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History
Established in 1917 the department is one of the oldest departments of the college. Distinguished historians such as Professors Nishith Ranjan Ray and Kuruvilla Zakaria taught in this department. The department is currently run by four fulltime teachers dedicated to the study of history both within and outside the college.
Vision and Mission of the Department
The Department strongly believe and encourage in interactive learning procedure to ignite curiosity in the subject. We believe classroom teaching should be supplemented by direct field experience like visit to museums and places of historical interest. We are committed towards inculcating values in students that will help them to become responsible citizens.
Current Activities
The Department has its own staff room in the First floor of the Jani Ali Block. The departmental library has around 500 books. The students enjoy regular borrowing facilities. The department encourages interactive sessions and uses PPTs as and when required. Each of the four-faculty member has their own mentoring groups under their supervision for all the semesters. Remedial classes are regularly arranged for students in need of special attention. Talk by eminent historians, Students’ seminar and Museum visits, heritage walls, knowing the neighbourhood are organised at regular intervals. The department was the Zonal Centre of Calcutta University for 15 consecutive years.
Program and Course
The History Honours syllabus under the 1+1+1 syllabus consists of eight papers to be covered in three academic years. The last batch of students under the 1+1+1 system passed out in the year 2020. Under the old syllabus, the Honours curriculum is divided in two parts – Indian history and History of the World. Papers on History of India cover period from Pre–history to Nehruvian era (1964). The span of the syllabus of the Eurocentric World history is from the fall of Feudal Society (Rise of early Modern Europe) to the end of Cold War. It also includes the history of Far East countries.
Under the CBCS from the year 2018 the Three years B.A. Honours in History will comprise 6 Semesters. The curriculum will consist of 14 Core Courses (CC), 4 Discipline Specific Elective (DSC ) Courses, 2 Ability Enhancement Compulsory Courses (AECC), 2 Skill Enhancement Courses (SEC). Each Course of 100 marks. Attendance : 10 marks per paper, Internal Assessment : 10 marks per paper. The syllabus is framed to redefine the curriculum keeping pace with the new research in the field.
Under the newly introduced NEP from the year 2023 the Four year B.A in History will comprise 8 semesters. The curriculum will consist of 22 Discipline specific core Elective courses (H/CC) courses each carrying 4 credits, 8 Minor courses each carrying 4 credits, 3 Interdisciplinary courses (IDC) each carrying 3 credits, 4 Ability Enhancement Compulsory Courses,( AEC) each carrying 2 credits, 3 Skill Enhancement Courses(SEC), each carrying 4 credits, 4 Common Value Added Courses (CVAC), each carrying 2 credits. There will 1 Summer Internship of 3 credits and Dissertation /Research work in the 7 semester carrying 4 credits and 8 credits in the final (8th) semester. The course intends to provide a deep and extensive understanding of Indian as well as world history since the time of the hunterer gatherers to the days of global warming and the changing complex political scenario of the world politics of the 20th century.
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Distinguished Alumni
Born in 1931 in Howrah, Dr. Nemai Sadhan Bose did his B.A. in History from St.Paul'S C.M. College and M.A. from Calcutta University. Bose obtained his PhD from London University and received a fellowship from Harvard in 1966-67. Awarded a D.Litt by London University in 1972, he joined Jadavpur University as a professor. He became the vice chancellor of Visva-Bharati in 1984 and in that capacity five years later.
The recipient of Fulbright and Rockefeller Foundation scholarships, he was a visiting professor at South California University and had several books, including Indian Awakening in Bengal, Indira Gandhi on herself and Her Times and Swami Vivekananda,to his credit.
Dr. Hitesranjan Sanyal earned his Bachelor's degree from St. Paul's College in History and his Master's degree at Calcutta University in Archaeology. He obtained his doctoral thesis entitled Temple-Building Activities in Bengal: A Social Study (1450- 1900) from Calcutta University under the supervision of legendary Niharranjan Ray.
From 1959 to 1962 Dr.Sanyal worked at the Asutosh Museum of Calcutta University and participated in the excavation of Chandraketu Garh. Sanyal accompanied his close friend David MacCutchion on several of his trips into the Bengal countryside and learnt from him the techniques of architectural photography. Sanyal took almost 3000 photographs, an immensely valuable legacy of his scholarship on Bengal temples which is preserved in the visual archive of the CSSSC.
He was a research fellow at the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta and later joined the faculty of the newly established Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta (CSSSC). After joining here, Sanyal launched a research project in which he interviewed hundreds of leaders and participants of the freedom movement in the districts of Medinipur, Bankura, Purulia and Hugli. He was one of the introducer of the Oral History methods in the discipline of the History of Bengal. He had a great study on Gaudiya Vaishnavism and cultural history of the Rarh region.
Sanyal would often be invited to be a part of important committees in the collection and preservation of historical records. In 1977, he did a series of interviews in Doordarshan, Kolkata on the impact of Vande Mataram on the freedom movement.
He was a prolific writer. Some of his eminent published researches are given below.
Dr. Ramkrishna Chatterjee did his B.A. in History from St.Paul’s C.M.College and M.A. from Calcutta University. He obtained his Phd. degree from the same university under the supervision of Dr. Amalendu Guha.
He started his teaching journey from Shantipur College. He also taught in Kalyani University and Netaji Institute of Asian Studies. Later he joined the Institute of Development studies as Joint Director.
He had a long association with the learned societies like The Asiatic society (Publication secretary), The History Congress ( General secretary), Itihas Samsad ( Secretary)
He had several publications on Law, Labour and Colonial Plantation System.
Sudip Mondal was a bright alumni of the Department. He joined the Indian Air Force as Pilot Officer. He retired as Air vice-Marshal from the Air Force.
Dr. Patel Graduated in History from St. Paul’S College in 1987 and obtained his M.A. degree from Jadavpur University in 1989. He did his PhD. from JNU, Delhi. He was a former fellow of Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla and currently working as a distinguished professor of history in Rabindra Bharati University, Calcutta.
Dr. Patel has several books which include Communalism, Intelligentsia in Bihar,1870-1930 (Orient Blackswan, 1911), Adhunik Bharat ka Aitihasik Yatharth, Khudiram Bose: Revolutionary Extraordinaire. The prestigious volume namely Labour, Diaspora and Marginality in honour of Professor Sabyasachi Bhattacharya was co - edited by Dr. Patel with Yagati Chinna Rao.
Professor Mondal did his B.A. from St. Paul’s C.M. College in 2000 and M.A. from Calcutta University in 2002. He is now working as Assistant Professor in History, in Chandanagar Government College, West Bengal.
Dr. Pritish Chaudhury graduated from Department of History, St. Paul's College in 2007 and secured his M A. degree from Dr. Hari Singh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. He did his PhD in Archaeology from Janardan Rai Nagar Rajasthan Vidyapeeth ( Deemed) University, Udaipur in 2015. He has another M.A. degree to his credit in Anthropology from IGNOU in 2021.
He is presently working as TGT History from 01.04.2023 at Mayo College, Ajmer, Rajasthan.
Dr. Chaudhury has gathered a wide experience working in several projects as Research Fellow under Anthropological Survey of India under Ministry of Culture, Government of India. He took part in eight National projects in different parts of India.
Dr. Pritish Chaudhary has four books to his credit namely,
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The Department of History provides an extensive array of learning resources, assets, and enriching academic experiences designed to support and enhance teaching-learning process. These offerings cater to diverse interests within the field of history and are aimed at fostering a comprehensive understanding of historical processes, themes, and methodologies.
Among the key assets of the department are:
1. Departmental Seminar Library The department houses a dedicated seminar library with a carefully curated collection of books covering the ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary periods of both Indian and World History. This library serves as a vital academic resource, supporting students and faculty in their coursework, research, and broader historical inquiry.
2. Computer and Printing Facilities To facilitate academic tasks such as preparing research papers, presentations, and assignments, the department provides access to a computer and printing facility. This service ensures that faculty members can efficiently carry out academic work.
3. Digital Tools for Teaching and Learning The department incorporates various digital tools to enhance the learning experience. Platforms like Google Classroom are used to share course materials, manage assignments, and encourage interactive engagement between faculty and students, promoting a more flexible and accessible academic environment.
