The Maharashtra Education Society holds an important share. In 1860 Maharashtra Education Society (MES) formerly called as Poona Native Institutions was founded by Vaman Prabhakar Bhave, Vasudev Balvant Phadke, and Laxman Narhar Indapurkar. The great revolutionary freedom fighter Vasudev Balvant Phadke was the first Secretary and treasurer of Maharashtra Education Society.
It was formed with the aim of planting nationalistic thoughts and creating a generation of strong character and ideals. The last Hundred and Fifty two years stands testimony to the fact that the aims of the society have been achieved. MES has given several gems in various fields, not just to Maharashtra but also to the nation. What started as a simple, single seed is now an enormous tree. MES is the leading entity that provides complete education from K.G. to P.G.
Abasaheb Garware College is the only Science and Arts College of the Maharashtra Education Society. It was established in 1945, and then named as M.E.S. College of Arts and Science, it imparted primary education in languages and social sciences, and a few subjects in science.