Burdwan Raj College

Burdwan Raj College traces its origins to 1817, when Maharaj Tej Chand established an Anglo-vernacular school in his palace at Burdwan. In 1854, Maharaja Mahatab Chand expanded and renamed it the 'High English School'. In 1881, Maharaja Aftab Chand moved the school to Natunganj and introduced Liberal Arts courses under permission from the University of Calcutta, renaming the school 'Raj Collegiate School' and the college 'Burdwan Raj College'. The institution was funded entirely by the maharaja's estate until the West Bengal government took over its patronage in 1956 under a sponsoring scheme, ending its affiliation with the University of Calcutta. It became affiliated with the University of Burdwan in 1960. Under officer-in-charge Mrityunjay Sil (1991–1993), the college rose to become the number one college in West Bengal and 21st in India. It offers undergraduate courses in Science, Arts, and Commerce, and postgraduate study in Bengali, across morning, day, and evening shifts. Departments span subjects such as Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Bengali, English, History, and Commerce. The college is UGC-recognized and NAAC-accredited with a B++ grade in 2016. Notable alumni include Ekramuddin Ahmad, Abul Hashim, and Sukumar Sen.