Main Building

The Main Building of IIT Kharagpur stands as an enduring symbol of the Institute’s origin, heritage, and academic spirit. Originally part of the historic Hijli Detention Camp, this monumental structure was repurposed in 1951 to house India’s first Indian Institute of Technology. From within its walls began the journey of IIT Kharagpur with just 224 students and 42 teachers, laying the foundation of modern technical education in independent India.

Architecturally imposing and historically profound, the Main Building reflects the transformation of a site once associated with colonial repression into a beacon of learning, innovation, and national progress. Over the decades, it has witnessed the evolution of IIT Kharagpur from a modest beginning into a globally respected centre of excellence in education, research, and innovation.

The Main Building has served as a nucleus of academic and administrative activity and remains a focal point of the vast 2,200-acre campus. Its corridors and halls are imbued with the legacy of generations of students, scholars, and faculty who have shaped the Institute’s reputation as an Institute of Eminence and a leader in higher education and technology development.

Commemorative Postage Stamp

As part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations marking seventy-five years of IIT Kharagpur, the Department of Posts is proud to release a set of commemorative postage stamps featuring iconic landmarks of the Institute. One of these stamps artistically depicts the Main Building, highlighting its historical significance and architectural grandeur. The stamp serves as a tribute to the building’s pivotal role in the birth and growth of IIT Kharagpur and honours its enduring contribution to nation-building through education, research, and innovation.

The inclusion of the Main Building on a commemorative postage stamp not only celebrates the Institute’s rich legacy but also preserves its story for future generations, symbolising the transformation of history into knowledge and progress.