Department of Physics

The Allahabad University Reorganization Act of 1921 transformed the University from an Affiliating and Examining Body into a Teaching and Residential University. The reorganized unitary University of Allahabad in 1922 started with the then Muir Central College converted into the science block of the University. Department of Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Botany and Zoology were established to constitute the Faculty of Science.

The existing Physics laboratories were extended and new laboratories constructed during 1922 - 23. On the advice of Einstein and Eddington, Saha was appointed as the first Professor and Head of the Department in 1923. When Prof. Saha joined the Department, there were about 120 B. Sc. And 20 M. Sc. Students, the laboratories were well stocked with demonstration and classroom apparatus suitable for undergraduate classes but ill equipped for M. Sc. teaching and research. But, soon Prof. Saha's love and labour bore fruit and the Department became famous world wide for its pioneering research work on Spectroscopic Analysis of Atomic Spectra, Ionospheric Studies, Acoustic & Ultrasonic Measurements, X-ray Spectroscopy. It will not be out of place to mention that the Photography class of the Department is the oldest such course being run by any Indian University. Nobel Laureates like Compton, Eddigton, Raman, and Summerfield have visited the Department.

Prof. Saha left Allahabad to join Calcutta University as Palit Professor in 1938 initially on leave but finally resigned with effect from March 31, 1940. Then the post of Professor and Head of the Department was offered to Nobel Laureate Prof. Erwin Schrodinger. Schrodinger accepted the offer but he could not come out to join the post due to the onset of World War II. Finally, R. S. Krishnan, F. R. S. joined the post in 1942.

He strengthened the existing infra-structure for post-graduate teaching and research, thoroughly revised and updated the syllabus of both B.Sc. and M.Sc., placed the Photography class on permanent footing by instituting a Diploma Course in Photography in addition to the existing Certificate Course in Photography. He also started Physics Colloquium for advanced students for reading original papers and discussion of special topics in Physics. After serving the Department for 5 years he left Allahabad in 1947 to join the newly established National Physical Laboratory at Delhi as its first Director.