Banaras Hindu University

Overview

Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is a public central university located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Founded in 1916 by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, it is one of the oldest and largest residential universities in Asia. The university was established through the Banaras Hindu University Act, 1915, and operates as a central university funded by the Government of India.

Key facts

Background

The idea of a national university at Varanasi was advanced by Madan Mohan Malaviya in the early years of the twentieth century. The project drew support from Indian princes, philanthropists, and nationalist leaders, and the institution was conceived to combine the study of Indian traditions, Sanskrit learning, and modern sciences and technology in a single residential campus on the banks of the Ganga.

Annie Besant's earlier Central Hindu College, founded in 1898 in Varanasi, was merged into the new university and became one of its founding constituents. The foundation stone of the campus was laid on 4 February 1916 in the presence of Lord Hardinge, the then Viceroy of India.

Campus and organisation

The main campus at Varanasi covers a large tract of land donated by the Maharaja of Banaras, with a layout planned in a semi-circular form. The university also operates the Rajiv Gandhi South Campus at Barkachha in the Mirzapur district. Academic units are organised into faculties, institutes, and affiliated colleges, covering arts, social sciences, science, commerce, law, education, performing arts, Sanskrit learning (Sanskrit Vidya Dharma Vijnana Sankaya), agriculture, management, medicine, and engineering and technology.

The Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS-BHU) operates the Sir Sunderlal Hospital on campus. The Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi, formerly the Institute of Technology of the university, was converted into an autonomous IIT in 2012 under the Institutes of Technology (Amendment) Act.

Timeline

• 1898 — Annie Besant founds the Central Hindu College at Varanasi, a forerunner institution.
• 1915 — The Banaras Hindu University Act is passed by the Imperial Legislative Council.
• 1916 — Foundation stone laid on 4 February; the university begins functioning, with Madan Mohan Malaviya as its first Vice-Chancellor.
• 1971 — The South Campus at Barkachha, Mirzapur is established.
• 2012 — The Institute of Technology, BHU is upgraded to the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi.

Academics and research

BHU offers undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and diploma programmes across its faculties and institutes. The university maintains research activity in fields including Indology, Sanskrit and Indic studies, basic sciences, agriculture, biomedical sciences, and engineering. The Bharat Kala Bhavan, the university's museum, holds collections of Indian paintings, sculptures, textiles, and manuscripts.

Significance

BHU is recognised as an Institution of Eminence by the Government of India and is considered one of the leading central universities in the country. It has historically played a role in the Indian freedom movement through the activities of Malaviya and several of its alumni, and has produced graduates who went on to prominence in politics, science, literature, and the arts.

Related topics

• Madan Mohan Malaviya
• Varanasi
• Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi
• Annie Besant
• Central Hindu College
• Central universities in India
• Bharat Kala Bhavan

References

• Wikidata entry: Q806116
• Banaras Hindu University Act, 1915 (Government of India).