Education in West Bengal

Calcutta has played a pioneering role in the development of the modern education system in India. Western models of education came to India through Calcutta. Many of the first schools and colleges were established by the missionaries and reformists.

Sir William Jones established the Asiatic Society in 1784 for promoting oriental studies. People like Ram Mohan Roy, David Hare, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and Sir William Carey played a leading role in the setting up of modern schools and colleges in the city. The Fort William College was established in 1800. The Hindu College was established in 1817. In 1855 the Hindu College was renamed as the Presidency College.

Sir William Carey established the Serampore College, Serampore (20 kms from Calcutta) in 1819. It went on to become India’s first modern university in 1827 when it was incorporated by a Royal Charter as a Danish University. The Sanskrit College was established in 1828. The La Martiniere School was established in 1836. John Bethune established a school for Indian girls in 1850 at a time when women’s education was frowned upon in the society.

The oldest medical school of Asia, the Calcutta Medical College was set up in 1835. In 1857 the University of Calcutta was established. It was modeled on the lines of the University of London. Today it is amongst the largest universities of India and offers one of the widest number of disciplines of study.