Kochi: Maharaja's College in Ernakulam became the venue of a different kind of reunion on Monday when the descendants of the first principal took a trip down the memory line. Alfred Forbes Sealy's great granddaughter Marion Kelly, her son Rupert Peter Sealy and his son Andrei Sealy went to the historical college to trace the footsteps of the illustrious Englishman who is often credited as the father of English education in the princely state of Kochi.

Though Rupert Peter Sealy has been living in Kerala for almost a decade, he had no idea about his ancestor's connection with one of the oldest colleges in the state. A tourism entrepreneur at Kumarakom, Rupert Sealy chanced upon the heritage just before his mother's visit.

The family came to know about Sealy's Kochi connection from a photo of a plaque bearing his name. They were welcomed by college principal K N Krishnakumar. Marion Kelly was surprised to see that the college still retained the buildings from the days of her great grandfather. The family was led to the portrait of A F Sealy in the main hall over the library.

A F Sealy started his career as an elementary school headmaster in Ernakulam. When the school was elevated as a college after 24 years, he became the first principal. He also served as the public instruction director of the state of Kochi.

He got the college building constructed in the model of his former place of work in the Cambridge University.

Sealy was born in India to William Benjamin Dawson and Mary Annie, both employees of the British East India Company. He studied and worked in England before taking up the assignment in Kochi. After retirement, he returned to England.