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| religious_affiliation = [[Baptists|Baptist]]
| religious_affiliation = [[Baptists|Baptist]]
| rector =  
| rector =  
| location    = 8, William Carey Road<br/>[[Serampore]] – 712201<br/>[[West Bengal]], [[India]]
| location    = 8, William Carey Road<br />[[Serampore]] – 712201<br />[[West Bengal]], India
| established  = {{start date and age|df=yes|15 July 1818}}
| established  = {{start date and age|df=yes|15 July 1818}}
| principal    = Vansanglura Vanchhawng
| principal    = Vansanglura Vanchhawng
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|city=}}
|city=}}


'''Serampore College''' is located in [[Serampore]], in [[West Bengal]] state, [[India]]. Established in 1818, it is the second oldest college in the country after [[Presidency University, Kolkata|Presidency College]] Calcutta, and one of the oldest educational institutes in India that is still functional.<ref>[http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/oldest-universities/1/479257.html Seven oldest universities in India: All you need to know]</ref> The college consists of two entities: The theological faculty and a separate college with faculties of arts, science, commerce.
'''Serampore College''' is located in [[Serampore]], in [[West Bengal]] state, India. Established in 1818, it is the third oldest college in the country after [[CMS College Kottayam|CMS College]], Kottayam and [[Presidency University, Kolkata|Presidency College]] Calcutta, and one of the oldest continuously operating educational institutes in India.<ref>[http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/oldest-universities/1/479257.html Seven oldest universities in India: All you need to know]</ref> The college consists of two entities: The theological faculty and a separate college with faculties of arts, science, commerce.


The [[Senate of Serampore College (University)]] runs the academic administration of all the theological colleges affiliated with it.  The council of Serampore College holds a Danish charter and had the power to confer degrees in any subject, which it currently exercises only for conferring theological degrees as recommended by the senate.<ref>[[World Council of Churches]], [http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/education/mf101.pdf Ministerial Formation], July 2003. Retrieved 23 April 2006.</ref>
The [[Senate of Serampore College (University)]] is in charge of the academic administration of all the theological colleges affiliated with it.  The council of Serampore College holds a Danish charter and had the power to confer degrees in any subject, which it currently exercises only for conferring theological degrees as recommended by the senate.<ref>[[World Council of Churches]], [http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/education/mf101.pdf Ministerial Formation], July 2003. Retrieved 23 April 2006.</ref>


Degrees are awarded for [[arts]], [[science]] and [[commerce]] students of the Serampore College by the [[University of Calcutta]].<ref>Education Info India [http://www.educationinfoindia.com/University%20Of%20Calcutta.htm Colleges under University of Calcutta], July 2003. Retrieved 23 April 2006.</ref>
Degrees to students at the college in the fields of [[arts]], [[science]] and [[commerce]] are awarded by the [[University of Calcutta]].<ref>Education Info India [http://www.educationinfoindia.com/University%20Of%20Calcutta.htm Colleges under University of Calcutta], July 2003. Retrieved 23 April 2006.</ref>


For theology, the college is affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University).  Several theological colleges and seminaries all over India including [[Nepal]], [[Bangladesh]] and [[Sri Lanka]] are affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University).
For theology, the college is affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University).  Several theological colleges and seminaries all over India, [[Nepal]], [[Bangladesh]] and [[Sri Lanka]] are affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University).


==Motto==
==Motto==
Line 38: Line 38:


==Authority to issue degrees and accreditation==
==Authority to issue degrees and accreditation==
The [[Serampore Trio]] - [[William Ward (missionary)|William Ward]], [[William Carey (missionary)|William Carey]], & [[Joshua Marshman]], started the college with 37 students in 1818.<ref>http://www.hooghly.gov.in/ser_hist.htm</ref> King [[Frederick VI of Denmark]]<ref>http://seramporecollege.org/a-s-c/about/history/</ref> originally granted a [[Royal Charter]] giving Serampore College the status of a university to confer degrees on 23 February 1827.<ref>http://seramporecollege.org/a-s-c/about/council/</ref> It became the third Danish University after the ones in [[Copenhagen]] and [[Kiel]].<ref>https://en.natmus.dk/historical-knowledge/research/research-projects/the-serampore-initiative/historical-background/</ref> With the later establishment of the [[University of Calcutta]] in 1857 the arts, science and commerce parts of Serampore College were affiliated to the University of Calcutta. However, Serampore College still today continues to enjoy the privilege of conferring its own degrees in [[theology]] under the power vested by the Charter and Act of Serampore College.  It is a private Grant-in-aid Minority College and is recognized by the [[University Grants Commission (India)|University Grants Commission]] under Section 2(f) and 12(b) of the UGC Act, 1956.<ref>{{cite web|title=UGC Act-1956|url=http://mhrd.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/upload_document/ugc_act.pdf|website=mhrd.gov.in/|publisher=Secretary, University Grants Commission|access-date=1 February 2016}}</ref><!--Extracted from "National Assessment and Accreditation Council Bangalore" 2004 report on the College - which was rated A grade-->
The [[Serampore Trio]] - [[William Ward (missionary)|William Ward]], [[William Carey (missionary)|William Carey]], & [[Joshua Marshman]], started the college with 37 students in 1818.<ref>http://www.hooghly.gov.in/ser_hist.htm</ref> King [[Frederick VI of Denmark]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://seramporecollege.org/a-s-c/about/history/|title=Faculty of Arts Science Commerce – Serampore College – "Glorious 200 years: Established in 1818"}}</ref> originally granted a [[Royal Charter]] giving Serampore College the status of a university to confer degrees on 23 February 1827.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://seramporecollege.org/a-s-c/about/council/|title=Faculty of Arts Science Commerce – Serampore College – "Glorious 200 years: Established in 1818"}}</ref> It became the third Danish University after the ones in [[Copenhagen]] and [[Kiel]].<ref>https://en.natmus.dk/historical-knowledge/research/research-projects/the-serampore-initiative/historical-background/</ref> With the later establishment of the [[University of Calcutta]] in 1857 the arts, science and commerce parts of Serampore College were affiliated to the University of Calcutta. However, Serampore College still today continues to enjoy the privilege of conferring its own degrees in [[theology]] under the power vested by the Charter and Act of Serampore College.  It is a private Grant-in-aid Minority College and is recognized by the [[University Grants Commission (India)|University Grants Commission]] under Section 2(f) and 12(b) of the UGC Act, 1956.<ref>{{cite web|title=UGC Act-1956|url=http://mhrd.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/upload_document/ugc_act.pdf|website=mhrd.gov.in/|publisher=Secretary, University Grants Commission|access-date=1 February 2016}}</ref><!--Extracted from "National Assessment and Accreditation Council Bangalore" 2004 report on the College - which was rated A grade-->


==History==
==History==
[[File:OldSeramporeCollege.jpg|right|225px]]
Since [[Serampore]] was then a Danish colony, [[Frederick VI of Denmark|King Frederick VI]], the King of Denmark, issued Serampore College its Royal Charter of Incorporation on 23 February 1827, in [[Copenhagen]], Denmark (Charter, 1, Charter, 2, Charter, 3).  The charter came in response to Joshua Marshman's visit to King Frederick in August 1826; the charter gave Serampore College the privilege of awarding degrees in Arts and Theology. [[William Carey (missionary)|William Carey]], [[Joshua Marshman]], and [[John Clark Marshman]] (Joshua's son) were designated as members of the first Council. At its opening, the Trio released a prospectus which proposed "''A College for the instruction of Asiatic Christian and other Youth in Eastern Literature and European Science''." The college was open to all persons of any caste or creed, and the founders ensured that no denominational test would apply to faculty members. The charter has also been confirmed by the Bengal Govt Act. IV of 1918.
The status accorded by the Danish Charter has since been re-affirmed for the study of [[Theology]]<ref>Sankar Ray, The Hindu (Business Line), 11 April 2008 ''Almost a century later, the charter was endorsed officially under the Bengal Govt Act IV of 1918. ''[http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/life/2008/04/11/stories/2008041150100400.htm]</ref> and now forms the basis for degrees of all levels conferred by over forty theological colleges throughout India, and is administered by the Senate.It was incorporated by Royal Charter of 1827 and Bengal Government Act. IV of 1918.


===Founding by English missionaries===
===Founding by English missionaries===
Serampore College is the oldest university in India to be in continuous operation.<ref>[[List of oldest universities in continuous operation#Asia]]</ref> It was founded in 1818 by the [[England|English]] missionaries known as the [[Serampore Trio]]:<ref>{{cite web |title=The Story of Serampore and its College |url=http://www.mergingcurrents.com/book.php?BookSKU=133 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031022220514/http://www.mergingcurrents.com/book.php?BookSKU=133 |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 October 2003 |publisher=mergingcurrents.co |page=IVth edition 2006 page 174}}</ref>
Serampore College is the oldest university in India to be in continuous operation.<ref>[[List of oldest universities in continuous operation#Asia]]</ref> It was founded in 1818 by the English missionaries known as the [[Serampore Trio]]:<ref>{{cite web |title=The Story of Serampore and its College |url=http://www.mergingcurrents.com/book.php?BookSKU=133 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031022220514/http://www.mergingcurrents.com/book.php?BookSKU=133 |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 October 2003 |publisher=mergingcurrents.co |page=IVth edition 2006 page 174}}</ref>
*[[William Carey (missionary)|William Carey]]
*[[William Carey (missionary)|William Carey]]
*[[Joshua Marshman]]
*[[Joshua Marshman]]
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===Original charter from Denmark===
===Original charter from Denmark===
Since [[Serampore]] was then a Danish colony, King [[Frederick VI of Denmark|Frederick VI]], the King of Denmark, issued Serampore College its Royal Charter of Incorporation on 23 February 1827, in [[Copenhagen]], Denmark (Charter, 1, Charter, 2, Charter, 3). The charter came in response to Joshua Marshman's visit to King Frederick in August 1826; the charter gave Serampore College the privilege of awarding degrees in arts and theology.<ref>http://councilofseramporecollege.org/</ref> [[William Carey (missionary)|William Carey]], [[Joshua Marshman]] and [[John Clark Marshman]] (Joshua's son) were designated as members of the first council. At its opening, the Serampore Trio released a prospectus which proposed "''A College for the instruction of Asiatic Christian and other Youth in Eastern Literature and European Science''." The college was open to all people of any caste or creed, and the founders ensured that no denominational test would apply to faculty members. The charter has also been confirmed by the Bengal Government Act IV of 1918.
Since [[Serampore]] was then a Danish colony, King [[Frederick VI of Denmark|Frederick VI]], the King of Denmark, issued Serampore College its Royal Charter of Incorporation on 23 February 1827, in [[Copenhagen]], Denmark (Charter, 1, Charter, 2, Charter, 3). The charter came in response to Joshua Marshman's visit to King Frederick in August 1826; the charter gave Serampore College the privilege of awarding degrees in arts and theology.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://councilofseramporecollege.org/ |title=Council of Serampore College |website=councilofseramporecollege.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809165337/http://councilofseramporecollege.org/ |archive-date=2018-08-09}} </ref> [[William Carey (missionary)|William Carey]], [[Joshua Marshman]] and [[John Clark Marshman]] (Joshua's son) were designated as members of the first council. At its opening, the Serampore Trio released a prospectus which proposed "''A College for the instruction of Asiatic Christian and other Youth in Eastern Literature and European Science''." The college was open to all people of any caste or creed, and the founders ensured that no denominational test would apply to faculty members. The charter has also been confirmed by the Bengal Government Act IV of 1918.


The status accorded by the Danish charter has since been reaffirmed for the study of [[theology]] and now forms the basis for degrees of all levels conferred by over forty theological colleges throughout India and is administered by the senate. It was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1827 and the Bengal Government Act IV of 1918.
The status accorded by the Danish charter has since been reaffirmed for the study of [[theology]] and now forms the basis for degrees of all levels conferred by over forty theological colleges throughout India and is administered by the senate. It was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1827 and the Bengal Government Act IV of 1918.
Line 58: Line 62:


===Control passed back to the British===
===Control passed back to the British===
After 22 February 1845 when [[Denmark]] sold all of its Indian assets to [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|Britain]] the management and operation of the college continued without interruption under the direction of a master and council.  In 1856 the Baptist Missionary Society in England took over the management of the college and, in 1857, the college became affiliated with the newly established University of Calcutta and became a constituent college of that university. In 1883 the college closed as an arts college and began functioning as a Christian Training Institution and a theological institute for the Baptist churches in Bengal.  Affiliating again with the University of Calcutta in 1911, Serampore College, in 1913, was authorised to award the [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree.  The college faculty was interdenominational.
After 22 February 1845 when Denmark sold all of its Indian assets to Britain, the management and operation of the college continued without interruption under the direction of a master and council.  In 1856 the Baptist Missionary Society in England took over the management of the college and, in 1857, the college became affiliated with the newly established University of Calcutta and became a constituent college of that university. In 1883 the college closed as an arts college and began functioning as a Christian Training Institution and a theological institute for the Baptist churches in Bengal.  Affiliating again with the University of Calcutta in 1911, Serampore College, in 1913, was authorised to award the [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree.  The college faculty was interdenominational.


===Twentieth century===
===Twentieth century===
Line 71: Line 75:


The name of the college and its founders are honoured today more widely than just within Christian circles – the Carey Library at Serampore houses 16,000 rare volumes and is used by scholars from across the world.
The name of the college and its founders are honoured today more widely than just within Christian circles – the Carey Library at Serampore houses 16,000 rare volumes and is used by scholars from across the world.
==Honours==
On 7 June 1969, the Indian [[Indian Postal Service|Department of Posts]] issued a [[Postage stamp|stamp]]<ref>[http://www.wmcarey.edu/carey/philnum/serstamp2.jpg Postal Stamp]</ref> and a [[First day of issue|first day cover]]<ref>[http://www.wmcarey.edu/carey/philnum/ser1stday.jpg First Day Cover]</ref> depicting Serampore College.
In 2017, to commemorate the bicentennial anniversary of the university, Denmark's ambassador to India, Mr. Peter Taksøe-Jensen announced that the Danish Government decided to grant 18 outstanding students of Serampore College through the King Frederik VI Scholarship.<ref>https://indien.um.dk/en/news/newsdisplaypage/?newsid=040ce50a-f794-40f1-962e-5d3dcd1e1402 {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref>


==Principals==
==Principals==
Line 122: Line 130:
|-
|-
|}
|}
==Honours==
On 7 June 1969, the Indian [[Indian Postal Service|Department of Posts]] issued a [[Postage stamp|stamp]]<ref>[http://www.wmcarey.edu/carey/philnum/serstamp2.jpg Postal Stamp]</ref> and a [[First day of issue|first day cover]]<ref>[http://www.wmcarey.edu/carey/philnum/ser1stday.jpg First Day Cover]</ref> depicting Serampore College.
In 2017, to commemorate the bicentennial anniversary of the University, Denmark's ambassador to India, Mr. Peter Taksøe-Jensen announced that the Danish Government decided to grant 18 outstanding students of Serampore College through the King Frederik VI Scholarship.<ref>https://indien.um.dk/en/news/newsdisplaypage/?newsid=040ce50a-f794-40f1-962e-5d3dcd1e1402</ref>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
Line 133: Line 137:
File:John.C.Marshman.jpg|[[John Clark Marshman]]
File:John.C.Marshman.jpg|[[John Clark Marshman]]
</gallery>
</gallery>
==History==
[[File:OldSeramporeCollege.jpg|right|225px]]
Since [[Serampore]] was then a Danish colony, [[Frederick VI of Denmark|King Frederick VI]], the King of Denmark, issued Serampore College its Royal Charter of Incorporation on 23 February 1827, in [[Copenhagen]], Denmark (Charter, 1, Charter, 2, Charter, 3).  The charter came in response to Joshua Marshman's visit to King Frederick in August 1826; the charter gave Serampore College the privilege of awarding degrees in Arts and Theology. [[William Carey (missionary)|William Carey]], [[Joshua Marshman]], and [[John Clark Marshman]] (Joshua's son) were designated as members of the first Council. At its opening, the Trio released a prospectus which proposed "''A College for the instruction of Asiatic Christian and other Youth in Eastern Literature and European Science''." The college was open to all persons of any caste or creed, and the founders ensured that no denominational test would apply to faculty members. The charter has also been confirmed by the Bengal Govt Act. IV of 1918.
The status accorded by the Danish Charter has since been re-affirmed for the study of [[Theology]]<ref>Sankar Ray, The Hindu (Business Line), 11 April 2008 ''Almost a century later, the charter was endorsed officially under the Bengal Govt Act IV of 1918. ''[http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/life/2008/04/11/stories/2008041150100400.htm]</ref> and now forms the basis for degrees of all levels conferred by over forty theological colleges throughout India, and is administered by the Senate.It was incorporated by Royal Charter of 1827 and Bengal Government Act. IV of 1918.


== See also ==
== See also ==
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  |year        = 2001  |issue        = 2nd Edition  |url          = http://www.mergingcurrents.com/book.php?BookSKU=3884
  |year        = 2001  |issue        = 2nd Edition  |url          = http://www.mergingcurrents.com/book.php?BookSKU=3884
  |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20040826023412/http://www.mergingcurrents.com/book.php?BookSKU=3884 |url-status    = dead
  |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20040826023412/http://www.mergingcurrents.com/book.php?BookSKU=3884 |url-status    = dead
  |archive-date = 26 August 2004 |format      = &ndash; <sup>[https://scholar.google.co.uk/scholar?hl=en&lr=&q=intitle%3AJohn+Clark+Marshman+%28a+trustworthy+Friend+of+India%29&as_publication=&as_ylo=2001&as_yhi=2001&btnG=Search Scholar search]</sup>}}  
  |archive-date = 26 August 2004}}  
* {{cite journal |author = The Council of Serampore College |title = The Story of Serampore and its College  |year = 2006 |issue = Fourth Edition  |url = http://www.mergingcurrents.com/book.php?BookSKU=133 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20031022220514/http://www.mergingcurrents.com/book.php?BookSKU=133 |url-status = dead  |archive-date = 22 October 2003 |format = &ndash; <sup>[https://scholar.google.co.uk/scholar?hl=en&lr=&q=intitle%3AThe+Story+of+Serampore+and+its+College&as_publication=&as_ylo=2006&as_yhi=2006&btnG=Search Scholar search]</sup>}}
* {{cite journal |author = The Council of Serampore College |title = The Story of Serampore and its College  |year = 2006 |issue = Fourth Edition  |url = http://www.mergingcurrents.com/book.php?BookSKU=133 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20031022220514/http://www.mergingcurrents.com/book.php?BookSKU=133 |url-status = dead  |archive-date = 22 October 2003 }}


==External links==
==External links==
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[[Category:Seminaries and theological colleges affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University)]]
[[Category:Seminaries and theological colleges affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University)]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Hooghly district]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Hooghly district]]
[[Category:History of Kolkata]]
[[Category:19th century in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Serampore]]
[[Category:Serampore]]

Latest revision as of 20:11, 3 June 2022

Serampore College
Serampore College - Hooghly 2017-07-06 0840-0860.tif
Façade of the Serampore College
MottoLatin: Gloriam Sapientes Possidebunt
Established15 July 1818; 206 years ago (15 July 1818)
FoundersWilliam Ward, William Carey, & Joshua Marshman
Religious affiliation
Baptist
PrincipalVansanglura Vanchhawng
Administrative staff
79 (teaching), 30 (non-teaching)
Students2,277
Location
8, William Carey Road
Serampore – 712201
West Bengal, India

22°45′07″N 88°21′05″E / 22.7519011°N 88.3512874°E / 22.7519011; 88.3512874Coordinates: 22°45′07″N 88°21′05″E / 22.7519011°N 88.3512874°E / 22.7519011; 88.3512874
CampusUrban
AffiliationsSenate of Serampore College (University) and University of Calcutta
Websitewww.seramporecollege.org
File:Serampore College logo.png
Serampore College is located in West Bengal
Serampore College
Location in West Bengal
Serampore College is located in India
Serampore College
Serampore College (India)
NAAC 2004 report

Serampore College is located in Serampore, in West Bengal state, India. Established in 1818, it is the third oldest college in the country after CMS College, Kottayam and Presidency College Calcutta, and one of the oldest continuously operating educational institutes in India.[1] The college consists of two entities: The theological faculty and a separate college with faculties of arts, science, commerce.

The Senate of Serampore College (University) is in charge of the academic administration of all the theological colleges affiliated with it. The council of Serampore College holds a Danish charter and had the power to confer degrees in any subject, which it currently exercises only for conferring theological degrees as recommended by the senate.[2]

Degrees to students at the college in the fields of arts, science and commerce are awarded by the University of Calcutta.[3]

For theology, the college is affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University). Several theological colleges and seminaries all over India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University).

Motto[edit]

The college motto is from Proverbs 3:35 in the Vulgate: Gloriam Sapientes Possidebunt, "The wise shall possess glory."

Authority to issue degrees and accreditation[edit]

The Serampore Trio - William Ward, William Carey, & Joshua Marshman, started the college with 37 students in 1818.[4] King Frederick VI of Denmark[5] originally granted a Royal Charter giving Serampore College the status of a university to confer degrees on 23 February 1827.[6] It became the third Danish University after the ones in Copenhagen and Kiel.[7] With the later establishment of the University of Calcutta in 1857 the arts, science and commerce parts of Serampore College were affiliated to the University of Calcutta. However, Serampore College still today continues to enjoy the privilege of conferring its own degrees in theology under the power vested by the Charter and Act of Serampore College. It is a private Grant-in-aid Minority College and is recognized by the University Grants Commission under Section 2(f) and 12(b) of the UGC Act, 1956.[8]

History[edit]

File:OldSeramporeCollege.jpg

Since Serampore was then a Danish colony, King Frederick VI, the King of Denmark, issued Serampore College its Royal Charter of Incorporation on 23 February 1827, in Copenhagen, Denmark (Charter, 1, Charter, 2, Charter, 3). The charter came in response to Joshua Marshman's visit to King Frederick in August 1826; the charter gave Serampore College the privilege of awarding degrees in Arts and Theology. William Carey, Joshua Marshman, and John Clark Marshman (Joshua's son) were designated as members of the first Council. At its opening, the Trio released a prospectus which proposed "A College for the instruction of Asiatic Christian and other Youth in Eastern Literature and European Science." The college was open to all persons of any caste or creed, and the founders ensured that no denominational test would apply to faculty members. The charter has also been confirmed by the Bengal Govt Act. IV of 1918.

The status accorded by the Danish Charter has since been re-affirmed for the study of Theology[9] and now forms the basis for degrees of all levels conferred by over forty theological colleges throughout India, and is administered by the Senate.It was incorporated by Royal Charter of 1827 and Bengal Government Act. IV of 1918.

Founding by English missionaries[edit]

Serampore College is the oldest university in India to be in continuous operation.[10] It was founded in 1818 by the English missionaries known as the Serampore Trio:[11]

Their aim was to give an education in arts and sciences to students of every "caste, colour or country" and to train people for ministry in the growing church in India (See: Christianity in India).

From its beginning the college has been ecumenical but this means that it has no automatic basis of support from any one branch of the Christian church. Prior to 1818, the Serampore Trio had worked together in providing education for their own children and the children, including females, of the native Indians.

Original charter from Denmark[edit]

Since Serampore was then a Danish colony, King Frederick VI, the King of Denmark, issued Serampore College its Royal Charter of Incorporation on 23 February 1827, in Copenhagen, Denmark (Charter, 1, Charter, 2, Charter, 3). The charter came in response to Joshua Marshman's visit to King Frederick in August 1826; the charter gave Serampore College the privilege of awarding degrees in arts and theology.[12] William Carey, Joshua Marshman and John Clark Marshman (Joshua's son) were designated as members of the first council. At its opening, the Serampore Trio released a prospectus which proposed "A College for the instruction of Asiatic Christian and other Youth in Eastern Literature and European Science." The college was open to all people of any caste or creed, and the founders ensured that no denominational test would apply to faculty members. The charter has also been confirmed by the Bengal Government Act IV of 1918.

The status accorded by the Danish charter has since been reaffirmed for the study of theology and now forms the basis for degrees of all levels conferred by over forty theological colleges throughout India and is administered by the senate. It was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1827 and the Bengal Government Act IV of 1918.

Serampore College

Control passed back to the British[edit]

After 22 February 1845 when Denmark sold all of its Indian assets to Britain, the management and operation of the college continued without interruption under the direction of a master and council. In 1856 the Baptist Missionary Society in England took over the management of the college and, in 1857, the college became affiliated with the newly established University of Calcutta and became a constituent college of that university. In 1883 the college closed as an arts college and began functioning as a Christian Training Institution and a theological institute for the Baptist churches in Bengal. Affiliating again with the University of Calcutta in 1911, Serampore College, in 1913, was authorised to award the Bachelor of Arts degree. The college faculty was interdenominational.

Twentieth century[edit]

On 4 December 1915, the first group of Bachelor of Divinity students graduated:

  • I. W. Johory, professor in the Canadian Mission College, Indore;
  • N. G. Kuriakos, a priest in the Orthodox Syrian Church; and
  • D. M. Devasahayam, London Missionary Society, South India.

Between 1916 and 1927, sixty-nine further students earned their Bachelor of Divinity degrees through Serampore College.

During the centenary year of the college, in 1918, the Bengal Legislative Council passed the Serampore College Act (1918 Act, i, 1918 Act, ii, 1918 Act, iii, 1918 Act, iv) for the purpose of enlarging the college council and forming a new interdenominational senate that would confer theological degrees for all Christian denominations in India. By 1960 twenty other Indian colleges and seminaries affiliated themselves with Serampore.

The name of the college and its founders are honoured today more widely than just within Christian circles – the Carey Library at Serampore houses 16,000 rare volumes and is used by scholars from across the world.

Honours[edit]

On 7 June 1969, the Indian Department of Posts issued a stamp[13] and a first day cover[14] depicting Serampore College. In 2017, to commemorate the bicentennial anniversary of the university, Denmark's ambassador to India, Mr. Peter Taksøe-Jensen announced that the Danish Government decided to grant 18 outstanding students of Serampore College through the King Frederik VI Scholarship.[15]

Principals[edit]

Years Name Academic credentials
1818–1832 ✝William Carey
1832–1837 ✝Joshua Marshman D.D
1837–1845 ✝John Mack
1845–1858 ✝W. H. Denham
1858–1879 ✝John Trafford B.A. (Glasgow)
1879–1882 ✝Albert Williams B.A. (Glasgow)
1883–1906 ✝E. S. Summers B.A.
1906–1929 ✝George Howells PhD (Tübingen)
1929–1949 ✝G. H. C. Angus M.A.
1949–1959 ✝C. E. Abraham M.A. The First Indian Principal
1959–1966 ✝William Stewart M.A.
1966–1968 ✝S. J. Samartha PhD (Hartford)
1968–1969 A. K. Mundle M.A.
1969–1972 M. N. Biswas M.A.
1972–1976 S. K. Chatterjee M.A.
1976–1977 R. L. Rodrigues M.A.
1977–1987 S. Mukhopadhyay PhD
1988–1989 T. K. Swarnakar M.A.
1990–1998 J. T. K. Daniel PhD (Madras)
1999-2011 Lalchungnunga PhD (NEHU)
2011-2015 Laltluangliana Khiangte PhD (NEHU)
2015-present Vansanglura Vanchhawng PhD (Mizoram)

Gallery[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Seven oldest universities in India: All you need to know
  2. ↑ World Council of Churches, Ministerial Formation, July 2003. Retrieved 23 April 2006.
  3. ↑ Education Info India Colleges under University of Calcutta, July 2003. Retrieved 23 April 2006.
  4. ↑ http://www.hooghly.gov.in/ser_hist.htm
  5. ↑ "Faculty of Arts Science Commerce – Serampore College – "Glorious 200 years: Established in 1818"".
  6. ↑ "Faculty of Arts Science Commerce – Serampore College – "Glorious 200 years: Established in 1818"".
  7. ↑ https://en.natmus.dk/historical-knowledge/research/research-projects/the-serampore-initiative/historical-background/
  8. ↑ "UGC Act-1956" (PDF). mhrd.gov.in/. Secretary, University Grants Commission. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  9. ↑ Sankar Ray, The Hindu (Business Line), 11 April 2008 Almost a century later, the charter was endorsed officially under the Bengal Govt Act IV of 1918. [1]
  10. ↑ List of oldest universities in continuous operation#Asia
  11. ↑ "The Story of Serampore and its College". mergingcurrents.co. p. IVth edition 2006 page 174. Archived from the original on 22 October 2003.
  12. ↑ "Council of Serampore College". councilofseramporecollege.org. Archived from the original on 9 August 2018.
  13. ↑ Postal Stamp
  14. ↑ First Day Cover
  15. ↑ https://indien.um.dk/en/news/newsdisplaypage/?newsid=040ce50a-f794-40f1-962e-5d3dcd1e1402 [dead link]

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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