The back of La Martinière Boys' College
This is one of India's fanciest public (fee-paying) schools. It was founded by an endowment from the wealthy eighteenth-century French adventurer Major-General Claude Martin (1735-1800), who was an officer in the East India Company's army. Martin acquired his large fortune while serving Asaf-ud-Daula, the nawab wazir of Awadh, and was reputedly the richest Frenchman in India. The main building was built in 1785 as Martin's country residence, but was not completed until 1802, two years after Martin's death on 13 September 1800.
La Martinière
The architecture of the Constantia building is a wild hotchpotch of styles. The lions' eyes are said to be illuminated with red lanterns.
La Martinière students
By Indian standards, the tuition here is very high. Most students come from wealthy backgrounds and are typically the sons of businessmen and higher-level government officials.
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