Mayo College is a public school founded by the 6th Earl of Mayo, who was Viceroy of India from 1869 to 1872. The school is located in Ajmer, in the state of Rajasthan, India. With a view to providing the leaders of the princely states with an education to British standards the British Raj built a school to give education to the Indian elite, particularly the princes and nobles of Rajputana. The idea for the college was proposed on May 28, 1869 by Colonel Walter. The school was founded in 1875 and Colonel Sir Oliver St John became its first Principal. The founder's intention was to create an Eton of India. The 1st Earl of Lytton, Viceroy of India, said in a speech on campus in 1879: Mayo College is one of the oldest Private Boarding Schools in India and is considered amongst the best boarding schools in the country,. Students refer to themselves as Mayoites and alumni as Old Boys. Mayo College has an exchange programme for students to travel overseas to enrich their studies. The school was founded by Richard Southwell Bourke, Earl of Mayo, and Viceroy of India from 1869 to 1872 known popularly in India as Lord Mayo. Bourke was born on February 21, 1822 and died on February 8, 1872.