Barkatullah University now ‘Maa Vagdevi Bhojpal University’

The Executive Council of Barkatullah University in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, approved a proposal on Wednesday, June 3, to rename the university as “Maa Vagdevi Bhojpal University.” In addition, changes to the university’s academic structure were also approved. After receiving approval from the Executive Council, the proposal was forwarded to Governor Mangubhai Patel. The proposal also included a comparison between King Bhoj and freedom fighter Barkatullah Bhopali.

The proposal highlighted the historical and cultural contributions of King Bhoj. It stated, “Compared to King Bhoj, no significant contribution to this region is evident from Barkatullah Bhopali beyond the fact that he was a resident of Bhopal.” Based on this reasoning, it recommended changing the university’s name. The proposal further argued that, considering Bhopal’s historical and cultural heritage, the name “Vagdevi Bhojpal University” would be more appropriate.

Maulana Mohammad Barkatullah Bhopali, born in Bhopal, was one of India’s prominent revolutionary freedom fighters. Living outside India, he campaigned internationally against British rule and sought to build global support for the Indian independence movement. He was also associated with the Ghadar Movement and became an important part of the international network of Indian revolutionaries. He passed away in 1927 in San Francisco, United States.

King Bhoj is said to have written around eighty works, of which twenty-seven are still available today. He not only authored texts himself but also developed his capital, Dhara (Dhar), into a major center of learning. He established the “Bhojshala” (Saraswati Temple) there, which was considered a great university of that era. The statue of Vagdevi established by him at Bhojshala is now kept in a museum in England. Revered as Saraswati, the goddess of learning, it was worshipped for nearly 1,000 years.(UPDATED ON 4TH JUNE 2026)