

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