The University of Delhi: A Comprehensive Account of Resilience, Knowledge, Leadership and Growth

After the shift of the capital of British India to Delhi in 1911, the imperial administration noted the need for a new educational institution in the city. The University of Delhi was ultimately established in 1922, after many delays and a decade-long struggle.

Though originally conceived to serve imperial interests, the university underwent transformative changes. It has played an important role in the growth and development of the nation-participating in the nationalist movement, aiding refugees during Partition, and embodying the democratic traditions of independent India even in turbulent times. Over its hundred-year-long journey, the university expanded across the city and evolved to represent the mosaic of the nation, mirroring its struggles and aspirations. It provided an environment for academic and non-academic learning, a vibrant and open space for discussion, and maintained its standard of education and research.

This book presents and commemorates the long journey of the University of Delhi. Based on hitherto-unused archival material, the research here covers the early days of the university's conception to its growth over the decades, revealing different and complex facets of a century-old institution.