Ravenshaw began as a college in 1868 and is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in eastern India. The main building is a long red-brick block in the Indo-Saracenic manner, set back from the road behind lawns and old trees, and is the finest piece of colonial architecture in Cuttack.
The campus is open to walk through during working hours. The original college buildings, the library and the chapel are the most interesting parts; the rest is mid-20th century in date and less rewarding.