Patna College - PC

Patna College is the oldest institution of Bihar for providing higher education in the state. It has left a deep impact on the life of the people here. Most of the important Colleges of Patna namely, Law College, Engineering College, Science College and Vanijya Mahavidyalaya were initially part and parcel of Patna College and that is why Patna College is often referred to as the ‘mother of all institutions. Patna College was established in 1863. This College envisaged the educational ideals of the twentieth century. Accordingly, this institution had to develop holistically, keeping in mind a total development, both intellectual and social and carved out, as a result a unique status of its own. For many years, Patna College had been the only institution to impart Post-Graduate teaching in Arts and achieved excellence in Graduate and Under-Graduate teaching. After the bifurcation of the old Patna University on January 2, 1952, two new universities namely Patna University and Bihar University were established. This marked a new era for Higher Education in Bihar. Till January 1952, Patna College was a Government College and worked as an autonomous body. Later it became a constituent of Patna University. From henceforth it remained an Under-Graduate institution only as the university took the responsibility of PG teaching upon itself. Today it remains the most popular co-educational College for teaching Arts. Patna College became the centre for Honours teaching for all the constituent Colleges of Patna University and some of the most experienced teachers were welcomed to engage classes there. In 1957, all Post-Graduate departments with the exception of Geography, Sociology and Psychology were transferred to Darbhanga House. The classes of B.Com were transferred from Law College to Patna College in the year 1957. It was allocated the status of a fully functional department. However, in September 9, 1974 this department was separated from Patna College, it became an autonomous institution and assumed the name of Patna Vanijya Mahavidyalaya. However, the College continues to be situated in the premises of Patna College. From the beginning of the twentieth century, this college has contributed towards the enrichment of human life. This is reflected in the life of the boarders of the five hostels namely, Minto, Jackson, New, Iqbal and GDS where over 450 students reside. Patna College provides the backdrop to the great English novelist E.M. Forster’s ‘A Passage to India’ and to the noted film director Satyajit Ray’s film entitled ‘Seema Badha’.