The University of Calcutta has just completed one hundred and fifty years of its existence. Established in the year of the great Indian revolution, this university is the oldest institution of higher education in modern India. Thus the University of Calcutta is intimately associated with the economic and socio-political history of the country and also with the history of science and culture.

Though the University was originally envisaged as an examining body, its role has gradually changed. To remember the territorial jurisdiction of the University of Calcutta, one must take into accounts a major portion of the map of India and its neighbouring countries.

After the Independence, the number of educational institutions in different parts of India has multiplied; so has the number of Universities. The population has not remained stagnant either. Moreover, the percentage of youth inclined to opt for higher education has increased considerably compared to the initial days. The role of the University has also altered keeping pace with the demands of the times. The addresses delivered at the convocations reflect the history of this evolution. They highlight the successes and failures of the University, and the inspirations and obstacles in its glorious journey.

We are also overwhelmed by nostalgia to some extent. The condolence motions accepted at the convocations for the personalities associated with the nineteenth century renaissance present a clear picture of the society of the time. We have planned to publish the convocation addresses in three volumes. The present volume is the first in the series, and includes convocation addresses from 1858 to 1906. In spite of our best efforts, we have not been able to locate the addresses for the years 1859 and 1886. However, we have not given up our efforts and are still searching for them.

**Contents and Sample Pages**