The Indian Institute
The Indian Institute was founded in Oxford on May 2nd, 1883 but did not open until 14th October 1884.
According to its founding documents, the main object of the institute "will be to give effective and trustworthy teaching in all subjects that relate to India and its inhabitants, to promote and encourage Indian research and to concentrate and disseminate correct ideas of Indian matters by united effort and action as well as to draw together the selected candidates for the Civil Service, who are mostly resident at Oxford, and the native students from India."
The opening of the institute was accompanied by a military parade which included the University Rifle Corps. The Prince of Wales was also in attendance.
The decor of the building has an Orientalist design that attempts to combine the traditional limestone used in many Oxford buildings with references from Indian philosophy and culture.
More information on the Indian Institute at Oxford can be found on the Oxford and Empire webpage, here.