About the Department

Established in August 1956, the Department of Sanskrit at Jadavpur University began its journey under the guidance of renowned scholars such as Prof. Gaurinath Sastri and Prof. Sadananda Bhaduri. Over the decades, it has evolved into a nationally recognized centre of excellence in Sanskrit studies, offering B.A., M.A. (Day & Evening), M.Phil., and Ph.D. programmes with a thriving student base.

Under the leadership of legendary figures like Prof. Ramaranjan Mukherji, the department witnessed significant growth. Since then, it has been enriched by the contributions of numerous distinguished scholars, including Prof. Sukumari Bhattacharji, Prof. Bhabaniprasad Bhattacharya, Prof. Rabisankar Banerji, Prof. Bijoya Goswami, and many others, with Prof. Ashok Kumar Mahata serving as the current Head since 2024-.

The Department was recognized as a UGC Department of Special Assistance (DSA) in 1989 and elevated to a Centre of Advanced Study (CAS) in Sanskrit in 2005—the second such centre in India. It also houses a University-funded Centre for Indology since 1997 and has hosted prestigious events like the All-India Oriental Conference (1969, 1997). Academic activities include regular UGC refresher courses, national and international seminars, and collaborative programmes with foreign universities such as La Sapienza (Rome) and Bologna University (Italy). The department continues to attract foreign students and scholars from across the globe.

Its official research journal, Anvīkṣā, has been in publication since 1966, producing 46 volumes to date. The department also boasts an impressive library, maintained first by Dr. Shyamali Basu and currently by Ms. Sruti Mallick.

With a team of permanent, guest, and part-time faculty, and over 500 students, the Department of Sanskrit continues to uphold its legacy of academic excellence, contributing significantly to the preservation and dissemination of India’s ancient wisdom.

Faculty Section

Faculty

ANVĪKṢĀ

About the Department