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Department of History
Kishore Bharati Bhagini Nivedita College (Co-Ed)
Vision: The department of History moves forward with the vision of creating citizens, noble in their thoughts, prudent in their actions, confident while facing adversities of life and aware of their rich and diverse history and cultural heritage to promote peace and harmony on the basis of a holistic approach to nature, society and social relationship.
Mission: The Department of History, Kishore Bharati Bhagini Nivedita College (Co-Ed), is aware of the changing needs of education and the theory and practice of learning, keeping in mind the social, political and psychological development of learners. The department sets its learning goals governed by students’ background knowledge, experience and environment. The department encourages a comparative study of ancient, medieval and modern India highlighting the diversity of India with its underlying unity. The study of human history across boundaries enables our students to understand, analyse and explain the world and its development through time.
The department of History offers three-year Honours degree course and three-year General degree course engaged with choice based credit system (CBCS) under the University of Calcutta. Regular student evaluations are made on the basis of several assignments. The department organizes seminars, webinars, field trips, student and faculty exchange programmes and many co-curricular activities to enhance a student’s vision for life. During the academic period 2021-22, the department of History arranged several programmes in collaboration with IQAC. Open Book examinations, Quiz Competition, Field trip, Students’ Seminar were conducted under the supervision of the faculty. A wall magazine was published on 22.4.2022 as a part of a pan-India celebration of the 75 years of India’s Independence from the colonial rule.
Programme Specific Outcomes:
BA History
HONOURS
Semester 1
Paper 1: History of India (From the Earliest times to C 300 BCE) – This paper focuses on the early Indian notions of History with its sources and tools of historical reconstruction. It gives a specific idea of the evolution of mankind from hunter-gatherers to settlers. It highlights the different phases of ancient Indian Civilization which went through a cultural transition in different periods of history.
Paper 2: Social Formations and Cultural Patterns of the ancient world other than India – This paper put its emphasis on the evolution of human kind with the social institutions in the early societies. It draws the attention of the students to the beginning of agriculture and animal husbandry. Not only the history of city based civilizations like ancient Roman or Greek civilization was highlighted, but the importance of nomadic groups of Central and West Asia as a changing tool of the course of world history was equally accepted.
Semester 2
Paper 3: History of India C 300 BCE to C 750 CE – With the changing course of the time the socio-economic and political structure of India changed its perspective. There was a major paradigm shift in society and polity of India during this period. The early medieval India witnessed agrarian expansion, problem of urbanisation, proliferation of Varna and Jati, changing norms of marriage and property which altogether opens a very interesting aspect for the students of History.
Paper 4: Social Formations and Cultural patterns of the Medieval World other than India – This paper deals with the crisis of the Roman Empire and its principal causes along with the religion and culture in Medieval Europe. The emergence of feudal society and its inherent crisis found a mention in this paper to understand the ancient medieval world economy. It also highlighted the Judaism and Christianity under Islam to get a better view of the world history.
Semester 3
Paper 5: History of India (CE 750-1206) – On the basis of epigraphic, numismatic, monumental and literary evidences History of India of the said period had been reconstructed which provided the knowledge about the condition of those times covering all aspects of the society, polity, economy and culture.
Paper 6: Rise of the Modern West -1 – Through this paper students are introduced to a period of transition from a feudal western society to one based on the capitalist mode of production. This paper highlights the period of renaissance, the reformation and scientific movements. This was also the period of the emergence of parliamentary institutions. The course on the rise of early modern west takes a look at the social, economic, political and intellectual developments in the western European societies between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries.
Paper 7: History of India (C. 1206-1526) – This paper introduces the establishment of Delhi Sultanate by interpreting it through survey of sources. It emphasizes on the political structure of the Sultanate, its socio-economic standpoint and religious and cultural views. In this period, liberal religious movements like Bhakti and Sufi took place in India. There were monotheistic traditions in South and North India and women’s participation in religious movements. Art and architecture took a new direction in this period.
Semester 4
Paper 8: Rise of the Modern West 2 – This paper explores the circumstances which led to the seventeenth century crisis in Europe. There were revolts, uprisings and economic contractions. This period witnessed the English Revolution and different political and intellectuals issues. Students will learn about the emergence of scientific academics which paved the path for modernization. Mercantilism and economic changes were preludes to the Industrial Revolution.
Paper 9: History of India (c 1526-1605) – This paper focuses on the history of the struggle for Empire in North-Western India. It gives a picture of the foundation of Mughal dynasty in India. Students learn about the process of consolidation of Mughal rule in India along with incorporation of Rajputs and other indigenous groups in Mughal nobility. Students will get a clear knowledge of rural society and economy of that time.
Paper 10: History of India (c 1605-1750) – This paper focuses on the changing pattern of Mughal economy and polity in post-Akbar era. Students will get a good knowledge of orthodoxy and syncretism in Indian history during this period. The major focus shifted in this period was change of statecraft and religious practices during Aurangzeb’s rule and the beginning of several crises in those days. Along with economic activities, cultural pattern of this period became a major focus in this paper.
Semester 5
Paper 11: History of Modern Europe (c. 1780-1939) – This paper highlights the history of revolutionary Europe. Students will learn about the French Revolution and its impact on the European Countries and beyond. Students will get a good idea about the rising social classes and emerging gender relations. This paper highlights the Napoleonic consolidation in Europe. Students will learn about the forces of conservatism along with Revolutionary and Radical movements. Students get a picture of rising nationalism and remaking of states in 19th and 20th centuries. The Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 and the programme of socialist construction along with imperialism and war had been certain major historical issues which were discussed in this paper.
Paper 12: History of India (c. 1750-1857) – In this paper the crisis of 18th century in Indian history has been highlighted which will help the students to understand the changing political scenario of India with the erosion of the mighty Mughal Empire and the coming of the colonial power. Students will learn about the changing rural economy and society along with changing patterns of trade and industry. Drain of wealth from India and other major issues of grievances led to popular resistance which culminated in the uprising of 1857.
Semester 6
Paper 13: History of India (c.1857-1964) – This paper focuses on the cultural, social, religious changes in the pattern of Indian history. There was growth of new intelligentsia. At the same time reform and revival took place along with debates around gender. Students will learn about the nationalistic trends in Indian history and Gandhian nationalism after 1919. Students will gather knowledge about different social groups like Peasants, Tribals, Labours, Dalits, women and their participation in Indian national movements. The paper focusses on the ugly phases of communal history. Students will learn about history of Independence and the making of new India.
Paper 14: History of World Politics: 1945-1994 – This paper focuses on the changing political scenario of the world. Students will learn about the Cold War and role of USA and USSR in world politics. This period witnessed the formation of NATO, COMECON etc. The Korean crisis and the Vietnam War, de-Stalinisation and disintegration of the Soviet Union become the major focus point in this paper. Students will learn about glasnost and perestroika and the rise of a unipolar world system along with globalization.
Paper DSE A-1 SEM-5: History of Bengal (c. 1757-1905) – This paper deals mainly with political history of Bengal under the Nawabs and the rise of British power in Bengal. Students will learn about the cultural changes, social and religious reform movements and different protest movements like the Fakir and Sannyasi revolts, Pabna peasant uprising, Indigo revolt and the partition of Bengal proposed by Curzon.
Paper DSE-A-3 SEM 6: History of Bengal (c. 1905-1947) – This paper highlights the impact of the proposal of Bengal partition which led to Swadeshi movement and revolutionary terrorism. Students will gather knowledge about communal politics, Gandhian nationalism after 1919, different movements in Bengal, Subhash Chandra Bose’s ideology and partition and Indian Independence from colonial subjugation.
Paper DSE-B-1 SEM 5: History of Modern East Asia- China (c.1840-1949) – Students will learn about Chinese feudalism and facing of challenges thrown by imperialism. They will get an idea of popular movements and emergence of nationalism in China.
Paper DSE-B-3 SEM 6: History of Modern East Asia- Japan (c.1868-1945) – Students will learn about transition of Japan from feudalism to capitalism Japanese imperialism and democracy and Fascism in Japan’s history.
SEC-A (1) – Archives and museums – Students will learn about the importance of archives and museums to study historical evidences. It will help them understand the significance of collection, documentation and exhibition of the materials related to history. The educational tours will open up a new horizon in their mind to understand the historical sources better.
SEC-B (2) – Art Appreciation: An introduction to Indian Art – To make the students understand the Indian art from the ancient to modern time, this paper focuses on Rock art, Harappan art, the Indian art during different periods up to contemporary art and architecture.
BA GENERAL HISTORY
Semester 1-CC 1- GE-1: History of India from Earliest Times up to 300CE – Students will be acquainted with the sources and interpretation of history and Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic cultures. They will learn about the Harappan Civilization, the Vedic period, rise of Magadha and the emergence of several empires and the rise of Jainism and Buddhism as new religious sects.
Semester 2- CC-2- GE-2: History of India from C.300 to 1206 – Students will learn about the rise and growth of the Guptas, Harsha and his times and political structures of South India along with the history of political struggle of Northern India.
Semester 3- CC-3- GE-3: History of India from 1206 to 1707 – This paper highlights on the foundation, consolidation and expansion of the Delhi Sultanate. Students will be acquainted with the history of the provincial kingdoms like Mewar, Bengal, Vijaynagar and Bhamanis and emergence of Mughal state.
Semester 4- CC-4- GE-4: History of India: 1707-1950 – This paper makes the students acquainted with the interpretation of the 18th century and the expansion of colonial power with its economy and polity. Students will learn about socio-religious movements, uprising of 1857, emergence of nationalism and colonialism, the advent of freedom and making of Constituent Assembly and establishment of Republic.
Course Outcome
Associate Professor
Assistant Professor
History
