The college has its roots initially as Panbazar Girls' High school. Subsequently, the Handique Girls College was established in 1939 as the Guwahati Girls College. Mrs Rajabala Das was the founder principal of the college. The college was initially located in the Panbazar area of the city. With the shifting to the present site in 1940, the college was renamed Handique Girls College (in honour of noted philanthropist R. K. Handique), and became affiliated to the University of Calcutta. The college later become affiliated to the University of Gauhati following its establishment in 1948.[2]
The college is situated on the western bank of the Dighalipukhuri in Guwahati.[2] The present campus is spread over two acre of land. The Government of Assam has allocated an additional four acre of land for future expansion.[2]
Student accommodation
The Nirmal Prova Bordoloi Hostel is situated just opposite to the college campus on the eastern side of the Dighalipukhuri.[3] It is a three storied building with additional residential complex for Hostel Super and other staff members.[3]
Departments
The college has eighteen departments offering major and general courses.[4] The college offers courses of study in both Arts and Science faculties up to Degree Major level.[5] The medium of instruction is English. However, Assamese is also used as complementary to English. Conforming to the national pattern of education, 10+2+3 structure is followed in the state of Assam and the Three Year Degree Course (TDC) has been introduced from the 1984-85 session.[5]
The following is a list of courses offered at the college:[4]
The following is a list of societies active in the college:[10]
Aangik – A society for cultural activities
Adventure sports activities
Assamese Literary Society
Astronomy Club
Bohemian Souls- The Dramatics Society
Disputatio: Unleash the orator in you - debating society
Economic Society.
Educational and Psychological Society
Entrepreneurship Development Cell
Handique Girls’ College Science Society
Health Awareness Cell
Home Science Society
Philosophical Study Circle.
Photographic Society
Phuloni-Society for green thumbs
Red Ribbon Club
Sanskrit Sadanam
Srijan – A society for creative writing
The Fountain Head
The Weavers Society for Creative writing in English
Women’s Studies Research Centers' Cell
Festivals
The college celebrates two major festivals during the annual session:[3]
Freshers Social
Saraswati Puja
Cultural week followed by Cultural Night
Student Union
The Handique Girls College Students Union is the general body of the students of the college. Its membership is compulsory for every student admitted into the college. The office bearers of the Union are elected annually through direct ballot.
The Students' Union organizes various activities mainly Games and Sports, Debate, Cultural items and Social Service among the students. It also brings out a magazine annually as a medium for developing the potentialities of students.[10]