About University
Murshidabad University (situated on the eastern bank of the river Bhagirathi in Berhampore, Murshidabad, West Bengal) is established by THE MURSHIDABAD UNIVERSITY ACT, 2018, West Bengal Act XVIII of 2018, Part- III, Acts of the West Bengal Legislature, Law Department Legislative Notification, Published in The Kolkata Gazette (Extraordinary), ASVINA 9, Monday, October 1, 2018 and Kolkata Gazette notification no.130L/OM-61L/2021 dated 04.06.2021 and the University began functioning along with the joining of the first Vice-Chancellor, PROF. DR. SUJATA BAGCHI BANERJEE, (Principal, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad). The first initiative for the foundation of a University in Murshidabad is the up-gradation of Krishnath College (one of the oldest and leading colleges of West Bengal, with a great heritage of 168 years). The process of up-gradation of Krishnath College into a University named “Murshidabad University” keeping intact the heritage of the college is initiated by the Govt. of West Bengal.
168 yrs old Krishnath college which has gathered to itself a halo bequeathed by its eminent teachers and alumni, was originally founded by the Govt. of Bengal under East India Company on the 18th Nov. 1853 by notification no : 1913 20th Oct 1953, with the assistance of Nawab, Zaminders and a number of common people of this district although the idea of founding both the college and the University was first conceived by the visionary idealist and a Renaissance man Raja Krishnath – a dream that was not translated into reality by his cruel untimely death. However, since then the growth and development of this college have always been intimately concerned with Cossimbazar Raj family. Thus it is significant that the genesis of this Institution marked a cultural synthesis between feudalism and democracy not often dreamed of in that remote past. Since 1853 this college fit to be declared a heritage institution has been unswervingly engaged in promoting and fostering education among the people of four districts such as Murshidabad, Nadia, Malda and Birbhum.
With its long span of life extending over almost 168 years the college had nurtured some illustrious scholars who had made notable contributions to the intellectual awakening of Bengal as well as India. The eminent orientalist scholar Ram Das Sen, Rakhal Das Banerjee, distinguished archaeologist famous for his discovery of the site of Mohenjo-Daro in Sind, the brothers Radha Kumud Mukherjee and Radha Kamal Mukherjee, erudite professor, made significant contribution in Indian history and Indian economics. Ramgoti Nayratna a pioneer in the Historical study of Bengali literature. Brojendra Nath Seal, the great Philosopher and one of the greatest intellectuals of present day India Sir Gurudas Banerjee the famous Jurist savant, the Nationalist leader and eminent Jurist Sir Rashbehari Ghosh, the renowned International Historian K.K.Dutta, the notable political philosopher Bimanbehari Mazumdar, the Bengali poet Kalidas Roy – these are some illustrious names among others who were associated with this college in different capacities. Surely India is proud of this premier institution.
The library containing roughly 60,000 titles of varied interests is an object of both glory and pride of Bengal. Its ancient collection provokes attraction and envy in many minds. The institution extends its accommodation of about 450 students coming outside Berhampore in its three spacious large hostels (two for boys and two for girls).
It was a fact that the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee was herself eager to establish a University nearly in every district of West Bengal; and as a part of her educational policy, she responded positively to the proposal for the up-gradation of Krishnath College into a University. No wonder, the declaration for the establishment of a University in Murshidabad and that ultimately, according to the original proposal and memorandum, by the suggested up-gradation of Krishnath College into a University was only a matter of time. The passing of the Murshidabad University Act in 2018 by the Government of West Bengal paved the way to the required transfer of the ownership of the land and all establishments of Krishnath College by a ‘Deed of Gift’ to the Government of West Bengal; and this accelerated the subsequent developments towards the virtual up-gradation of Krishnath College into a University. Eventually, the functional set up of the Murshidabad University start the logical fulfilment of the expectation of the people of Murshidabad. Now the Murshidabad University marches on its path of present determination, future dream and aspirations to become an internationally reputed temple of learning in the District of Murshidabad.