University of Calcutta

Formally established on the 24 January 1857, the University of Calcutta (also known as Calcutta University) was the first modern university in the Indian subcontinent. It has its main campuses in College Street, Rajabazar, Alipore and a host of affiliated colleges in greater Calcutta .

History

Pioneers and visionaries

As the first modern university in the Indian sub-continent the University saw its direction being steered by the first Indian vice-chancellor, Sir Gooroodas Banerjee and later by the Indian vice-chancellors Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee and his son Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee (also a vice chancellor).

Related Topics:
Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee - Syama Prasad Mookerjee

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Other renowned teachers and educationists such as:

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• Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee,
• Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy,
• Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose,
• Acharya Satyendra Nath Bose,
• Meghnad Saha &
• P.C. Mahalanobis

have all worked at the university.

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It was Dr. Fredrick John, the education secretary to the then British Government in India, who first tendered a proposal to the British Government in London for the establishment of a university in Calcutta, along the lines of London University, but at that time the plan failed to obtain the necessary approval.

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However, a proposal to establish two universities, one in Calcutta and the other in Bombay was later accepted in 1854 and the necessary authority was given. The Calcutta University Act came into force on 24 January 1857 and a 41-member Senate was formed as the policy making body of the university.

Related Topics:
Calcutta University Act - 24 January - 1857

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During the British era and through the period until Independence in the 1960s, it was regarded as one of the few seats of academic excellence to the east of Suez.

Related Topics:
1960s - Suez

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When the university was first established it had a catchment area covering the area from Lahore to Rangoon (now in Myanmar) - the largest of any Indian university.

Related Topics:
Catchment area - Lahore - Rangoon - Myanmar

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Early begininings

Members of the University's first Senate include:

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• Alexander Duff,
• Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar,
• Prasanna Kumar Thakur,
• Prince Golam Mohammad,
• William Gordon Pratt,
• Frederick John Moat.

The first Chancellor and Vice-chancellor of the Calcutta University were the then Governor General Lord Canning and Sir James William Colvil, the then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, respectively.

Related Topics:
Lord Canning - Sir James William Colvil

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Sir Gooroodas Banerjee was the first Indian vice Chancellor of the University of Calcutta. The first meeting of the Senate was held in the Council room of the Calcutta Medical College. A temporary office of the university was first started in a few rented rooms in Camac Street.

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On 30 January 1858, the Syndicate of the Calcutta University was constituted.For several years, afterwards the meetings of the Senate and Syndicate were held in a room of the Writer's Building. 244 candidates appeared for the first Entrance Examination of the university which was held in the month of March 1857 in the Town Hall of Calcutta.

Related Topics:
30 January - 1858

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In 1862, a decision was taken by the Senate to construct for the university a building of its own. Accordingly, the historical Senate Hall was constructed at a cost of Rs. 2,52,221/- and inaugurated on 12 March 1873 by holding the convocation of the university.

Related Topics:
12 March - 1873

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