Madan Mohan Malviya had set up BHU in the year 1915 with the support of few leaders, mainly Annie Besant. Annie Besant had founded the Central Hindu College in the year 1898 in Varanasi and this college was then later gifted to Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya for the later to get it transferred into Banaras Hindu University. Also notable point is that foundation for the BHU’s main campus was laid by Lord Hardinge on 4th February 1916, on the occasion of Vasant Panchami.