From Calcutta Madrasaḥ to 'Āliah University: A Journey

The history of Muslim education in India since the inception of British rule, is closely associated with the history of Calcutta Madrasaḥ popularly known as Madrasaḥ-e-ʿĀliah. It is the main spring from and round which a system of madrasaḥ education grew up in India. The Calcutta Madrasaḥ was the first educational institution in India, established by the British Government for the promotion of education in Theological Science, Oriental Studies, Medical Education, Geological Studies and Islamic Laws among the Muslims of Bengal for the purpose of administration and the judiciary. The institution which has managed to cover such a time period of two and a quarter century has played a remarkable role in the dissemination of knowledge, as well as social and cultural activities. It was hugely affected by the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947 and lost its earlier prestige and status. Then, owing to continuous movements by the students of the madrasaḥ and votaries of madrasaḥ education, against the ruling government of West Bengal to establish their tradition through this educational Institution, the Calcutta Madrasaḥ regained its college status and then has been upgraded to ʿĀliah University in 2007. This paper traces the journey for this institution.