Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU) (Kanpur University)

The Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur (Formerly Kanpur University, Kanpur) was established in the year 1966. Prior to the establishment of the University, affiliation of colleges in its vicinity were to the Agra University. In the year vicinity were to the Agra University. In the year 1949, the Radha Krishnan Commission suggested the establishment of a university in Kanpur with the aim of reducing the pressure on Agra University. To fulfil this demand, in the year 1966, the state government established Kanpur University under the Kanpur and Meerut Universities Act 1965 with the moto “Aroh Tamso Jyoti” (Rise from darkness to light). In the preamble it is stated that Kanpur University will initially have an affiliating character but will gradually assume the shape of residential University. The University proudly celebrate its 57th foundation day on February 9 every year. Kanpur University was initially established in a small house located on Parvati Bagla Road which was eventually shifted to Sarvodaya Nagar, Kanpur. In the year 1971-72, 264 acres of land by the side of GT road at Kalyanpur was purchased with the assistance of the State Government and Kanpur Municipal Corporation. Construction was started in 1970s and the Administrative Block, old Guest House, The Vice Chancellor’s bunglow, the Registrar and Finance Officer’s and Employee residence were constructed in the first phase. Upto 1993-1994, there were 84 affiliate colleges, 11 faculties, 4000 teachers and 80000 students. A progressive increase in the number of affiliated colleges, diversification and number of courses was established. To cater to the development of the affiliated colleges a College Development Council (CDC) was established in the University. By 1997, CSJM University had developed a rich regularized academic culture, restored sanctity of examinations and established its residential character by starting a number of job oriented and vocational courses (BTech, MBA and Bed). The prestigious University Institute of Engineering and Technology produced its first batch of engineers in the year 2000. In the year 2004, there were 202 colleges of which 77 were aided and 125 self financing colleges. There were 20 ayurvedic and Unnai colleges affiliated to the University which included 10 Government colleges and 10 private colleges. There were also constituent colleges including GSVM Medical College and Nursing College. There are 952 colleges spread over eleven districts of the UP state were affiliated to CSJM University. During more than four decades of its existence, the University established itself firmly as a quality teaching and research institution. The Research Degree Committee (RDC) in each subject was established to monitor and promote research in respective subject areas. In 2016, the University established funds for granting aid for research projects submitted by faculty members of the university and affiliate colleges. The University also pioneered the use of E-governance tools for admission and online governance. In 2017, Chhtrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University affiliated a large number of colleges from seven jurisdictions namely Kanpur, Kanpur Dehat, Rai Bareli, Unnao, Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Hardoi, Kannauj, Farrukkhabad, Etawah, Auraiya as colleges of three districts, Fatehpur, Kaushambi and Allahabad were gradually moved to Allahabad State University. The University has not looked back since then and has become a hall mark of higher education in the State catering to more than 1200000 students pursuing graduate, post-graduate and PhD degrees in all subjects including arts, commerce, science, education, law, agriculture, medicine, Ayurvedic and Unani education, agriculture, engineering and technology, business management, life science, to the students of about seven hundred colleges present in seven districts. In 2021, organizational restructure was inducted through the inception of a number of Schools such as School of Languages, School of Basic Science, School of Legal Studies, School of Engineering and Technology, School of Agriculture, School of Health Studies, School of Agriculture Science & Technology, Deen Dayal Shodh Kendra, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, School of Management Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Performing Arts. The University is striving to follow New Education Policy 2020 in an effort to widen the frontiers of knowledge, assisted by rich tradition of literature, art and culture. The student body of this University and affiliated colleges have established a reputation for organizing high level conferences, seminars and symposia. Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj Kanpur has aligned itself to academic excellence and developing an educational system that promotes the spirit of Sustainable Development Goals and ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’. Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU) Kanpur (formerly Kanpur University) is a symbol of eminence and academic excellence, which can be approached and availed by the citizens of Kanpur and neighbouring regions. Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University Kanpur, a premier landmark of higher education in Uttar Pradesh is named after the great social reformer Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj also known as Rajarshi Shahu. It is a well-established and respected educational community where students of all backgrounds study and work together in a congenial and encouraging academic atmosphere. The university is geared to provide maximum scholastic benefit to each individual student and nurture them to achieve their full potential and evolve as a responsible global citizen Shahuji Maharaj was the first Maharaja of the princely state of Kolhapur. Greatly influenced by the contributions of social reformer Jyotiba Phule and the Satya Sodhak Samaj movement, Shahu Maharaj was an ideal leader and able ruler who was associated with many progressive and path breaking activities during his rule. He was born Yeshwantrao in the Ghatge family in Kagal village of the Kolhapur district as Yeshwantrao Ghatge to Jaisingrao and Radhabai in June 26, 1874. From his coronation in 1894 till his demise in 1922, he worked tirelessly for the cause of the lower caste subjects in his state. Primary education was made free to all regardless of caste and creed. He introduced a number of educational programs to promote education among his subjects. He established hostels separately for different ethnicities and religions and introduced several scholarships for meritorious students. He established Vedic Schools that enabled students from all castes and classes to learn the scriptures and propagate Sanskrit education among all. He also started special schools for the village heads or ‘Patils’ to make them into better administrators. Shahu Maharaj issued orders to open schools and hostels for backward castes, which was a unique initiative to educate those who were traditionally neglected for centuries. He exhorted that “It is necessary to end casteism. It is a crime to support caste. Caste is the biggest obstacle in the progress of our society. Caste-based organizations have vested interests. Certainly such organizations should use their power to end caste system, instead of strengthening them”. He established schools to educate the women, and introduced a law banning the Devadsi Pratha, the practice of offering girls to God, which essentially led to exploitation of the girls. He legalised widow remarriages in 1917 and made efforts towards stopping child marriages. He introduced a number of projects that enabled his subjects to self-sustain in their chosen professions. The Shahu Chhatrapati Spinning and Weaving Mill, dedicated market places, establishment of co-operative societies for farmers were introduced by the Chhatrapati to alleviate his subjects from middle men in trading. He made credits available to farmers looking to buy equipment to modernise agricultural practices and even established the King Edward Agricultural Institute to teach the farmers to increase crop yield and related technologies. He initiated the Radhanagari Dam on February 18, 1907 and the project was completed in 1935. The dam stands testament to Chhatrapati Shahu’s vision towards the welfare of his subjects and made Kolhapur self-sufficient in water. He was a great patron of art and culture and encouraged artists from music and fine arts. He supported writers and researchers in their endeavours. He installed gymnasiums and wrestling pitches and highlighted the importance of health consciousness among the youth. His seminal contribution in social, political, educational, agricultural and cultural spheres earned him the title of Rajarshi, which was bestowed upon him by the Kurmi warrior community of Kanpur. The great social reformer Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj died on May 6, 1922. To enlighten and empower humanity by nurturing future leaders and change agents for universal development and societal transformation. To work towards sustainable excellence in global standards of academia, technology-centric learning, robust research ecosystem, institutional distinctiveness and harmonious social diversity. ...view more