The Department of History in our college is as old as the college. It started its journey along with the foundation of the college in 1961 with a handful of students and dedicated teachers. Our department today ranks among one of the best in the colleges affiliated with the West Bengal State University. The department follows the CBCS semester system, as mandated by the UGC and the curriculum strictly adheres to the one prescribed by West Bengal State University for its affiliating colleges. The department offers undergraduate
courses in history in both Honours and general stream.
The greatest strength of the department is its extremely qualified faculty, each one being involved in active academic and research activity. All three permanent faculties have reputed publications against their names, all acclaimed at national and international level. The academic vivacity is clearly reflected in class room environment where the teachers have been able to inculcate a critical spirit and outlook among the young girls. The teachers recognize the extremely challenging backgrounds of the students and their teaching follows a course which defies conventional methods. Departmental and inter disciplinary seminars, student projects, extension lectures, tours to places of historical importance see a 100% involvement and participation of both teachers and students.
It is regrettable that the department with so much potential does not get as many number of students. The low enrollment can be attribute to the general disillusionment about pursuing a conventional subject like history results in shrinkage of student capacity. Plus the heightening cost of studies and the uncertainty of jobs act as serious obstacle for many to carve out a career in academics.
The enthusiastic bunch of students and their cooperation make possible many successful programmes that the department undertakes from time to time. Many of our students are first generation learners who make an honest effort towards self-reliance by engaging themselves in small jobs. Perhaps the opportunity now created through certificate courses in Spoken English, Soft Skill Development, Computer Training, Counselling etc. the students can better exploit the prospects of an expanding job market.
West Bengal State University Syllabus for History (Hons) (with effect from 2018-19)
Ramakrishna Sarada Mission Vivekananda Vidyabhavan is an affiliate college of West Bengal State University and as a rule follows the syllabus drafted by the university for its colleges. Given the multiplicity and extreme diversities of the students coming from far flung areas of the district of North Twenty-Four Paraganas (to which the university caters), a common syllabus helps in bridging the gaps in developing a standardised knowledge about the various aspects of the syllabus. Thus the aim is to make available to the students both information and knowledge about the subject without discriminating them on grounds of merit and other resources. This allows the students to compete at par with the peers and pursue higher degree. The common syllabus serves the purpose of reaching out thereby upholding the principles of equal opportunity for all based on the ideal of social justice.
At a more subjective level, the history honours course has been designed in a way so that the students majoring in the subject form an overall idea and gain knowledge about the nature, scope and meaning of history. At the undergraduate level we strive to make the students realise the importance of interdisciplinary approach to the study of history by drawing references from literature, politics, sociology and geography. We want the students to treat history not just as a narrative depicting the unilinear developments of civilizations, the exploits of the brave and the able or few epoch making events that changed human lives but as the story of complex interaction between human beings and nature, the struggle for existence of the common people, the impact that the so called life changing events had on social, cultural and economic lives of the people. History no longer remains a dull memorization of dates, names and events but comes alive with the achievements and failures of people in shaping the world and the concomitant impact of those in shaping the present times. The more academically inclined students thus appreciates the historians’ craft through reading and differentiating between primary and secondary sources and through macro and micro studies of regional developments.
As mentioned earlier the way university has drafted the history honours syllabus is extremely comprehensive and aimed at developing a sense of history by critical engagement with the raging historical debates dating back to the importance of Mesolithic period in human development, the Neolithic Revolution to the advent of Iron age and its significance in different parts of the world to debates centering around urbanisation in different periods of Indian history, whether there was an Indian feudalism , to collapse of feudalism and development of capitalist modes of production in modern Europe down to understanding key theories a that shaped and concepts that shaped contemporary national and international events. Thus beginning with the study of prehistoric societies and cultures , the course culminates with the repercussion of 9/11event, threat of terrorism and understanding the
impact of neo-imperialism in third world countries. It is a sweeping account of Indian history (ancient, medieval and modern), major developments and transformations that took place in Europe, understanding the end of colonialism in South East Asia and an in depth study of history of China and Japan till the end of the 1940s. in this way students develop their likings and niche for particular areas of study to be pursued at a later stage.
Programme Outcome for CBCS Semester wise Courses in History Honours
| First Year | Course
Duration |
Course Detail | Remarks |
| Semester 1(July-December) | CC I: History of India-I (From Earliest Times to
c.300 BCE) |
The introductory papers follow chronology in terms of the rise and development of human societies from pre historic times globally as well as in India (with greater emphasis). For CC1 the course ends with the developments in 6BCE while CC2 ends with the
study of classical Greece. |
|
|
CC II: Social Formations and the Cultural Patterns of the Ancient World |
|||
| Semester 2 (January-June) | CC III: History of India- II (From c.300BCE – 750CE) | The course helps in understanding the formation of a centralised state under the Mauryas, importance of Ashokan policies , emergence of a syncretic system though contact, confrontation, and conflict till the emergence of the Guptas and their decline leading to the
feudalism debate in Indian history. |
|
|
CC IV: Social Formations & the Cultural Patterns of the Medieval World |
A complete understanding of medieval Europe by studying the classical system developed by Rome till such developments like formation of Islamic empires, major cultural developments like rise of universities till the Crusades | ||
| Second year | Semester 3 (July-December) | CC V: History of India -III (750 CE-1206 CE) | The course introduces the students to early medieval India, the emergence of decentralised political system along with cultural attainments in literature, art and religion leading to the
Bhakti and Sufi movements |
| CC VI: Rise of the Modern West- I | This paper traces the emergence of modern European state system before the start of sea |
| voyages, renaissance and reformation | |||
| CC VII: History of India IV (1206 CE– 1526 CE) | Arab invasions, the political and cultural history of the establishment of Delhi Sultanate along with regional variations form the core of the paper. | ||
| CC VIII: Rise of the Modern West-II | Essential aspects of Renaissance, Reformation, Scientific revolution, Military revolution are taught in detail in this paper. | ||
| CC IX: History of India- V(1526 CE-1757 CE) | Detailed account of the establishment and significance of Mughal rule, its institutions and decline, debate on eighteenth century India and the coming of the British and battle of Plassey form the thrust of the paper. | ||
| CC X: History of India-VI (1757 CE-1857 CE) | Continuation of the earlier paper from battle of plassey and the ideological defence of the British rule in India, economic social and cultural reforms till the outbreak of the Revolt of 1857 form the bulk of the paper | ||
| Third Year |
Semester 5 (July- December) |
CC XI: History of Modern Europe (1789 CE– 1919 CE) | From French Revoltion till the outbreak of the First World war form the subject matter of this course introducing students to the implications of French Revolution, reactions to it, along with Industrial Revolution and the Russian Revolutions and the end of multinational empires in 1919. |
| CC XII: History of India VII (1858 CE-1947CE) | Mainly deals with the history of Indian nationalist struggle against British imperialism, rise od separatism and fundamentalism leading to |
| Indian Independence in 1947 and Partition | |||
| DSE1T Paper I: Aspects of the History of Modern South East Asia I | These two papers introduce the students to Southeast Asia forming the archipelago, establishment, struggle and ultimately gaining independence from various European states,
thereby completing the decolonising process. |
||
| DSE 2 Paper II: Aspects of the History of Modern South East Asia II | |||
| Semester 6 (January –June) | CC XIII: History of India VIII (India since 1947 CE) | The making of the Indian State after 1947 through the adoption of the Constitution, planned economy and the fulfilment of the various dreams associated with the formation of the new state are some of the most important themes discussed. Allows students to form an impression about the Indian nation state and its advancements in the present times. | |
| CC XIV: Trends in World Politics (1919CE-2001 CE) | From the end of the WW 1 through the hey days of WW2, Cold war and its end, emergence of unipolar world to the impact of attack on twin towers are discussed in this paper. | ||
| DSE 3: History of Modern East Asia I (1839 CE-1919 CE) | A very detailed introduction of pre modern China and Japan till the advent of the Europeans and differential impact of colonialism in the two states have been discussed. The papers trace the developments till 1939 that saw Japan emerging as a major military power while trying to understand the internal developments in China till Mao’s emergence. | ||
| DSE 4: History of Modern East Asia II (1919 CE- 1939 CE) |
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State Aided College Teacher (Category –I)
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View ProfileList of eminent academicians and scientists / visitors to the department:
| Name of the Guest | Designation | Subject Of The Talk | Date |
| DrSimonti Sen | Director, West Bengal State Archives | Archives and the Use of History | 13.2.2015 |
| DrKunal Chattopadhyay | Professor of Comparative Literature, Jadavpur University | Imperialism and Globalisation; Pre-revolution Russia and the Bolshevik Revolution | 13.2.2015; 03.10.2012 |
| DrUrvi Mukhopadhyay | Assistant Professor of History, West Bengal State University | The Bhakti Movement In South India With Special Reference To The Role Of Women | 12.10.2012 |
| Prof. IpshitaChanda | Professor of Comparative Literature, Jadavpur University | Buddhism and RabindraNath Thakur: Ideologies Challenging the Social Hierarchies — Reception and Transformation of Outlook | 14.1. 2011 |
| Prof. Nupur Dasgupta | Professor of History, Jadavpur University | Buddhism and RabindraNath Thakur: Ideologies Challenging the Social Hierarchies – An Historical Perspective on Tantric Buddhism and Its Impact on Tagore | 14. 1. 2011 |
| Dr. KausikBandyopadhyay, | Associate Professor in History,West Bengal State University | Sports and Nationalism in Colonial India | 07.12.2011 |
| Prof. Ujjayan Bhattacharya | Professor of History, Vidyasagar University | The State in Eighteenth Century India | 15.12. 2011 |
| Dr.Nibabari Banerjee | PrachinBharaterPrekkhapoteNariNirjatan O BrahmonyobadiNoitikata | 07.02.2017 | |
| Dr. Soma Mukhopadhyay | Manimalar’ Katha: Patachitre Nari o Khamotayan | 10.02.2017 | |
| Dr. SabyasachiChatterjee | Environment and History: Role of Women | 18.08.2017 | |
| Dr.Rajasri Mukhopadhyay | Mughal Paintings | 12.09.2017 | |
| Dr.Sukanya Sarkar | Aspects of Mesopotamian Economy | 16.11.2018 | |
| Dr.Nandini Bhattacharya | Russian Revolution 1917 and the Bolsheviks | 04.12.2018 | |
| Dr.GargiGangopadhyay | Romanticism and Literature | 10.12.2018 | |
| Dr.Chirantan Dasgupta | Urban Revolution in Mesopotamia | 11.09.2019 | |
| Professor Amit Dey | Trends of Sufism in Medieval India | 14.09. 2019 | |
| Dr.GargiGangopadhyay | Romanticism and the Nuances of European Literature and Art | 17.12.2019 |
Events of the Department
Commemorating Centenary Year of Jalianwalabagh Massacre on Februarty 24, 2020
Syllabus Workshop on Social Formations and the cultural Patterns of the Ancient World in collaboration with Department of History West Bengal State University, August 8, 2018
Towards a Better Geriatric Care and Mental health
UNIVERSITY RANK HOLDERS 2011-2020
| Year | Name | Rank | Remarks |
| 2020 | Sriparna Tanti 2nd
Ishita Chatterjee 5th Amrita Samajdar 7th |
||
| 2019 | ? | ||
| 2018 | JayasreeMandol | 2nd | |
| 2017 | X | ||
| 2016 | Suchanda De | 6th | |
Results 2016-2021
| Year | Appeared | Passed | 1St class | University Ranks |
| 2016 | 4 | 4 | x | 6th |
| 2017 | 8 | 8 | x | x |
| 2018 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 2nd |
| 2019 | 10 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 9 | 9 | 3 | 2nd, 5th, 7th |
| 2021 | 11 | 11 | 6 | Not yet announced |
Student Progression 2017-21
| Session | Names of students | PG/ University | NET/SET Roll/ Registration No. | Job Profile | B.Ed. or any other professional course/ Institution |
| 2017-18 |
|
PG- CU | X | X | Bed, ASHUTOSH BED COLLEGE FOR WOMEN, SUNDARBAN |
|
PG- RBU | X | X-Ray Technician At RbDiagonistic Private Limited | X-Ray Technician At Vivo Health Care, Jodhpur Park | |
|
X | X | Office Assistant At A Private Firm | X | |
| 2018-19 |
|
PG, WBSU | X | X | X |
|
PG (DISTANCE, IGNOU) | X | Computer Application Realted Job At A Private Company | ||
|
X | Office Assistant At A Private Company | |||
|
X | X | Self Employed, Does Handicraft Work FRONT DESK RECEPTIONIST AT UMA MEDICAL RELATED INSTITUTE PRIVATE LIMITED | ||
| 2019-20 |
|
Social Worker, Qsyn | B.EdBishnupada Sarkar College of Education | ||
|
CU | X | X | X | |
|
CU | X | X | X | |
|
NSOU (DISTANCE) | X | X | X | |
|
WBSU | X | Office Assistant Svps Limited Industries | X | |
|
NSOU(DISTANCE) | X | X | X | |
|
WBSU | X | X | X | |
|
RBU (DISTANCE) | X | X | X | |
|
WBSU | X | X | X | |
|
WBSU | X | X | X | |
|
WBSU | X | X | X | |
|
WBSU | X | X | X | |
| 2020 – 21 |
|
DHWU | X | X | X |
|
APC COLLEGE WBSU | X | X | X | |
|
CU | X | X | X | |
|
MA | X | X | X | |
|
MA, CU | X | X | X | |
|
X | X | X | D.EL ( COMPUTER DIPLOMA COURSE TCS) | |
|
X | X | X | ‘’ | |
|
X | X | X | Computer It Course. Preapring For Competitive Examinations | |
|
X | X | X | Trainee At Frankfinn Institute Of Air Hostess; Employee At HDFC Bank Loan Department | |
| 2021- 22 |
|
HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT, SNU | |||
|
CS TRAINEE RONAK JHUTHAWAT AND COMPANY;
WORKS WITH MEWAR POLYTEX LIMITED |
| Suchanda De (Entrepreneur in the making, owns a boutique, completed a diploma course in Textile designing, completed Master’s degree) | |
 |
I am a proud student of Vidyabhavan- the institution that helped me evolve into the individual I now am. From being a shy teenager, Vidyabhavan moulded me to be a confident young woman ready to take on the challenges of the outside world. I learned to value the significance of the 3Ds- discipline, dedication and determination at Vidyabhavan only. It was in college that I realized how important it is to be confident about oneself, to be selfless and honest. These qualities and the constant encouragement I received from my teachers helped me to be a stronger and better individual, allowed me to pursue my chosen profession. |
| Anindita Bhowmick, Currently Assistant Supervisor | |
 |
Anindita Bhowmick, currently Assistant Supervisor, Air India Engineering Service is one of the ex-students of History department. She later completed her Masters and MPhil from University of Calcutta. A proud alumnus, Anindita strongly feels that the values and life skills she acquired here in the course of her five year stay in the college shaped her outlook towards life, imbued in her such moral ethical standards that they became yardsticks for others to emulate. She cherishes the good conduct certificate she received from the college during the parting days as a feather in the cap amongst her other accolades. Anindita recalls how she was coaxed by one of her departmental teachers Dr Soma Marik to participate in the Recitation and Extempore Competition , overcoming her shyness and some form of stage fright. But when she received the second prize for the event, it became a catalyst for her future endeavours in college. She fondly recalls her association with Bidyutdi our erstwhile monastic teacher who would really at a loss arranging gifts for her. Anindita got the highest marks in History at the Higher Secondary level and her receiving the prize from Vice Chancellor of Calcutta university made her resolve firmer to study History at the undergraduate level. Anindita proudly says that during her job interview, she received special recognition as she was a student of this college. Anindita says that she had received the elementary computer training that was needed for her new assignment from her alma mater. |
| MaitrayeeSarkar (SACT teacher at Department of history RKSMVV) | |
 |
Maitrayee Sarkar, M.A, B.ED, M.Phil, State Aided College Teacher, Ramakrishna Sarada Mission Vivekananda Vidyabhavan. My association with my beloved college dates back years ago when I enrolled myself as a student of History Honours. Little did I know then that along with curricular subjects I would receive training in acquiring knowledge to be devoted and ready to sacrifice for the greater good. In our college soft skill development got special attention and thus we learned to love everyone around us unconditionally. We were empowered with basic life skills like emotion, affection and, sincerity. I still remember my respected teachers who not only taught us but inspired us to take up challenges. I am proud of my college and teachers. I shall be ever grateful to them for their constant guidance and encouragement in my life. |
| Writosree Mukherjee Subject matter expert, WIPRO Limited Hyderabad | |
 |
The formative years of my life at Vidyabhavan is unforgettable. I was very nervous when I got admitted. But all my doubts were cleared when classes started. I was an average student. I found great happiness in dancing and singing more than studies. I still remember how my teachers and Mataji used to encourage me to pursue singing and dancing along with the studies. I feel so indebted to them for their cooperation and guidance. It’s been 11 years since I passed out, but the phenomenal life lessons which Vidyabhavan has taught me, has shaped my life. Today whatever I am, my college has an important part to play in it. I shall never be able to thank my college enough. |
| Pradipta Saha Modak | |
 |
Academic Counsellor at Carreograph Institute of Management Studies is an ex-student of the Department. Pradipta was a bright student and a fantastic dancer. We are glad that Pradipta is doing so well at the professional level. |
