History

                                                   “ Du danda bishram karo hey shranta pathik ,ai batabrikshamule ,

                                                            Gourangaparashputa ai sai mahatirtha suradhani kule .

                                                          Sri Gourangabapalir ekmantra pranmantra param baivab ,

                                                              Gangatire Panihati atiter sakshyarupe barai gourab.”

The name of Panihati , an ancient human habitation was found in various ancient scripts and books like Manasa Mangal ( 1945) -Bipradas Piplai , Chaitanya Mangal ( 1541)- Jayananda , Chaitanya Bhagabat (1542)- Brindaban Das , Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita ( 1615 )- Krishnadas Kabiraj almost one thousand years back.

It is found that the ancient civilizations were established on the bank of big rivers. Likewise , this enriched habitation was set up gradually on the bank of the holy Ganga centering the eternal desire of the people to dwell on the sacred Gangetic soil. The name ‘Panihati’  is probably derived from the Sanskrit word  ‘Panyahatta’   and finally it has earned the name ‘Peneti’ by Rabindra Nath Thakur ( Jibansmriti ). Lord Chaitanya and Sri Nityananda  steppd on this sacred soil with other followers from Nabadwip more than five hundred years ago probably in 1514.  ‘Pathbadi’ turned into a centre of religious conversation and practices in the holy House of Raghab pandit , a pious disciple at Panihati.

Since ancient times Panihati was not only a religious centre but also a famous commercial hub . Inspite of these remarkable traits , even in the end of 19th Century there was no academic institution in this spiritually nourished place.  Students had to study in a neighbouring European Missionary school situated on the then Agarpara Mission Road ( now known as Elius Road ) . But it was also a defunct institution . The villagers attempt to get financial assistance from landlords and rich merchants of the locality for setting up a school went in vain. In the long run ,the great soul of Panihati , Tran Nath Banerjee, son of a poor priest Nasiram Banerjee gave assurance to set up a school for the students of the locality .

Though the school was established in 1896 , the act of study continued for the first four years in ‘Raman Kutir’ and Manasatala. Tran Nath  Banerjee fuelled with fund regularly to run the school smoothly. Then in the year 1900 the beautiful school building  was built in the shape of the Senate House of Calcutta University. Tranbabu spent about Rs. 14,000/- to build that school building . The said amount is equivalent to Rs. 60 to 70 Lacs at present.

The then Bengal Governor Lord Liton visited this institution in the year 1920 and being charmed, commented about the School – “ One of the finest School buildings of Bengal ”. Located on the bank of the Ganga amid marvellous  natural surrounding , it was recognised  as an ideal school at that time.  Academic standard and quality grew up to a higher level.

Academic excellence of yesteryears….

In the year 1906,just within 10 years after the foundation of the school , Jatin Dutta , a thirteen – year old brilliant student  passed the Entrance Examination  under the University of Calcutta with gold medal and scholarship. Jatin Dutta was a nephew of Narendranath das , the founder of Panihati Baro-Mandir Ghat .  Later on  , Jatin Dutta was graduated from  Presidency College and did his M.Sc degree from the University of Calcutta . He also passed B.L . and engaged himself in the profession of Law. He was selected a fellow of  ‘Royal Statistical Society’  of London in 1941. He was awarded ‘ PadmaShree ’ title by the Govt. of India in 1975 for his genius . His writings and research papers in his own name and sometimes in his assumed name ‘Yamdatta’ are  rich wealth in Bengali literature. Besides , a lot of his articles were published in various newspapers and periodicals .  

Dr.Nripen Chatterjee, the then Director of Public Health ; Dr. Prabhas Ghosh, Ex-Professor of Calcutta Medical College ; Dr. Biswapati Dasgupta, Principal of Darjeeling Govt. College ; Dr. Sudhir Srimani of Shibpur B.E. College ; Dr. Hiran Banerjee, Pro-Vice chancellor of Calcutta University ; Dr. Sekhar Seth ( National Scholarship Winner) ; Professor in Electronics  of Jadavpur University ; Sri Sanat Seth, a participant player in Olympics on behalf of Indian Football Team are some of the remarkable shining students of the school. Apart from this, a bunch of countless brilliant students of the school have played and been playing a significant and skilful role in the fields of science, literature, research, medical science, teaching, sports, culture, administration and so on.