In Memoriam – Architect Deba Prasad Maitra, Part 1.

Another of his recalls appears in the Student’s Society’s post dating back to 11th July 2016, in which, he discusses the origin of the B.Arch degree in India.

Seed to Sapling

In the mid-thirties of the twentieth century, the University Of Calcutta contemplated starting a Five year Degree course in architecture leading to a Degree of Bachelor of Architecture. I faintly remember I probably heard this story more than sixty years ago from Architect Habibur Rahman, a graduate from B.E. College in a discipline obviously different from Architecture. Strangely, he did his post-graduation in Architecture from an eminent US Institution. He was our visiting professor and was then working in WBPWD. Presumably, a Committee was formed in the University to prepare a syllabus for a five-year degree course in Architecture. The deliberations started in right earnest. But the whole process was interrupted by the start of World War II in 1939 and everything was shelved and collected dust for almost six years till the War ended in 1945. The only place where the course could have been introduced in Bengal at that time was Bengal Engineering College. The process of preparation of the syllabus must have been restarted but obviously in a very lackadaisical manner because when I appeared for the Admission Test of B.E. College (no JEE then) as late as 1949, it was only for the usual courses. There was no sign of a course in Architecture in B E College visible on the horizon or any mention of it in the admission test in 1949. The process of approval etc must not have been completed to start the course at that time. I had opted for Civil Engineering, an obvious choice at that time. I was not even aware of the possible existence of a course in Architecture. I was confident that I will definitely get through after a pretty impressive performance in Admission Test and Interview. But it was not to be. Disappointed, I went back to my old St Xaviers College in Kolkata for a BSc Hons course

I must have very narrowly missed the admission in the first instance. Otherwise, how could I receive a letter immediately afterward offering me admission in a five-year course in Architecture? Mind you, the course was yet to be approved by the Senate of the University of Calcutta. After all these years, I wonder who or what authority was in a tearing hurry to start the course in 1949 itself, even as a Diploma course and still pending approval from the university for a regular Degree Course? A Diploma Course in the high profile B.E. College? Unthinkable at that time! Under normal circumstances, the Degree Course should have started in 1950 after obtaining University approval. Now, consider this situation. If the course had started in 1950 where would I be today? Would I still go through my working life as an architect? No way! There was then, no possibility of an offer of admission to me in 1949. An offer of admission in 1950 on the basis of the previous year’s admission test would be a pipe dream! The approval came in 1950 which resulted in our brand new class missing the B. Arch. Part I examination at the end of 1st year and the resultant University Certificate. The subsequent path up to graduation was smooth with minor ups and downs.

So I became an architect by a combination of unexpected circumstances and almost by accident. What is strange is that I never gave it a second thought throughout my professional career. Only now, it appears to be something so strange!

Explore the earliest days of the Bachelor of Architecture coursework in India in the second part of In Memoriam – Ar. Deba Prasad Maitra.

As a symbol of honor, Sthapatya Publishers is going ahead with the plans of publishing Ar. D.P. Maitra’s Autobiography. Please fill the form below to register your interest and pre-book your copy. Orders delivered to your door-step only on pre-booking.