Vidyasagar College

About The Department

This venerable institution, established by the great visionary of the Bengal Renaissance Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, holds the singular distinction of being the pioneer higher education institution in colonial India founded through private initiative. From its very inception, the institution has been inextricably intertwined with the study and propagation of the Bengali language and its rich literary heritage. Initially, a single pedagogue presided over the twin domains of Bengali and Sanskrit; however, over time, the Bengali department separated itself and emerged as a distinctively glorious department. In 1927, the Department of Bengali of this college formally commenced its journey, a mere eight years subsequent to the establishment of the Department of Bengali Language and Literature at the University of Calcutta in 1919. From its nascent days, the department has basked in the luminescence of erudite faculty members and brilliant students.

The alumni of Vidyasagar College’s Bengali Department have not only adorned themselves with laurels in university examinations but have also ascended to prominence across diverse spheres of society. Their contributions span the realms of academia, journalism, public administration (both governmental and non-governmental), and the publishing industry. Moreover, the cultural landscape of the nation has been enriched by the creative exploits of these distinguished graduates, some of whom have scaled the zenith of recognition on a pan-Indian stage.

The Bengali Department prides itself of arranging a plethora of cultural and intellectual endevours throughout the academic calendar, including the commemoration of luminaries, the observance of significant occasions, and educational excursions, all designed to nurture the holistic development of its students. Furthermore, through participation in intra-college competitions, contributions to the department’s journal, and articles for the college magazine, students are afforded opportunities to hone their skills and inch towards self-reliance. The motto of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar to uplift students from the most common family background, is still being the guiding principle of this department.

Complementing the institution's central library, the Bengali Department boasts its own departmental library, having not only essential textbooks but also an eclectic collection of literary works. This repository ensures that students can immerse themselves in a wide spectrum of intellectual pursuits.

The department is fortified by a complement of five substantive faculty members and three SACTs, adhering to government-prescribed norms for the teacher-student ratio. All members of the teaching fraternity are actively engaged in scholarly research.