The department of History was established in the year 1958 and started offering  post graduate program since the year 1982 with specialisation  in Modern Indian History. It has been acknowledged as a research centre in the year 2005. Apart from the regular papers being taught an allied paper of Tourism is also being offered by the department with the intention of preserving the cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh and generating employment opportunities for students. In addition to it India's constitutional history has also been made an integral part of the curriculum.

The department prides itself as a student friendly department where students apart from regular courses are being guided for competitive exams as well. The endeavour has been well appreciated and successful with students being filtered and chosen at the very start of their graduation itself. The selected students are then well guided and helped in their efforts at preparing for these exams.

Apart from academics the department has enthusiastically been involved in extra co-curricular activities such as cultural activities, social awareness drives, sports, participation in NSS activities etc. Study tours and extension activities have also been closely integrated with academic learning so as to enhance student’s perception and outlooks.

In its pursuance of knowledge beyond books the department has also been actively engaged in organizing national seminars and workshops as well as exhibitions highlighting old documents, old coins and old ornaments with the desire to imbibe the values of preserving our rich legacy.

Being a research centre the department has also been involved in guiding students for doctoral researchers, the trust areas of research being Modern India, Regional History and Tribal and peasant History. The faculty members are also actively involved in publishing research papers and broadening their own perspectives through various faculty enrichment programmes like seminars, workshops etc.

VISION

  To provide quality education for academic enhancement of students for a sustainable society.

  To closely associate with and be responsive to the need of the society and to inculcate among students the feeling of nationalism and    through imparting them the knowledge of our glorious past,rich cultural heritage and social and religious harmony.

  To develop confidence level among students to face any challenges in their life by giving them references from history. 

  To create supportive and caring environment between faculty teachers and students.

  To improve research  activities in areas of regional history particularly the tribal life & culture, socio-economic condition of women and other downtrodden caste and communities as well as other aspects of National priority.

MISSION

To translate our vision into action plans, the department shall undertake programs and projects for development of human resources, value education, and social needs. The department is committed to provide excellent academic ambience and educational and library facility conducive for learning . To promote all round development of students through fostering skills and by organizing special classes for students interested in  competitive exams particularly Civil Services exam, State services exam and NET exam. To organize regular annual conference of Chhattisgarh Itihas  Parishad in different parts of Chhattisgarh to provide a platform for academicians, scholars and students to exchange their research and knowledge of various aspects of History, Culture and archaeology of Chhattisgarh .

The department of history prides itself as a student friendly department where students apart from regular courses are being guided for competitive exams as well. The endeavour has been well appreciated and successful with students being filtered and chosen at the very start of their graduation itself. The selected students are then well guided and helped in their efforts at preparing for these exams. As a result of these efforts the students have been able to clear various exams in the recent past such as the National Eligibility Test and Civil Services exam.

Apart from academics the department has enthusiastically been involved in extra  curricular activities such as cultural activities, social awareness drives, participation in NSS activities etc. Interdisciplinary lectures have also been conducted in the past. Study tours and extension activities have also been closely integrated with academic learning so as to enhance student's perceptions and outlooks.

In its pursuance of knowledge beyond books the department has also been actively engaged in organizing national seminars such as " Beesvi Shatabdi ka Chhattisgarh" and “peasant , tribal and working class movements” besides workshops on "Plaster cast replicas of archaeological figurines" so as  to foster skill development and entrepreuneurial initiatives among students .Exhibitions highlighting old documents, coins and ornaments have also been held with the desire to imbibe the values of preserving our rich legacy.

The department has had the privilege of being visited and addressed by distinguished guests such as freedom fighter Shri Jamuna Prasad Kasar , Prof.Nagendra Sharma, faculty member at the Dept. of History, Delhi University,  Dr.Mukesh Kumar, faculty at the Dept. of History, Bodh-Gaya University, Dr. J.B.Patnaik, faculty at Sambalpur University, Orissa and many others to help the students to broaden their perspectives by getting opportunities to hear experts in their fields.

Being a research centre the department has also been involved in guiding students for doctoral Researches, the thrust areas of research being Modern India, Regional History and Tribal and Peasant History. The faculty members area also actively involved in publishing research papers and broadening their own perspectives through various faculty enrichment programs. 

Summing up, the department looks towards the future with a desire and resolve to acquaint the younger generations with our rich cultural heritage, traditions and history with the belief that knowledge is imperative to avoid the mistakes made in our past and for our future actions to be made and judged, besides the practical relevance of knowing history as it comprises a major part of all competitive exams. With such a vision the dept. looks forward in the coming years to further contribute towards this endeavour with fervour and zeal.

Publications Details 

Seminar 1

The Department of History organized a two days National Seminar on the topic, "PEASANTS, TRIBALS AND WORKING CLASS MOVEMENT (1850-2010)" on 27-28thFebruary 2015 with the financial assistance of Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi. Sri Ramesh Nair, Director, Chhattisgarh Hindi Granth Academy, Raipur was the Chief- Guest of the inaugural function. Dr. P.K.Shukla, Ex- Member Secretary, Indian Council of Historical Research, and fellow, Nehru, Memorial Museum & Library, New Delhi was keynote speaker. He elaborately discussed the main causes and nature of peasants and tribals movements in the different parts of India. The Chief Guest of Valedictory session was Dr. Sacchidanand Joshi, Vice- Chancellor, Kushabhau Thakre ,Patrakarita Vishwavidhyalaya, Raipur. 

Participants from different parts of Chhattisgarh as well as from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh actively participated and presented their papers in the seminar. About 43 papers were presented in the seminar. Most of the papers were on peasants and tribal movements.

Another Significant event was the establishment of Chhattisgarh Itihas Parishad. About 10 papers were presented on History, Culture and Archaeology of Chhattisgarh. Eminent Historians of Chhattisgarh like Prof. M. A. Khan, Prof.Ramendra Nath Mishra , Prof Abha R.Pal, Prof. L.S.Nigam etc. shared their views on the topic. Research scholars and P.G. students were benefitted from the seminar.

Topic – 01

Dr. Arun Sharma, Archaeological advisor of Government of Chhattisgarh, accepted the request of the department to share his experience about excavations at various sites of Chhattisgarh. Through differnt slides he explained the process of excavations at various sites of sirpur like Buddhist Vihars, Surangtal, Market area etc.

Topic – 02 

The Department of History and Department of Economics jointly organized a lecture by Dr. R.N. Singh, Principal, Government Digvijay College, Rajnandgaon on the topic entitled,' Changing Scenario of Indian Economy.' Dr. Singh appreciated the present economic policy of Government like make in India, Start-Up India etc. India has opportunity to become a fastest growing economy. India has great capability to utilize its human capital to accelerate the process of development. 

Topic – 03 

Dr. K.K. Agrawal, Incharge –Principal, Government College, Jamgaon delivered a lecture on Political History of Chhattisgarh on 19th February 2016. In his lecture, he mainly discussed about Phaninagvamsi rulers of Kawarda. He started his lecture with brief description of political History of Chhattisgarh particularly about Saravpuriya and Pandu dynasty. He elaborately narrated the political and cultural history of Kawardha.

Topic–04

The Department of History received kind co-operation of Dr. Nagendra Sharma, Associate Professor, University of Delhi. He delivered a lecture on State Formation in Ancient India. He discussed the complete process of State formation from clan kingship of Rig-Vedic Age to National Monarchy of Mauryan period. The lecture was  interesting and he elaborately discussed the causes,nature and process of State formation. He appreciated the tolerant policy of Dhamma of Ashoka.

Topic – 05

Dr. Shailendra Singh, Professor of History,Government Digvijay College, delivered a lecture on 'Bismarck and European diplomacy' on 15 November 2015. In his lecture, he mainly politcal situation of Europe after unfication of Germany and diplomatcal relations developing amongst nations of Europe and its impact on world politics.

Forthe benefit of Post- graduate student, the department established  its own library in the year 2014 .There are about 262 books in  ancient Indian History, Medieval IndianHistory, Modern Indian History, Modern European ,world History and books onTourism and History of Chhattisgarh. Dr. Jyoti Dharkar, in charge of library,issues books to students regularly.

Extension Activities 

Extension Activities 1

The Department of History organized an educational tour for forty three undergraduate and Post-Graduate students of the department on 10th January2015. The main objective was to acquaint the students about rich architectural and cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh. We visited the Jain temple of Arang which is under teprotection of ASI. But the monument is in very deplorable condition and needs proper care. 

From Arang, we went to Sirpur, a very famous historical site in Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh. Sirpur is derived from the ancient name Sripura which was once the centre of power of South Kosalas during the rule of Sarabhapuriyas and Panduvamsis during 6th – 8th century AD. Sirpur is famous for Laxman temple, one of the oldest and best examples of brick temple in ancient India. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this brick temple stands on a high massive platform accessible by steps in the north and the south. The plan of the temple consists of a garbagriha, antarala and a mandapa. The mandapa now in ruins was originally upheld by stone pillars in rows. The exquisitely carved door frame depicts figures of Seshasayi Vishnu along with his other incarnations. 

Sirpur is a also famous for Buddhist and Jain architecture. We also visited Buddhist Vihars, stupas, Surang Taal, Gandeshwar Mahadeo Temple and recently excavated site of market area.

Extension Activities 3

EXHIBITION OF OLD COINS, ORNAMENTS, DOCUMENTS ANDPHOGRAPHS OF MONUMENTS.

The department organized an exhibition of old coins, ornaments, old documents and photographs of monuments of Durg district on 23 February 2016 with the assistance of local voluntary organization – Sajag Prayaas, Mr. Ashish Ghosh, Mr. Victor etc. The exhibition was inaugurated by Sri Hemchandra Yadav, former higher education minister, Government of Chhattisgarh. There was a good collection of Photographs, old coins, ornaments and documents. Some of the documents are very rare.

Extension Activities 4

Training programme on use of waste papers and materials

On 25 February 2016,the department organized a one day training programme on waste materials utilization. Students learnt to make paper envelope, cards, flowers from waste materials.

In house Activities

WORKSHOP ON PLASTER CAST ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIGURINES

The department of History organized a ten days workshop for students and teachers of the college on plaster cast archaeological figurines in collaboration with Department of Culture and Archaeology, Government of Chhattisgarh. The training Programme was inaugurated on 23rd January 2015 and closing ceremony was held on 4th February2015. The famous sculpture artist Padma Sri J.M.Nelson was chief guest of the workshop. 

About 52 students and 10 teachers attended the workshop. The participants were trained in all four processes – mould making, casting, finishing the figurine and finally coloring.