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Asia's Largest University: India's Colonial-Era Revival
13 Mar
Summary
- Banaras Hindu University is Asia's largest residential university.
- It was established in Varanasi over 110 years ago.
- BHU aims to educate youth with Indian civilisational values.
More than 110 years ago, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) was established in Varanasi, a city renowned for its ancient scholarly traditions. Founded with a nationalistic vision during India's colonial period, BHU aimed to instill civilisational values and character in its students. Today, it is recognized as Asia's largest residential university, with a sprawling campus encompassing over 1,300 acres and 11 villages, functioning much like an academic city.
The university's origins trace back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a time when Indian thinkers sought to reshape education to regain cultural and intellectual strength. Annie Besant played a pivotal role, founding the Central Hindu College in 1898 and later the Central Hindu Girls' School in 1904. These institutions, along with Sri Ranveer Sanskrit Vidyalaya, formed the nucleus for the future BHU.
Madan Mohan Malaviya, a prominent nationalist, shared the vision for a comprehensive Indian university. His plans converged with Besant's efforts, leading to the Banaras Hindu University Act in 1915 and the formal foundation laying in 1916. The university was conceived as a large residential campus to foster a unique academic environment.
