Faculty of Sanskrit Vidya Dharm Vigyan, Banaras Hindu University
संस्कृत विद्या धर्म विज्ञान संकाय, काशी हिन्दू विश्वविद्यालय
- Established
- 1918
- Type
- University
- Location
- Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
About
The traditional-shastra faculty of Banaras Hindu University, established in 1918 — two years after Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya founded the university — and first known as the Faculty of Prachya Vidya. With eight departments, it teaches Shastri and Acharya across Veda, Vyakarana, Sahitya, Jyotish, Darshan, Dharmashastra and more, along with Vidyavaridhi (Ph.D.), and has published the Vishwapanchang since 1926.
Courses & areas of study
- Shastri — 4 years under the NEP curriculum, admission through CUET-UG
- Shastri subjects: Shukla Yajurveda, Krishna Yajurveda, Vyakaran, Sahitya, Jyotish Ganit, Jyotish Falit, Sankhyayoga, Nyay-Vaisheshika, Vedant, Puranetihas, Dharmashastra, Mimansa, Dharmagam, Jain Darshan, Bauddha Darshan
- Acharya (postgraduate)
- Vidyavaridhi (Ph.D.) in Sanskrit, theology and traditional subjects
- Diploma and certificate courses
History
Founded in 1918
Banaras Hindu University was founded in 1916 by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. The Faculty of Sanskrit Vidya Dharm Vigyan followed in 1918, first as the Faculty of Prachya Vidya, with a double aim: to preserve and advance the study of the ancient shastras, the Sanskrit language and its literature, and to open a meaningful dialogue between Eastern and Western traditions.
What it stands for
In BHU's own words, one of the faculty's aims is to dispel unfounded misconceptions about Hindu religion, spirituality, astrology and Tantra, and to restore basic moral and religious values. Classical texts are still taught in keeping with India's oral and written traditions.
Scholarship
The faculty publishes an annual research journal, Sanskritvidya, and has published the Vishwapanchang every year since 1926. Today it has eight departments and one centre, teaching 23 subjects.