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The Murshidabad University Act, 2018, West Bengal Act XVIII of 2018, Part-III, Acts of the West Bengal Legislature, Law Department Legislative Notification, Published in The Kolkata Gazette (Extraordinary), ASVINA 9, Monday, October 1, 2018, and Kolkata Gazette notification no. 130L/OM-61L/2021 dated 04.06.2021 established the university, which opened its doors on June 4, 2021 in Berhampore, Murshidabad, West Bengal (Principal, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad). Upgrading Krishnath College is the first step towards the establishment of a university in Murshidabad (one of the oldest and leading colleges of West Bengal, with a great heritage of 168 years). The West Bengali government has started the process of upgrading Krishnath College into a university called "Murshidabad University" while preserving the college's history.

The 168-year-old Krishnath College was initially established by the Government of Bengal under the East India Company on November 18, 1853 by notification number: 1913, on October 20, 1953, with the help of a number of local commoners. However, Raja Kr. had originally conceived the idea of founding both the college and the university. Raja Kr. was a visionary idealist and a Renaissance man. But ever since, the Cossimbazar Raj family has played a crucial role in the establishment and development of this college.

Therefore, it is noteworthy that the founding of this Institution constituted a cultural synthesis between feudalism and democracy that was almost ever imagined in that distant period. Since 1853, this college, which is deserving of the designation of a heritage institution, has been steadfastly working to promote and cultivate education among the residents of four districts, namely Murshidabad, Nadia, Malda, and Birbhum.

The college's nearly 168-year history shows that it has produced a number of distinguished academics who have made important contributions to India's and Bengal's intellectual awakening. The brothers Radha Kumud and Radha Kamal Mukherjee, erudite professors, made significant contributions to Indian history and Indian economics, as did the eminent orientalist scholar Ram Das Sen, the renowned archaeologist Rakhal Das Banerjee, who is known for discovering the site of Mohenjo-Daro in Sind, and the Radha Das Banerjee. The historical study of Bengali literature was pioneered by Ramgoti Nayratna. One of India's most influential thinkers of the modern era is Brojendra Nath Seal, a brilliant philosopher. Renowned jurist Sir Rashbehari Ghosh, Nationalist leader Sir Gurudas Banerjee, renowned international historian K.K. Dutta, and the legendary jurist Sir Gurudas Banerjee are among the prominent jurists.

 

Brojendra Nath Seal, the great Philosopher and one of the greatest intellectuals of present day India Sir Gurudas Banerjee the famous Jurist savant, the Nationalist leader and eminent Jurist Sir Rashbehari Ghosh, the renowned International Historian K.K.Dutta, the notable political philosopher Bimanbehari Mazumdar, the Bengali poet Kalidas Roy – these are some illustrious names among others who were associated with this college in different capacities. Surely India is proud of this premier institution. The library containing roughly 60,000 titles of varied interests is an object of both glory and pride of Bengal. Its ancient collection provokes attraction and envy in many minds. The institution extends its accommodation of about 450 students coming outside Berhampore in its three spacious large hostels (two for boys and two for girls). It was a fact that the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee was herself eager to establish a University nearly in every district of West Bengal; and as a part of her educational policy, she responded positively to the proposal for the up-gradation of Krishnath College into a University. No wonder, the declaration for the establishment of a University in Murshidabad and that ultimately, according to the original proposal and memorandum, by the suggested up-gradation of Krishnath College into a University was only a matter of time. The passing of the Murshidabad University Act in 2018 by the Government of West Bengal paved the way to the required transfer of the ownership of the land and all establishments of Krishnath College by a ‘Deed of Gift’ to the Government of West Bengal; and this accelerated the subsequent developments towards the virtual up-gradation of Krishnath College into a University. Eventually, the functional set up of the Murshidabad University along with the joining of the first Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Sujata Bagchi Banerjee start the logical fulfilment of the expectation of the people of Murshidabad. Now the Murshidabad University marches on its path of present determination, future dream and aspirations to become an internationally reputed temple of learning in the District of Murshidabad.