Victoria High School, Poonch: A Forgotten Legacy of Modern Education in Jammu & Kashmir

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 In the historic town of Poonch lies one of the earliest institute of modern education in the region,
The Victoria Jubilee High School was established over a century ago.

A School Ahead Of Its Time

Archival evidence from the Administrative Report of Poonch Jagir (1906-1907) provides one of the earliest confirmed references to the school. 
At that time, the state had only 13 schools of which notably;
Victoria Jubilee High School in Poonch was the only institute offering education up to Entrance standard.
The rest were the village primary school
Beyond its early prominence, the growth of education around the High School reflected a broader transformation taking place in the early 20th century.
The administrative reports highlight an increasing public interest in education, indicated by
significant growth in enrollment and this also indicated that formal education was gradually becoming accessible beyond elite circles.

The High School stood at the centre of this change.It represented a shift toward institutionalized, modern education in what was otherwise a largely traditional setup. The introduction of extracurricular activities like cricket and football, along with provisions for books and furniture, shows that the school was not just academically focused but also aimed at holistic development.


Insights from the 1906–1907 Report

The report gives us a rare glimpse into the educational landscape of early 20th-century Poonch.

It records that:

  • The Sadar (central) High School had 10 teachers at the beginning of the year, increasing to 13 by the end
  • Student strength dropped from 210 to 153, largely due to the spread of malarial fever
  • Three students appeared for the Punjab University Entrance Examination, out of which one passed
The reports highlight how both the ambition and the challenges of education during the era where even maintaining attendance was a struggle due to health crises.

The report also reflects administrative developments

  • Pandit Bihari Datt Joshi was appointed as Private Secretary to the Raja
  • M. Ghazanfar Ali served as Acting Head Master during a transitional period

Expansion of Education in Poonch

One of the most important takeaways from the document is the rapid expansion of education:

  • Village schools increased from 12 to 17
  • Student enrollment in these schools rose significantly
  • Total educational expenditure reached Rs. 7941, a considerable investment at the time

Efforts were also made to improve quality:

  • Introduction of trained Head Masters
  • Addition of books and furniture
  • Inclusion of sports like cricket and football
  • Plans to introduce Physical Science and Object Lessons

Notably, no fees were charged in village schools, making education accessible to the wider population.

Historical Context and Legacy

Aliabad Sarai

Local accounts suggest that the establishment of the school may be linked to an interaction between Raja Baldev Singh and Lord Minto at Aliabad Sarai, reflecting the influence of colonial administration on regional education.

However, the journey of the school was deeply affected by the turbulent events of the mid-20th century. During the Siege of Poonch in October 1947, the institution ceased to function as the town came under attack. This marked the end of Victoria Jubilee High School as an active educational institution.

From Legacy to Continuity

The high school was closed down in oct 1947 when the Pakistani forces besieged Poonch Town.
The siege of Poonch Town was lifted in Nov 1948 when a column of the Indian Army had started from Jammu in Oct 1947 linked up with Poonch Town in Nov 1948.

 Following the ceasefire in January 1949 that became effective from 1 January 1949 by UNO, the Government High School Poonch was started in Jan 1949 was started, initially operating and functioning in the old buildings of Victoria Jubilee Memorial High School. Over time the new Govt High School was shifted to old building of Intermediate College in Poonch. Its now called Givernment Higher Secondary School Poonch. It is still housed in that old College Building.

Location is depicted below

Government Higher Secondary School for Boys

If you are from Poonch and have photographs or stories related to the old Victoria High School building, consider sharing them. Preserving such local histories is crucial for understanding our collective past.
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