Nabagram Hiralal Paul College, named after Basanti Devi, was the first Government sponsored college for women in Hoogly to be founded by the Government of West Bengal in 1959. An eminent freedom fighter, Basanti Devi, wife of Sri Chittaranjan Das, was the first Indian lady to be imprisoned under British Rule for her involvement in the Indian freedom struggle. Nabagram Hiralal Paul College was founded on 3rd February 1957 at the initiative of a number of progressive people of the locality, keenly interested in higher education. The area Nabagram started developing after the partition of Bengal, with people coming from East Bengal for settlement.
The area Nabagram started developing after the partition of Bengal, with people coming from East Bengal for settlement.
After primary and secondary schools were set up felt the pressing need for a College within the settlement.

o help translate this noble venture into a reality the Late Hiralal Paul, a patron of learning came forward with a generous donation towards construction of a building for the College. Dr. B.C. Roy, the then Chief Minister of West Bengal kindly laid the foundation stone of the present College building.
The Late P. C. sen, the then Food Minister, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Dr. T. C. Dasgupta, an eminent Professor of Bengali of Calcutta University, joined as the founder Principal of the College. Since this humble beginning with a small building and only 65 students, the College has been making steady progress with the financial assistance of the central and the state Governments and the U.G.C.

oday, we have a full fledged co-educational Degree College, affiliated to Calcutta University with Arts ,Science and Commerce streams, accommodating not less than 1500 students.
The College got accreditation by NAAC in 2005 at the “B” level obtaining 74% marks signifying its academic and overall excellence.
Its celebrated Golden Jubilee Year (2006 – 2007) with due honour to its traditions.