Soft winter sunlight falls gently on the rows of mango trees, casting a golden hue on the lush green grass of the vast field. Students gather in small groups across the field, sharing laughter, conversations, stories, and playful banter. In one corner, a group celebrates a friend’s birthday by cutting a cake.
These are glimpses from January 7th at the grounds of Government Brajalal College in Khulna. Moving past the field towards the Bakul Square near the Shaheed Minar, we find the hub of cultural activities of the college. In one room, members of the recitation team practice enunciation. In another, the debating club members rehearse arguments and counterarguments as part of their preparations. Established in 2012, the debating club actively fosters the art of debate among students. Practice sessions are held three times a week—on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays—while reading circles take place on Mondays.
Elmi, an English major in her third year and the general secretary of the debating club, shares that the club now boasts over 100 members. In addition to performing well in regional and national competitions, the club has also gained experience in hosting national-level debates. This year, they plan to organize one national and one regional debate competition.
After the practice session, a few members of the debate team head to the field, while we make our way toward the administrative building. There, we join a group of students from the geography department, all first-year students. One of them, Debjyoti Halder, says, “I’ve heard about the reputation of BL College since childhood. It’s been eight months since I enrolled. My home is in Shahpur, Dumuria. I commute to college by bus. The academic environment here is excellent. Recently, a group of 55 of us went on a field trip to Kuakata to study the livelihoods of the Rakhine community.”
Lamya Islam, a female member of the group, expresses her delight about the college, saying, “No nearby college offers geography as a subject. Our classes are regular, and students are not allowed to sit for exams without attending 65% of the classes. We also have great bonding with friends and a healthy communication with our teachers. There’s no ragging here.”
The First Higher Education Institution in Khulna
Government Brajalal College, the first higher education institution in greater Khulna, has been a beacon of knowledge in the region. Commonly known as BL College, this 41-acre campus now serves 33,000 students. It offers higher secondary, undergraduate pass courses, honors programs in 21 subjects, and postgraduate courses in 20 subjects. The college also provides accommodation through seven student hostels.
Zahidur Rahman, a fourth-year economics student, frequently visits the campus and finds everything—from the vast grounds and organized environment to the academic standards and the camaraderie of peers—extremely appealing. According to him, stepping onto the campus brings a sense of peace and joy.
Faculty members mentioned that since 2019, they have been publishing the BL College Journal, a bilingual publication featuring articles on language, literature, arts, culture, philosophy, history, economics, environmental science, and more. The journal includes contributions from scholars worldwide, and 11 issues have been published so far.
Touhidul Islam, an associate professor of botany, highlights the college’s focus on extracurricular activities, including sports and cultural pursuits. Organizations like BL College Theater, the debating club, and the recitation group Bayanno play vital roles. Additionally, various clubs provide life-oriented education. The college library houses over 50,000 books.
A Century-Old Legacy
Established on July 27, 1902, as the “Hindu Academy,” the institution was founded by education enthusiast Brajalal Chakrabarty. Initially a fully residential institution, it had two branches: Chatushpathi and Academy. The college bore all costs for food, education, and lodging for Chatushpathi students. In 1907, it was affiliated with the University of Calcutta. In 1912, the Khulna district administration donated 40 acres of land from the Syedpur Estate, courtesy of philanthropist Haji Muhammad Mohsin. After the founder’s death in 1944, the institution was renamed Brajalal Hindu Academy and later elevated to college status as BL College. It became a government institution on July 1, 1967.
Shankarkumar Mallik, a former professor of Bengali and researcher, notes that it began as a residential college and was the first of its kind in undivided Bengal.
Prominent figures like historian Professor Satish Chandra Mitra, poet Nazrul Islam, linguist Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah, and artist SM Sultan have visited or been associated with this institution. Renowned faculty members like Munir Chowdhury, Hasan Azizul Haque, and others have taught here.
The college’s Vice Principal, Professor FM Abdur Razzak, emphasizes its historical significance, stating, “BL College is a prestigious institution whose students have made their mark nationally and internationally. From the language movement to the liberation war, the college has played a pivotal role in democratic struggles. Before the establishment of a university on this side of the Padma, BL College filled the gap for higher education in the region. The academic and cultural environment here is unmatched.”
