Shri Shivaji Preparatory Military School was started in June 1932 and the formal opening ceremony of the School was solemnized on 20th September, 1933 by H.E.Sir Frederick Sykes, the Governor of Bombay. In the course of his address His Excellency said, After the great war, it was concluded that nothing could be more appropriate than commencement of school in the Shivaji Memorial Monument and today I have the privilege of inaugurating the School”.
The Shivaji Memorial, as whole, has its origin in the desire of the people of Maharashtra to commemorate the magnificent Services performed by the Marathas in the course of the Great War (1914-18), and it was, I think a very happy thought to associate this monument with the name of Shivaji.
His Excellency then advised to Committee of Management to lay more emphasis on the general education of the boys on the lines of the Public School.
H.E. Field Marshal Sir John Birdwood had said:
The qualities of courage, valour and bravery, which were so conspicuous in Shivaji and the Maratha warriors 300 years ago, were still alive in the Great War (1914-18). The Maratha soldiers of the Indian Army showed a steadfast bravery and unflinching loyalty which are as an example to all. It is indeed fitting that the All India Memorial to Shivaji should be created in the Capital of Deccan, near the scenes of his greatest efforts and in the chief military centre of the South, where it will stand in memory of the and as an incentive of bravery to the Maratha soldier of the future”.
The All India Shri Shivaji Memorial Society, of which Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur, His Higness Shri Madhavrao Scindia of Gwalior and His Highness Sir Tukojirao Maharaj of Indore, were the founder members and had made most magnificent endowments towards the Memorial. It was originally proposed to house in the building a Historical Museum and a Historical Research Institute. But later, a majority of the members of the Committee of the Management favored the starting of a military institute, and with further changes in the proposal, the present institute, bearing the name of Shri Shivaji Preparatory Military School came into being
Quite a few visitors ask if the words Preparatory Military” have any special significance. To begin with, recruitment to the Defence Services was direct from such a School. Now, as a member of the Indian Public Schools Conference, it provides a liberal all-round education which enables students to take with confidence the Union Public Servie Commission Examinations for admission to the National Defence Academy (N.D.A.) Khadakwasla, Pune. The Physical training, by means of drill, athletics, riding, musketry and team games. which are compulsory for all students, makes them physically tough. The emphasis on discipline, wearing of military-type uniform and compulsory N.C.C. training for students of classes VIII and IX motivates and prepares them for careers in the Defense Forces.