Heritage Buildings
Cotton University (erstwhile Cotton College) has a rich legacy of heritage buildings, which includes academic buildings as well as students' hostels. These buildings have been the witness to the institution's glorious past. They also carry the flavour of early twentieth century architecture. Cotton University is undertaking best measures to preserve these century old structures. Recognizing the archaeological importance of some it its heritage structures, University Grant Commission (UGC) had sanctioned Rs 4.35 crore to Cotton College for conservation of buildings such as the present Chemistry block, New Arts building, Principal's bungalow, KKH Boys' hostel, and SRB Boys' hostel and partially for digitization of its century old documents.
Department of Chemistry
Present Chemistry department is one of the oldest heritage structures of Cotton University. This is the building where Cotton College started it's epic journey of imparting higher education on 27th May 1901. Constructed with a cost of nearly Rs. 1 lakh, the single-storey building contained three airy and well-lit classrooms, besides the Principal's room, the Professors' room, the office, and two large halls, one of which was a combined laboratory and lecture theatre and the other an examination hall and library.
The New Arts Building
The New Arts Building was inaugurated in 1929 to accommodate the space-crunched departments belonging to Arts stream. An amount of Rs. 73,900/- was sanctioned to construct the building that had two lecture halls, three large class rooms and four seminar rooms. Presently, the building houses two Arts departments, namely Hindi and Philosophy.
Principal's Bungalow
The Principal's bungalow (presently under renovation) was built in 1883-1884. It originally functioned as a transit camp for tea planters. Later, it was re-purposed into Principal's bungalow of Cotton College.
Statues and Busts
Sir Henry John Stedman Cotton
Sir Henry John Stedman Cotton, the Chief Commissioner of Assam from 1896-1902, was the founder of Cotton College. It was because of his unflinching efforts that the College was established and started functioning in the year 1901. The bust of Sir Henry Cotton is located in the lobby of Manik Chandra Barooah Bhawan.
Frederick William Sudmersen
Frederick William Sudmersen, B.A. (London), IES (Indian Educational Service) joined as the first Principal of Cotton College in May, 1901 and remained in-charge of the College till 1926.Besides being the Principal, Mr. Sudmersen was also a Professor of English Literature. MrSudmesrsen’sbust is located in front of the Sudmersen Hall.
Prof. Atul Chandra Dutta
Prof. Atul Chandra Dutta was the founder Head of the department of Botany, Cotton College. He served Cotton College from 1927 to 1954. The bust of Prof. Dutta is located at the centre of the A.C. Dutta Bhawan, Department of Botany.
Manik Chandra Barooah
Manik Chandra Barooah played an important role in mobilising public opinion favouring the establishment of a college in Assam. In March 1899, he submitted a memorandum to the Commissioner of the Province of Assam, justifying the need for a college in the region and convinced Sir Henry Cotton to take initiative towards the establishment of the college. The statue of Sri Barooah is located at the left corner of the main entrance of MCB Bhawan.
Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha
Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha was a prominent cultural figure of Assam. His contributions in the fields of music, dance, painting, literature as well as politics were central to the shaping of the modern Assamese society. The auditorium of Cotton College was named after Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha to commemorate his 100th birth anniversary. The bust of Kalaguruis adjacent to the K. B. R. Hall.
