Nabadwip Vidyasagar College
Nabadwip Vidyasagar College (Bengali: নবদ্বীপ বিদ্যাসাগর কলেজ) is a college situated in Nabadwip in Nadia, West Bengal, India. It was established in 1942 as a branch of Vidyasagar College, kolkata and was affiliated to the University of Calcutta, later in 1960 the University of Kalyani, was established and this college became affiliated with it. This college is one of the few colleges under University of Kalyani which offers undergraduate courses in arts, commerce and sciences.

Foundation 

The College was born on 5 March 1942 when the ongoing Second World War prompted the esteemed Calcutta Vidyasagar College to open two more campuses. One was at Suri, Birbhum and the other one was at Nabadwip, the erstwhile ‘Oxford of the East’. Up to 1948 the college functioned as a branch of the mother institution. It was housed at the Nabadwip Hindu School. A local committee composed of some eminent citizens of Nabadwip ran the fledgeling institution, headed by Prof. Madhab Das Chakrabarty of Calcutta Vidyasagar College. Prof. J.K. Chowdhury took over as the Principal on 10.09.1948, when the college obtained an independent status, a full-fledged Governing Body and a permanent affiliation from Calcutta University.

The institution is affiliated to the University of Kalyani since 1999.

Historical Context 

Nabadwip, formerly known as Navadweep, is located on the western bank of the Bhagirathi River, opposite the confluence of the Jalangi and Bhagirathi rivers. Approximately 70 miles north of Calcutta, Nabadwip was a bustling city and a hub of Hindu learning in the 15th and 16th centuries. The city was teeming with intellectual activity, with numerous colleges (Toles) on every street, each hosting hundreds or even thousands of students.

The city was renowned for its literary tournaments and discussions, which took place daily at every ghat. Students were easily identifiable by the books they carried, which served as their badges of honor. Among the city's most distinguished scholars were Vasudeva Sarvabhuman and his disciple Raghunath Siromani Bhattacharya, who developed Nyaya Philosophy and established a Nyaya College in Nabadwip.

Nabadwip is also the birthplace of Krishnananda Agamabagisha, author of Brihat Tantrasara, and Sri Chaitanya Deva (1486-1533), a cultural mediator and spiritual saint who established a Tole at Mukunda Sanjay's house. The Vidya Samaj of Nabadwip honored Sri Chaitanya Deva with the title "Vidyasagar".

Krishnachandra Roy (1710-1782) made significant contributions to promoting Sanskrit learning in Nabadwip by establishing many Sanskrit schools and providing financial support for foreign students studying Sanskrit. His wife, Rani Bhabani, was also a patron of Sanskrit culture in Bengal. Reverend James Long once referred to Nabadwip as the "Oxford of the Orient".

Nabadwip Vidyasagar College is located in this historically rich area. During World War II, many intellectuals from Calcutta sought refuge in Nabadwip following Japan's bombardment of Calcutta. As a result, two branches of Calcutta Vidyasagar College were established, one in Suri, Birbhum, and the other in Nabadwip.

Nabadwip Vidyasagar College began its journey on March 5, 1942. Initially, it operated from Nabadwip Hindu School and functioned as a branch of Calcutta Vidyasagar College until 1948.

Under the guidance of Prof. Madhab Das Chakraborty from Calcutta Vidyasagar College, Nabadwip Vidyasagar College began its journey. The college gained independent status, a full-fledged governing body, and permanent affiliation from Calcutta University on 10 September 1948 under the leadership of Principal Prof. J.K. Chowdhury.

Departments

Under-graduate
At present the college imparts education in as many as Seventeen honours courses and three customary general courses.

Arts
 Bengali
 Education
 English
 Geography
 History
 Philosophy
 Physical education
 Political science
 Sanskrit

Commerce
 Accountancy

Science
 Botany
 Chemistry
 Computer science
 Economics
 Environmental science
 Mathematics
 Physics
 Zoology

Post-graduate
There is also the post-graduate course in Sanskrit and three more M.A courses in DODL mode.
 Sanskrit

DODL
 Bengali
 English
 Education
 History

Accreditation
NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) accredited the college (Grade-B) on 17.04.2007. Once again, the college received ‘B’ grade from NAAC on 30 October 2017.

See also

References

External links
Nabadwip Vidyasagar College
University of Kalyani
University Grants Commission
National Assessment and Accreditation Council

Universities and colleges in Nadia district
Colleges affiliated to University of Kalyani
Educational institutions established in 1942
1942 establishments in India