Initially, it functioned under the University of Calcutta and later, on 23 September 1887, the University of Allahabad was established, making it the fifth university established in colonial India after Calcutta university, Bombay university, Madras university, and Lahore's Punjab university.
It began as an affiliating and examining body for graduate and postgraduate degrees with a classical orientation and the responsibility for secondary education as well. Between 1891 and 1922, Government Science College, Jabalpur, the oldest science college of India was affiliated to the university. By 1904 the university established its own teaching departments and instituted doctoral research programs. The University Senate hall was opened by the lieutenant-governor, Sir John Hewett, in 1912.
In 1921, with the announcement of the Allahabad University Act of 1921, the Muir Central College merged with the university, which was reorganized as a unitary teaching and residential university. Over the next few years its affiliated colleges were transferred to Agra University and the task of conducting secondary-level examinations was relocated.
Night view of Vizianagaram Hall, University of Allahabad
In 1951, the university (while maintaining its fundamental unitary character) recognized certain local institutions as associated colleges authorized to teach undergraduate courses under the Faculty of Arts, Commerce, Science, and Law.
In view of these achievements, as well as its position among the universities of Uttar Pradesh, the state government accorded it formal recognition in July 1992 as a 'premier institution' (Vishesh Agrani Sanstha). During the university's centenary celebrations in 1987 there were demands from students, faculty, and employees for the granting of status as a central university.
In 2003 the union cabinet decided to restore the central universality status of the university.[9] This central university status was finally restored in 2005, through The University of Allahabad Act by the Parliament of India, which also declared the university an Institution of National Importance.[10]
The campus is spread around the city of Prayagraj across the area of Old Katra and Bank Road. It consists of major five faculties, namely Science, Arts, commerce, law, management faculties with the arts faculty housing the Administrative Block of Chatham Lines. It has numerous residential hostels for students.
Vizianagaram Hall in 2007 (since renovated): part of Faculty of Science
Aerial view of Senate Hall, University of Allahabad, Faculty of Art @Other.
The president of India is the visitor and the governor of Uttar Pradesh is the chief rector of the university. The chancellor is the ceremonial head of the university while the executive powers rest with the vice-chancellor. The Court, the Executive Council, the Academic Council, the Board of Faculties and the Finance Committee are the administrative authorities of the university.
The University Court is the supreme authority of the university and has the power to review, the broad policies and programs of the university and to suggest measures for the improvement and development of the university; The Executive Council is the highest executive body of the university. The Academic Council is the highest academic body of the university and is responsible for the co-ordination and exercising general supervision over the academic policies of the university. It has the right to advise the Executive Council on all academic matters. The Finance Committee is responsible for recommending financial policies, goals, and budgets.[12]
In November 2020, Professor Sangita Srivastava was appointed as the new regular vice chancellor of Allahabad University. She was the first woman elected to this post at the university.[13]
There was much controversy related to the merger of the Motilal Nehru Medical College with the university, which was later resolved. The High Court of Allahabad passed an order directing that the integration of the medical college with the university should be completed by 1 October 2006.[14]
Allahabad University has been accessed and accredited to grade "B++" by NAAC with a score of 2.84 CGPA.[16] The university was ranked 401–450 in Asia by the QS World University Rankings of 2020.[15]
Onkar Singh, Vice Chancellor of Veer Madho Singh Bhandari Uttarakhand Technical University, Dehradun and Founder Vice Chancellor of Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology, Gorakhpur
The Muir Central College, Allahabad: its origin foundation, and completion, by William Henry Wright, published in 1985, Govt. Press, North-Western Provinces and Oudh (Allahabad).
Materials and Motifs of the Philosophical Traditions of Allahabad University, by Sangam Lal Pandey. Published by Ram Nath Kaul Library of Philosophy, University of Allahabad, 1981.
Hundred years of Allahabad University, by Moti Lal Bhargava. Published by Ashish Pub. House, 1987. ISBN81-7024-162-6.
