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Murari Chand College
View on WikipediaMurari Chand College (Bengali: মুরারিচাঁদ কলেজ) (usually referred to as MC College) was the first college in the Sylhet Division. It was established in 1892, making it the seventh oldest college in Bangladesh. Since then it has played an important role in the educational, cultural, and political spheres of Greater Sylhet.[1]
Key Information
History
[edit]M C College was established on 27 June 1892 by Raja Girish Chandra Roy of Roynagar, Sylhet with four teachers and 18 students. The college was named after his maternal great-grandfather, Murari Chand Roy. It was located beside the present Raja GC School in Bandar Bazar. At the beginning it was a proprietary college funded by Chandra himself. The original college building collapsed in the 1897 Assam earthquake, of which Chandra himself was a victim. Though he survived the quakes, the calamity made him financially vulnerable. It was not possible for him to run the college from his own resources from thereon. He urged the government to take over the college so that it could continue as an educational institution. The government took over the college in 1908 after the death of Chandra. Then it became an aided college. On 1 April 1912, the college become fully government administered and was considered as an affiliated college of the University of Calcutta.
In 1916, Syed Abdul Majid upgraded Murari Chand College's status to first grade degree level and laid the school's foundation stone in Thackeray Hills alongside William Sinclair Marris in 1921.[2][3][4][5]
Abdul Khaliq Choudhury of Bijli (1886-1948) was the first Muslim student of the college. He was a member of the Assam council from 1921 to 1936 as well as the South Sylhet Local Board and Dhaka University Syndicate.[6]
In 1925, the college moved to its current campus at Thackarey Hills (now Tilagarh). It is spread on an area of 112 acres of land of a beautiful natural set-up. In 1942, the golden jubilee of the college was observed by the publishing of the Murari Chand College Golden Jubilee Volume. After the Partition of India in 1947, the college became an affiliate of the University of Dhaka. It then became an affiliate of the University of Chittagong in 1968. Finally in 1992, it became an affiliate of the National University, Bangladesh.
In 2001, the college had 130 teachers and 6,000 students. There are seven residential hostels for students, which is one of the best residential arrangements of students at the college level in Bangladesh. In 2000, the college won the national award as the best educational institution.
The library of M C College is famous for its collection of books, which numbers around 100,000.[2]
Currently, all the students of HSC first year obtained GPA 5 in SSC.
Academic departments
[edit]Arts
[edit]- English
- History
- Islamic History and Culture
- Islamic Studies
- Bangla
- Philosophy
Sciences
[edit]- Botany
- Zoology
- Chemistry
- Physics
Social Sciences
[edit]- Economics
- Political Science
- Sociology
Infrastructure and campus
[edit]
There are currently nine academic buildings in the college. They consist of classrooms, a library, department offices, etc., and are mainly used to conduct classes. Almost all of the departments have their own academic buildings.
The central library of the college is one of the oldest in the country. It houses a huge number of volumes; many of them are rare. The library is widely used by researchers. It holds more than 60,000 books.
The botanical garden is run by the botany department and is the only of its kind in the Sylhet Division. The Zoology department runs a zoological museum which contains a collection of different animals.
The college has two hostels, one for males and one for females. The male hostel is made up of six blocks, with five blocks for Muslim students and one block for Hindu students. Another four-storey hostel is being built next to the hostel pond.
Extra-curricular activities
[edit]The first and old organisations of MC College include Mohona Cultural Organisation.[7] There are 3 rover units and 1 girl in-rover unit run by the Bangladesh Scouts. The Mainamati Battalion of the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps have a platoon here. On 14 November 2017, the Murari Chand Debate Society (MCDS) was established. The MCDS won first place amongst the Sylhet Division in Democracy International's Debate Championship 2018. Other activities include the Murari Chand College Press Club, Murari Chand Poetry Council, Dhrubak Club, Tourist Club, Theatre Murari Chand, Cultural Organisation, Chemistry Club, Botanical Society and Economics Club.
Principal
[edit]Professor Golam Ahmed Khan has been appointed as the new principal of MC College. This information was revealed in a notification signed by Md. Mahbub Alam, Deputy Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Department of the Ministry of Education, on Wednesday (July 2, 2025). Prior to this, he was the principal of Fenchuganj Degree College, and before that, he served as the head of the Botany Department at MC College.
The previous principal was Abul Anam Md. Reaz, who previously served as the Head of the Physics Department of the College and the Principal of Sylhet Government College.
Notable alumni
[edit]This article's list of alumni may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy. (February 2021) |
- Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, economist[8]
- Sultan Md. Mansur Ahmed, Bangladeshi politician
- Dewan Mohammad Azraf, poet[9]
- Shegufta Bakht Chaudhuri, governor of Bangladesh Bank (1987–1992) and advisor of the first Caretaker government of Bangladesh[10]
- Moinul Hoque Choudhury, Assam minister
- Enamul Haque Chowdhury, Jatiya Party politician
- Farid Uddin Chowdhury, teacher, businessman and politician
- Shafiqur Rahaman Chowdhury, politician
- Mohammed Forash Uddin, former governor, Bangladesh Bank
- Joy Bhadra Hagjer, former MP of India; former HAD; Veterinary Minister Government of Assam
- Altaf Husain, former editor of the Dawn national English daily newspaper and former industry minister (1965–68).
- Syed Manzoorul Islam, writer
- Mohammad Ataul Karim, Bangladeshi-American scientist; executive vice chancellor and provost of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth[11]
- Khalil Ullah Khan, Bangladeshi actor
- Mufti Nurunnessa Khatun, botanist, teacher, and horticulturist.[12]
- Shah AMS Kibria, economist and ex-finance minister
- Abdul Malik, cardiologist
- Hafiz Ahmed Mazumder, businessman, politician and educationist
- Habibur Rahman (Tota Mia), member of the first Jatiya Sangsad
- Abul Mal Abdul Muhit, Finance minister of Bangladesh
- Nurul Islam Nahid, Education Minister of Bangladesh
- Saifur Rahman, former finance minister of Bangladesh
- Shafiqur Rahman, physician, politician as Ameer of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami
- Niharranjan Ray, historian[13]
- Nirmalendu Chowdhury, famous folk singer and lyricist
- Abu Taher, pro-independence fighter and leftist politician
- Prabodh Chandra Sen, Indian rhyme expert, rabindranath scholar and historian
References
[edit]- ^ "Public". MC College.
- ^ a b Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir, eds. (2012). "Murari Chand College". Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir, eds. (2012). "Majid, Khan Bahadur Syed Abdul". Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ Dr Ziauddin Ahmed (24 February 2018). খান বাহাদুর আবদুল মাজিদ এক উজ্জ্বল নক্ষত্র. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ খানবাহাদুর সৈয়দ আব্দুল মজিদ কাপ্তান মিঞা বিস্মৃত ইতিহাসের আলোকিত পুরুষ. The Daily Sangram (in Bengali). 23 April 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ Chakraborti, Bikul (17 Jun 2017). যাদের চিন্তা চেতনা ও কর্ম মৌলভীবাজার, সিলেট ও বাংলাদেশতথা ভারতীয় উপমহাদেরশের পট পরিবর্তনের ধারক (in Bengali). Patakuri. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ "সিলেটে সংস্কৃতির আলো ছড়াচ্ছে এমসি কলেজের মোহনা". www.sylhetview24.net.
- ^ Banu, Nilufar; Quaderi, Shahed (2002). "About Q K Ahmed". In Biswas, Asit K.; Brichieri-Colombi, J. S. A.; Chowdhury, Amirul Islam; Rasheed, K B Sajjadur (eds.). Contemporary Issues in Development: Essays in honour of Q K Ahmed. Academic Press and Publishers. p. xxxvii. OCLC 52269433.
- ^ Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir, eds. (2012). "Azraf, Dewan Mohammad". Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ Shibli, Abdullah (15 November 2020). "A life dedicated to public service". The Daily Star (Opinion).
- ^ "UMass Dartmouth appoints new provost". May 7, 2013.
- ^ Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir, eds. (2012). "Khatun, Mufti Nurunnessa". Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ Roy, Neehar Ranjan. Bangaleer Itihas. Calcutta: Dey's Publishing.
External links
[edit]- Behind the Scene. Star Insight. 26 May 2007.
- Sylhet int’l trade fair uncertain. The Daily Star. 25 March 2006.
- https://mccollege.edu.bd/
Murari Chand College
View on GrokipediaHistory
Founding and Early Development
Murari Chand College originated from Murari Chand High School, established in 1886 by Raja Girish Chandra Roy, a local nobleman of Sylhet, who named the institution after his maternal grandfather, Babu Murari Chand Roy.[1] In 1892, the high school was upgraded to a second-grade college, commencing operations on 27 June under the affiliation of the University of Calcutta, with an initial enrollment of 18 students taught by 4 faculty members focused on the F.A. (Intermediate in Arts) course.[1][2] Shotis Chandra Ray served as the first principal during this foundational phase.[2] Initially, the college shared a single building and teaching staff with the adjacent high school, operating amid limited infrastructure that constrained expansion.[1] The institution encountered a near-existential crisis in 1906 owing to stringent new regulations from the University of Calcutta but obtained government recognition and grants in 1908, stabilizing its finances and academic standing.[1][2] By 1916, public fundraising enabled the upgrade to first-grade status in July, alongside the introduction of degree-level courses, marking a pivotal advancement in its academic scope.[1][2] Further progress included land acquisition for a permanent campus on Thackeray Hill (Tilagarh), with the foundation stone laid on 19 August 1921 and formal inauguration on 27 July 1925, establishing a dedicated site spanning 150 acres.[1] These developments positioned the college as Sylhet's earliest center for higher education, fostering steady growth despite resource constraints.[1]Expansion and Key Milestones
In 1916, the college achieved a pivotal academic expansion by upgrading from an intermediate-level institution to a full degree college, with financial support covering 50% of expenses from provincial authorities, enabling the introduction of bachelor's programs under Calcutta University.[2] A major infrastructural milestone occurred on July 27, 1925, when the college relocated from its original Bandarbazar site to the expansive 144-acre Tilagarh campus (formerly Thackarey Hills), donated and facilitated by Khan Bahadur Syed Abdul Majid, who had earlier pledged enhancements as Assam's education minister in 1921; this move supported increased enrollment and facilities for growing student numbers.[3][4] Subsequent developments included the observance of the college's Golden Jubilee in 1942, underscoring its regional prominence, followed by post-World War II expansions in faculty and courses amid rising demand in Sylhet Division.[4] By the late 20th century, the institution broadened its academic scope to encompass honors and master's levels across multiple disciplines, culminating in offerings of 15 honors subjects and 16 master's programs by the 2020s, alongside higher secondary science streams, with enrollment expanding to approximately 15,000 students on the modernized campus.[3][5]Post-Independence Challenges and Growth
Following Bangladesh's independence in 1971, Murari Chand College faced significant challenges in resuming operations, including a shortage of teachers that led to the postponement of Masters (Part 1) courses.[1] The institution's students had actively participated in the Liberation War, contributing to disruptions in academic continuity and infrastructure maintenance amid the broader national reconstruction efforts.[2] In response to these hurdles, the college initiated academic expansions, starting with the introduction of an Honours course in Botany in 1972.[1] It gained affiliation with the National University in 1992, enabling the launch of Honours programs in Zoology and Sociology, followed by Masters programs in these subjects.[1] Further growth occurred in the 2004–05 session with the addition of Honours courses in Psychology, Islamic History and Culture, History, and Statistics.[1] The college, which had been renamed Sylhet Government College in 1966, had its original name restored in 1988 by Education Secretary Hedayet Ahmed Choudhury.[1] By the early 21st century, enrollment had expanded to approximately 10,000 students across 19 departments offering Honours and Masters programs, supported by nine academic buildings on its 150-acre campus.[2] However, persistent challenges included shortages of classrooms and faculty, as well as deteriorating pre-independence infrastructure, such as the 1920s-era Science Block and Power House, which remain unfit for use or renovation as of 2024.[2][6]Academic Programs and Faculty
Departments and Offered Courses
Murari Chand College offers academic programs affiliated with the National University of Bangladesh, including Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) in the science stream, Bachelor of Arts (Pass) courses, Honours degrees in 15 subjects, and Master's degrees in 16 subjects across its departments in the arts and science faculties, with no commerce faculty.[1][3] The arts and social sciences departments provide Honours and Master's programs in Bangla, English, Philosophy, History, Islamic History and Culture, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, and Psychology.[1] The science departments offer similar programs in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, and Statistics.[1] Additionally, Islamic Studies is available exclusively at the Master's level.[1]| Faculty | Departments Offering Honours and Master's | Master's Only |
|---|---|---|
| Arts and Social Sciences | Bangla, English, Philosophy, History, Islamic History and Culture, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Psychology | - |
| Science | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Statistics | - |
| - | - | Islamic Studies |
