Bengal National College 

On 15.Aug.1906, Bengal National College, with Sri Aurobindo as its first Principal, started functioning from 191/1, Bowbazar street. The Building was taken on a lease for one year. The monthly rent was Two hundred Rupees.

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Growth of National Education

In June 1907, the Bengal National College, was shifted to 164 & 166 Bowbazar street, due to shortage of space in the earlier location. The Building was taken on a lease of five years at a monthly rent of four hundred and fifty Rupees.

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National Education

National education was another item to which Sri Aurobindo attached much importance. He had been disgusted with the education given by the British system in the schools and colleges and universities, a system of which as a professor in the Baroda College he had full experience. He felt that it tended to dull and impoverish and tie up the naturally quick and brilliant and supple Indian intelligence, to teach it bad intellectual habits and spoil by narrow information and mechanical instruction its originality and productivity. The movement began well and many national schools were established in Bengal and many able men became teachers, but still the development was insufficient and the economical position of the schools precarious. Sri Aurobindo had decided to take up the movement personally and see whether it could not be given a greater expansion and a stronger foundation, .....

Extract from: CWSA > Autobiographical Notes > Political Life, 1893-1910 > Page 58

Sri Aurobindo in addition to being Principal also taught various subjects.

When he would lecture in the class they would hang upon his lips - it is said even many professors came in to listen - and they found in his informal, unacademic way of teaching something which gripped their hearts, illumined their intelligence, and fired their imagination. He taught most by appearing to teach the least. His presence was an irresistible inspiration and his soft, warm words, shot with flashes of intuition and insight, were evocative and quickening

From: Rishabhchand > 'His Life Unique' > Page 225

The Resignation

On 2.August.1907, learning that he was about to be arrested in the 'Bande Mataram Sedition Case', and wishing to spare the Bengal National College any embarrassment, Sri Aurobindo resigned the post of principal of that institution.

Support Meeting

On 22.Aug.1907, the students and teachers assembled to record their deep regret at his resignation.. of the high office which he had filled with such conspicuous ability and so much personal sacrifice during the first year of the existence of the college.

Parting with Beloved Principal

When the boys of the College and school came up to their beloved Principal one by one, bowed at his feet and garlanded him, it was a sight for the Gods to see. This touching manifestation of the feeling, roused in the hearts of the boys at the sudden shock of parting with their beloved Principal under such peculiar circumstances, brought tears to the eyes of all present, as it revealed the true inwardness and sanctity of the bond of relationship that binds the pupil to the teacher

The teachers then requested him on behalf of the boys to speak to them a few words of advice. In response to the desire of the boys to hear from him, he delivered, in a voice choked with emotion, a soul-stirring address...

From CWSA > Bande Mataram > Page 1173: 'The Dawn and Dawn Society’s Magazine'