Departmental Overview

“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots” – Marcus Garvey.”

Welcome to the History Department of Government General Degree College, Tehatta. We firmly believe in the wisdom of Marcus Garvey's words: "A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots." Our department is committed to empowering students with a profound understanding of their cultural heritage and the vital role of historical context in shaping their identities and communities

Following the establishment of the college in 2014, the Department of History was introduced in the 2015-2016 academic year. Initially, the department had a small student body and was led by a single faculty member, Sri Raghunath Roy, who also served as the Head of the Department. A few months later, another faculty member, Sri Aritra Majumdar, joined the department, but he left on 16.06.2017. Over time, the department expanded its teaching staff with the addition of two more faculty members, Sri Gopal Mandal and Smt. Pallabi Chatterjee, strengthening its academic team.

The faculty members regularly attend seminars, present research papers at national and international conferences, and publish their work in peer-reviewed books and journals. The Department of History offers Undergraduate Courses in History under two categories: the Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS) and NEP 2020 (as per the University of Kalyani's rules). Both Core/Major Courses and General Elective/Minor courses are offered. Faculty members have undergone expertise development through Skill Enhancement Courses (SEC).

The Department of History at GGDC, Tehatta, has a strong academic record, with high pass percentages and students securing top marks. Washim Akram Mondal was the first student to pass out from the department in 2017-18 with 55% marks. Subsequent years saw students achieving higher marks, with Subhajit Halder securing 81.30% in 2021-22. Several students have also secured ranks in the Kalyani University examination, with Protap Halder holding the 2nd position in 2020. Additionally, some students have secured placements in organizations like West Bengal Police, Green Techno, and BSF. The department has consistently shown a high pass percentage, with 100% pass rates in several years.

The department is regularly engaged in serious academic exercises like invited lectures, and seminars, showing documentaries and films, taking students to lectures by eminent historians, educational trips, etc. The students of History department not only encouraged to focus on study but for overall growth. The History Department proudly presents its departmental wall magazine (MUKTHODHARA), a platform for students to express their creativity, showcase their talents, and share their perspectives on historical events, cultural heritage, and contemporary issues. They are highly active in different cultural programs of the college, sports, NSS works etc. The Department has periodically arranged mentor-mentee sessions to foster an open environment, encouraging students to discuss any concerns or problems they may have, whether personal, social, college-related, or study-related. This initiative aims to strengthen the student-teacher relationship and provide support to students in all aspects of their academic journey.

The department encourages students to participate in competitive examinations like the National Eligibility Test (NET) and State-Level Eligibility Test (SET), fostering a career in teaching. Beyond academics, the department inspires students to make a meaningful impact on society by exploring alternative career paths, including: Journalism, Archaeology, Musicology, and Museum Creation, Archival work, Government and non-government services, Social activism, NGOs. By supporting these diverse career options, the department empowers students to become active contributors to society, making a positive difference in various fields.

Vision

The Department of History at Government General Degree College, Tehatta is dedicated to embodying the essence of Rabindranath Tagore’s vision of education. We believe that students should not only achieve expertise in their respective subjects but also embrace the true spirit of education. The History Department aims to make the students aware of the past and its legacies through teaching, research and extension activities in Indian history in the context of world history. We believe that only a critical understanding of the past will enable the students to understand the present and help them look towards the future.

Mission

Our mission is to foster a profound understanding of historical events, contexts, and narratives, while developing critical thinking and analytical skills in our students. We aim to study and preserve our global and cultural heritage by shaping the minds of our youth generation. By understanding the historical roots of modern problems, students can better analyze and address contemporary challenges. Transform the students into citizens who are critically informed about the past and its consequences for the present. Promote studies in history, society and culture of India in general and World history in particular. Empower students to cope with the challenges of globalization by instilling in them a life-long passion for learning about the past. The knowledge about the interconnections between the global, national, regional and local history will equip the students to face the challenges with confidence.

Values

1. Understanding of the past through a complex process of critical dialogue with historians and historical sources
2. Mutual trust and respect among historian
3. Belief in honoring the integrity of the historical record
4. The pursuit of scholarship in regional and local History
5. Rigorous academic and research environment
6. Providing unique learning experience for the students through exploring Indian History and History of Bengal in its regional and national context.