Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan in the 1st Convocation with founder Vice Chancellor Padma Bhusan Krishna Kanta Handique (middle)
The BKB auditorium - an iconic structure in the campus named after Dr Birinchi Kumar Barua, one of the founders of Gauhati University
Looking Back
A movement to have a university of their own in the state of Assam was started when, a resolution was placed in the Assam Legislative Council on 17 March, 1935.
A widely represented meeting, organised by Assam Association and Sangrakshini Sabha was held at the Curzon Hall, Guwahati on 30 April, 1935.
Coordinated efforts of the Assam Association, the Assamese Students’ Welfare League and the University Action Committee of Nagaon, a movement was launched and “University Day” was observed throughout the state on 22 May, 1935.
Owing to public pressure, Govt of Assam got prepared two schemes — on by JR Cunningham and other by Dr SK Bhuyan. Neither of the schemes was found suitable.
In 1944, Bharat Ratna Gopinath Bordoloi (then the first Prime Minister of undivided Assam), Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (who went to become the 5th President of India) and others toured the entire Assam Valley and collected more than 16 lakhs of rupees as donation as a seed money to establish a university in the region.
A bill was placed in the independent Assam Assembly on 15 October, 1947.Finally the Gauhati University Act came into force on 26th January, 1948.
The great Sanskrit Scholar, Padma Bhusan, Prof Krishna Kanta Handique was the founder Vice Chancellor.
The 1st Convocation was held on 3 Feb, 1951 in which the Convocation Address was delivered by Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, the 1st Vice President of India.
A more detailed history of Gauhati University can be found here.
