Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c15.t2.7

v2.c15.t2.7

The academic programmes in China Studies, as it is understood today, did not develop in a holistic fashion; some aspects of China Studies were integrated into academic programmes before other aspects. The first programme on Chinese language was introduced in Calcutta University in 1918; however, due to lack of students and resources, the programme shut down in the early 20th century. After Rabindranath Tagore's historic visit to China, due to his vision, wisdom and effort, Cheena Bhavana, Department of Chinese Language and Culture, was established in the university he founded, Visva-Bharati, in 1937. Subsequently, in the 1940s, a Chinese language teaching programme was started in the University of Calcutta and Banaras Hindu University, with the University of Delhi following suit in the 1950s. Jawaharlal Nehru University started a five-year integrated Masters Programme in Chinese language in 1970s.