Overview
Visva-Bharati (IAST: Viśva-Bhāratī) is a public central university located at Shantiniketan in West Bengal, India. It is recognised as an Institute of National Importance. The name, given by its founder Rabindranath Tagore, signifies the communion of the world with India.
The foundation stone of the institution was laid on 8 Poush 1325 (24 December 1918) by Rabindranath Tagore. Until India's independence, the institution functioned as a college centred on Tagore's educational ideals at Shantiniketan.
Soon after independence, Visva-Bharati was granted the status of a central university in 1951 through an act of the Parliament of India. It continues to operate as a central university and an Institute of National Importance.
References
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article on Visva-Bharati University.