A University of international repute, Banaras Hindu University was founded by the great nationalist leader, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya in 1916 along with the cooperation of Annie Besant. It was viewed as University of India by several eminent personalities. The University played an important role in the Indian independence movement and has contribute largely even after independence through a large number of eminent scholars, scientists, technologists. Banaras Hindu University is the largest residential University in Asia.

This premier Central University is spread over an area of 1300 acres amidst greenery and serenity. The University has another campus at Barkachha, which is in the Mirzapur district. The University consists of three institutes, fourteen faculties, one hundred and twenty four departments, four interdisciplinary centers, a constituent college for women`s and three constituent Schools. The University covers the total spectrum of higher education, relating to all branches of humanities, social science, technology, medicine, science, fine arts and performing arts. The University has six centers of Advanced Studies and ten Departments, which are under Special Assistance Programme along with specialized Research Centers. The four-degree colleges of Varanasi are affiliated to the University, which are Arya Mahila Degree College, V.K.M. Kamachha, Vasant College for Women, Rajghat and D.A.V. Degree College.

A reputed museum, the Bharat Kala Bhavan is located in the University campus, which is treasure house of rare collections. The University campus provides a wide range of amenities, which includes playgrounds, auditorium, a flying club, a temple popularly called Vishwanath Temple and many supplementary services and units like Printing Press, Publication Cell, Fruit Preservation Center, Subsidized Canteens, Employment and Information Bureau, Security.