HBTI-Main Building (Kanpur)

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"Harcourt Butler Technological Institute ( HBTI )-Kanpur, Main Building"
The history of H.B.T.I., Kanpur, dates back to the growing realization of the need for advancement in science and technology among the people of what was then called the United Provinces. The Indian Industrial Commission at its Nainital meeting in 1907 proposed two institutions -- one at Roorkee for engineering and the other at Kanpur.

Thus, with an objective to boost entrepreneurship, accelerate industrial development, to create a sound environment for contemporary applied research and to inculcate scientific and technical temper, an Institute called `Government Research Institute, Cawnpore' was started in 1920. Initially it was housed in two spacious rooms of what was called SHER WALI KOTHI. The old majestic building is still intact at the north-west corner of the Company Bagh crossing, Nawabganj. Dr. Annett was the then principal of Opium Research Laboratory of which the new Institute was an adjunct.

In 1921, after a lengthy hot debate in the UP Assembly, the then Minister for Industry Mr. C. Y. Chintamani secured an extra dose of fund for the institute. Classes soon began in the Institute.On 25 November 1921, the then Governor of the United Provinces, Sir Spencer Harcourt Butler (1869 - 1938), K.C.S.I., C.I.E., formally laid the foundation of the present building. It was rechristened "Government Technological Institute" in 1921. Finally, in 1926, it got the name of "Harcourt Butler Technological Institute". Its first principal of Indian nationality though was Dattatreya Yashwant Athawale (Rao Saheb Rai Bahadur).

HBTI is oldest technology institute in Uttar Pradesh. In 1959, when Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur was established, IIT classes were held in canteen building of HBTI till IITK had its own campus.

Till 1970, HBTI was also conducting courses in Sugar Technology, Textiles and Glass Technology. Subsequently, 3 new institutes - National Sugar Institute, Govt Central Textile Institute and Glass Institute were created of these departments.

Today HBTI Kanpur is renowned for its quality education .Only a few colleges can boast of such legacy and the wide portfolio of the branches it offers.