La Martiniere College, Lucknow

October 1, 1995

La Martiniere College, Lucknow

A commemorative postage stamp on the 150^th Anniversary of the La Martiniere College, Lucknow :

Issued by India

Issued on Oct 1, 1995

Design Credits :
Stamp, FDC : Based on the material supplied by La Martiniere College, Lucknow.
Cancellation : Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Postal Used

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 200 Paise

Overall size : 3.91 x 2.90 cms.

Printing size : 3.55 x 2.54 cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

Paper : Imported un w/m Adhesive Gravure Coated Stamp Paper in sheets of size 53.5 x 50.8 cms.

Number of stamps Printed : One Million

Number per issue sheet : 35

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press, Nasik

About :

La Martiniere College, Lucknow commands respect among the academic institutions of India. By 1995, it celebrated its 150^th anniversary and walked down memory lane to pay tribute to its remarkable founder: Major General Claude Martin. Adventurer; soldier; political advisor; self-taught architect; manufacture of arms, ammunition & coins; surveyor; entrepreneur; banker; botanist & patron of arts, Martin was a large-hearted millionaire who bequeathed a major part of his estates to the founding of schools at Lucknow, Calcutta & Lyon (France).
“Constantia”, the imposing eighteenth century edifice which is the heart of La Martiniere, was his country house. His bequest of “Constantia” for academic pursuit was followed by years of litigation till an order of the Supreme Court in 1841 laid down a scheme for the establishment of La Martiniere College, Lucknow. On 1^st October, 1845 the College began its work, starting with 70 boys. By 1995, it has over 1700 boys on its rolls. The Founder’s munificence has provided many boys, called Foundationers, with tuition, board & lodging & clothing at nominal fees. They share equal facilities with full paying boarders and day scholars. It has classes from Nursery to Intermediate where boys are educated through the medium of English. Admission to La Martiniere is eagerly sought.
1857 saw La Martiniere evacuated to the Residency. The boys and masters defended “The Martiniere Post” for almost five months against repeated onslaughts, while continuing their studies. It was a unique phenomenon which earned colours for the institution in 1938 bearing the legend ‘Defence of Lucknow 1857’.
The College has come a long way since then and, true to its tradition, it has produced worthy soldiers, sailors and airmen in India, before and after Independence. It has also produced engineers, doctors, educationists, administrators and sportsmen of note scattered over the globe. Its alumni look back on the Alma Mater with affection and pride.
“Labore et Constantia” is the motto the College adopted from Claude Martin’s personal motto placed on his coat of arms. The column or ‘Lat’ in front of “Constantia” is a memorial to him. Claude Martin left behind him a name, a legacy, a dream: La Martiniere College, Lucknow.