Burdwan Raj College : A Historical Perspective

The origin of the College goes as far back as 1817 when Maharaja Tej Chand founded an anglo-vernacular school within the premises of his palace at Burdwan. It was extended and renamed ‘High English School’ by Maharaja Mahatab Chand in 1854. Inspite of Bengal renaissance slowly transforming the social fabric, Burdwan remained rather indifferent to higher English education until Aftab Chand became the Maharaja of Burdwan 1881. In the same year, he shifted the school to Natunganj and introduced Liberal Arts courses in accordance with the permission of the University of Calcutta and christened the new unit Maharaja’s College. The school became eventually named ‘Raj Collegiate School’ and the College ‘Burdwan Raj College’.