Vidyasagar college was founded by the illustrious Pundit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar as "Metropolitan Institution" in the year 1872. It was rechristened as "Vidyasagar college" in the year 1917.

Vidyasagar college has been a unique institute of higher education, conceived, established and managed by Indians only during the height of British rule in India. Its object was to impart higher education to Indian students, and inculcate in them a patriotic outlook. It also sought to make higher education affordable to the economically weaker students.

Because of these noble objectives, Vidyasagar college became the cradle of the national freedom movement. A galaxy of eminent sons of India was associated with this institute either as committee members or teachers or as students. Rabindranath Tagore, Surendranath Bannerjee, Chittaranjan Das, Narendranath Dutta (Swami Vivekananda), Acharya RC. Roy, Gostha Paul, Babu Jagjivan Ram, Ram Manohar Lohia, etc. are just a few of the illustrious persons who were associated with this college.

It is a matter of unique distinction for Vidyasagar College that four undergraduate colleges, namely, The Seuri Vidyasagar college, The Nabadwip Vidyasagar college, Vidyasagar college for Women and Vidyasagar Evening college have taken their origin from this college. It is also worth mentioning that the Dawn Society, which was established in 1902, from which The Jadavpur University developed subsequently, operated from this college building.

During its existence for last one hundred twenty five years, Vidyasagar college has made remarkable contributions to the country in the field of education, literature, sports, culture and above all, freedom movement. This is particularly relevant and worth remembering, when India is celebrating its 50th year of independence.

The Department of Posts is happy to bring out a special postage stamp on the occasion of 125 years of Vidyasagar college.