History

A brief history of the Department

In 1936, the Hooghly College, in its centenary year, was renamed as Hooghly Mohsin College. In 1907under the new Regulations of the University of Calcutta had to seek affiliation afresh. Following itHooghly Mohsin College had started its journey by introducing B.A. courses in 1909. In 1924 thehistory department of the college received affiliation in Honours. In 1960 when the University ofBurdwan was established, Hooghly Mohsin College fell under the jurisdiction of the new University.

In 1978 the Law Section of the college started which caused a greatloss for the history department. The History Seminar room facing the river henceforward was usedas the office of the Law Section. The almirahs of history seminar room were shifted to the staff roomwhich was already congested.

The Library of the Hooghly Mohsin College is one of the oldest andrichest libraries in the state. It was in May 1837 that the first library books came. From that day tilldate the library possesses valuable books and rare records and journals which are used both byteachers and students.

A large number of general scholarships, stipends, medals and prizesare given to the students of this college. The college also provides Free-studentship for general andschedule caste students. In 1935, Prafulla Kumar Das, son of a washerman, a student of the 3rd YearHistory Honours class got a stipend of rupees 10 per month from Kuruvilla Zachariah, one of thefamous Principals of the college.

Some of the famous ex-students of Hooghly Mohsin College are BankimChandra Chatterjee, Dwijendralal Roy, Charu Chandra Roy, Upendra Nath Brahmachari, AkshayKumar Sarkar, Kanailal Dutta, Muzaffar Ahmed, Shyamal Mitra,

Many eminent teachers served Department of History of this college.Amongst them R.B. Ramsbotham, a famous professor of history joined Hooghly Mohsin College in1921 as Principal. He was the last European principal of this college. Kuruvilla Zachariah, one of thefinest teachers (History) and a good administrator served as a principal of the college. He was thefirst Indian to obtain a first class in history in Oxford. He wrote the valuable book ‘History of HooghlyCollege 1836-1936’. This book was reprinted with additional chapters covering the period from1937-1990 by another principal of this college, Dr. BasantakumarSamanta. Though he wasprofessor of mathematics he had a great interest in local history., Haridas Mukherjee, HossenurRehman, Debandra Bijoy Mitra, RadhamadhabSaha, Subodh Kumar Mukherjee served this collegeas the teacher of the History Department. Recently, RadhamadhabSaha wrote a book named ‘Oatenand the Five Famous Principals’ who helmed Hooghly Mohsin College.

The History Department is one of the glittering Departments of the College.