Founded in 1857 the University of Calcutta stands proudly on College Street. It’s India’s oldest modern university a testament to its rich history. Imagine the bustling streets of Kolkata in 1857. The university’s inception wasn’t straightforward. Dr Fredrick John first proposed a Calcutta university modeled after London University. His initial proposal failed. Later a plan for universities in Calcutta and Bombay gained approval. The Calcutta University Act took effect on January 24 1857. A 41-member Senate became its governing body. Its initial jurisdiction stretched from Lahore to Rangoon an incredibly vast area.
The university’s early years were marked by humble beginnings. Its first meetings were held in the Calcutta Medical College’s council room. The first office consisted of rented rooms on Camac Street. Senate and Syndicate meetings later took place in the Writers’ Building. The first entrance exam in March 1861 saw 244 candidates at the Kolkata Town Hall. Lord Canning became its first Chancellor. Sir William Colvile served as the first Vice-Chancellor. Joddu Nath Bose and Bankim Chandra Chatterjee were its first graduates.
The Senate decided to build a proper university building in 1862. The iconic Senate Hall cost Rs 252221. Its inauguration on March 12 1873 marked a significant milestone. The university library soon followed. The growth continued. In 1914 the University College of Science now Rajabazar Science College opened. A centralized postgraduate system began in 1917. The Asutosh Building opened in 1926. The Asutosh Museum of Indian Art followed in 1937. Dr Syamaprasad Mookerjee the Vice-Chancellor requested a university song from Rabindranath Tagore. Tagore composed two songs. The second song Subho Karmapathe Dharo Nirvayo Gaan was ultimately chosen.
The University of Calcutta’s story doesn’t end there. The Institute of Nuclear Physics Asia’s first opened in 1945 under Meghnad Saha. The university received Five Star status from NAAC in 2001. It earned the highest A grade in 2009 and 2017. In 2019 its central library and 40 departmental libraries opened to the public. The University of Calcutta is more than just a building. It is a symbol of learning a repository of knowledge a living testament to India’s academic legacy. Its College Street campus pulsates with history and aspirations. It continues to shape countless lives. It stands tall as a beacon of education. Its legacy continues to inspire future generations.