Nikhil Banga Sikshan Mahavidyalaya, named after Basanti Devi, was the first Government sponsored college for women in Bankura to be founded by the Government of West Bengal in 1959. An eminent freedom fighter, Basanti Devi, wife of Sri Chittaranjan Das, was the first Indian lady to be imprisoned under British Rule for her involvement in the Indian freedom struggle. Nikhil Banga Sikshan Mahavidyalaya is situated at Bishnupur (a proposed “heritage town”, famous for the art and architecture of mediaeval Bengal) in the district of Bankura and was established in the year 1969.

It is a novel and unique example of ‘Self help’ materialized by the Bankura district unit of All Bengal Teachers’ Association (A.B.T.A). This stupendous task was done within a year by the undauntable zeal of the teachers of the district. The A.B.T.A. Central Committee donated books for initial starting of a Library and the local K.G. Engineering Institute left a portion of their buildings to start with. There was back-log of 60% untrained teachers in the district when the institution was started mainly by the donation contributed by teachers from their poor pay. The institution was housed in year 1973 in its own big and magnificent building with ample classroom facilities and laboratories. It has a big and rich library with about 15 thousand books including current and valuable journals.

This college is affiliated to the University of Burdwan. It is the only Govt. assisted B.Ed college till now in the district of Bankura. Staff Salary, grants for development of library, laboratory etc. are borne by the Govt. of West Bengal. In addition to this, the college is receiving financial grants from time to time from the University Grant Commission.