Hindu College was founded more than a century ago in 1899, by Late Shri Krishan Dassji Gurwale. In the backdrop of the nationalist struggle against British rule, some prominent citizens including Shri Gurwaleji of Delhi, decided to start a college that would, while being non-elitist and non-sectarian, provide nationalist education to the youth. Originally, the College was housed in a humble building in Kinari Bazar, Chandni Chowk, and it was affiliated to Punjab University as there was no Delhi University at that time. As the college grew, it faced a major crisis in 1902 due to inadequate infrastructure. But fortunately, at this point, Rai Bahadur Sultan Singh generously donated a part of his historic property, (which originally belonged to Col. Skinner) at Kashmere Gate, to the College, thereby enabling it to function there till 1953, following which, it moved to its present location in Delhi University.
Hindu College was a centre for intellectual and political debate during India’s freedom struggle, especially during the Quit India Movement. This is the only College in Delhi to have a Students’ Parliament since 1935, which in fact, provided a platform to many national leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Pt. Moti Lal Nehru, Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, Sarojini Naidu, Annie Besant, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, and Subhash Chandra Bose for motivating the youth. Responding whole-heartedly to Gandhiji’s Quit India call in 1942, the college played a leading role in India’s freedom struggle as some teachers and students of the College even went to prison.
The College has seen remarkable growth over the years. And, today it is not only one of the most distinguished graduate and postgraduate co-educational institutions in the country, but is also, by many accounts, the college of first choice in Delhi. It boasts of an accomplished faculty of about one hundred and twenty members, and more than two thousand students. The College is also proud of its efficient and very supportive non-academic staff. It offers a number of courses in the Science, Humanities and the Social Science Streams. The College also has a rich collection of books and journals in its library, well-equipped laboratories, the NSS and NCC Rooms, etc. There is also a Students’ Centre that offers the facilities of a seminar room, bank, computer room, stationery shop, and a photocopier, etc. Spread over twenty five acres of land, the College premises are housed in one of the prime locations of the North Campus of the University of Delhi, well connected by road and the Delhi Metro. The college campus is well known for its well-maintained gardens and lovely trees, a vast sports ground, and a men’s hostel which can accommodate nearly 200 students. It also has one of the finest auditoria in Delhi, a state-of-the-art seminar room, and last but not the least, its very own canteen where the eatables can get as sumptuous as the discussions.