Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi

Establishment of Banaras Hindu University

: Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi is one of the most sought after institution of higher education of India was established in the year 1916 by efforts of Pt. Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya to provide space for Indians for leaning. It took great efforts by Indians to build such an institution. Initially there were not so many departments and institutions in the university campus but gradually with development of academia several branches and departments opened.

History of Establishment of University Campus

Let’s see back to the ‘Macaulayian System’ of Education of 1935 that aimed to educate the upper classes of India through the medium of English Language. The system wanted to establish a class of Indians who should be “Indian in blood and colour, but English in tastes, in opinions, in morals and in intellect.”

But the effort gave rise to a new class of intelligentsia that scrutinised reasons of backwardness of India and its subjugation to the British. This new class saw the path of progress in an acceptance of the best of the East and the West. They denied the superiority of the western culture and prevented masses from becoming the puppet of British. They drew inspiration from the India’s heritage and reinterpreted it in combination of modern and scientific knowledge. Result was the birth of the many socio-religious movements.

One of these movements was Theosophical Movement of Madame H.P.Blawtsky. In 1907 Mrs. Annie Besant became president of Theosophical Movement. Besant laid the foundation of the CentralHindu College in Benaras in the year 1898, where both the Hindu religion and modern scientific subjects were taught. Later the college provided foundation for the establishment of Banaras Hindu University.

Efforts of Madan Mohan Malaviya to found BHU

Madan Mohan Malaviya, a moderate Congressman, founded Banaras Hindu University in 1916. Since there was little effort from the colonial government of India, he asked for alms from the influential, affluent and rulers of India explaining his vision to establish the institution. He aimed to make such an institution that would be by Indians and for Indians denying all foreign autocracy. He campaigned door to door for alms. He got support and criticism too. Finally he succeeded in making it.

How to Reach BHU in Varanasi :

Varanasi is the cultural capital of India and the melting pot of Indian civilization. Varanasi or Benaras has a well-developed transport network and is well connected to all the major Indian cities and states by air, road and rail.

By Air : Varanasi is well connected and accessible to major Indian cities and tourist spots. There are daily domestic flights to and from Varanasi to several cities in India. Apart from the state owned Indian Airlines, there are many private air taxi operators that offer their services from Varanasi to other Indian cities. In fact, the daily flights on Delhi-Agra-Khajuraho-Varanasi route are quite popular among the tourists.

By Rail : Since Varanasi lies in the heartland of the North Indian plains, it is well connected to Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and other parts of India. There are two railway stations in Varanasi, the Kashi Junction and the Varanasi Junction (also known as Varanasi Cantonment). Rajdhani Express from Delhi or from Calcutta passes through Varanasi too. One can also catch trains from Mughalsarai, just 10 km south of Varanasi.

By Road : Situated in the flat Ganga plains, Varanasi has a good network of roads. Frequent public and private buses and road transport to all the major towns of Uttar Pradesh and nearby areas.

Infrastructure of BHU campus

The main BHU campus comprises 1300 acres of land. The Banaras Hindu University comprises three (3) institutes, fourteen (14) faculties, one hundred and twenty four (124) departments, four (4) inter-disciplinary centres, a constituent college for women and three (3) constituent schools. It houses six (6) centres of Advanced Studies, ten (10) departments under Special Assistance Programme and a large number of specialized Research Centres.

Having more than one hundred and twenty eight (128) independent teaching departments, BHU is among the top three residential universities in India. A number of its colleges, including Engineering (IIT-BHU) and medicine (IMS-BHU), are renowned all over the world. The FMS-BHU (Faculty of Management Studies) has turned into IIM Varanasi.

The university works towards the aim of promoting the study of the Hindu Shastras, Sanskrit literature in Department of Sanskrit Vidya Dharma Vidya, learning and research in arts and sciences, diffusing scientific, technical and professional knowledge as are best circulated to help in promoting indigenous industries and in developing the material resources of the country.

The Banaras Hindu University teaches a vast range of subjects pertaining to all branches of humanities, social science, technology, medicine, science, fine arts and performing arts.

Apart from academic buildings and sports facilities, one can see within the campus a New Vishwanath Temple, an airstrip and flying club, a library with over 18 lakh volumes andBharat Kala Bhawan- a famous museum of rare collections.

Festivals and Cultural Programmes at the Campus

Several cultural and promotional programmes by the students and professors of students are organised. In March a university convocation programme is held to hand over degrees to the alumni. In Feb- March all the faculties of the university organise several fests and at university level a cultural competition, Spandan is held every year to promote skills of students. One can enjoy cultural programmes organised at Pt. Omkarnath Auditorium by eminent luminaries and professors of university. You can also enjoy watching screening of documentaries that are a regular routine at the university campus. A yearly festival on the pattern of RashtrapatiBhavan of Flower Exhibition is held on 25-26th of December to commemorate Birth Anniversary of its Founder Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya in MalaviyaBhawan. On occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami, a Hindu festival celebrated in August, All the hostels of the university compete in a Jhanki Competition. In this competition hostels are decorated and students act to make scenes that were related to the mythological incidents of Lord Krishna. Though there are sometimes clash between outsider students and hostel dwellers, there is rare violence reported from the campus. Administration at the campus is efficient and well managed. Students get a stable and calm atmosphere at the campus. University has a large number of trees on the premises that make its temperatures below temperature of the polluted Varanasi City, also, its own agricultural farm a wrestling arena and many smaller temples of Gods Goddesses and Saints. Campus has International Hostels and gives access to foreign Students, Professors and national. If you visit Varanasi with any purpose you should not miss the opportunity to visit university campus.