Department of Textile Chemistry:  – A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE

The Department of Textile Chemistry holds the distinction of being the oldest department within the prestigious Kalabhavan Technical Institute, which was founded in 1890 by His Highness Late Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III of Baroda. The institute, now an integral part of the Faculty of Technology & Engineering at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, began its journey as a pioneer in technical education in India.

In its early years, the department was popularly known as ‘Rangshala’, a center where artisan-level courses were conducted in Bleaching, Dyeing, Printing, Sizing, and related areas of textile processing. These courses catered to the needs of the growing textile industry during the industrial era. The first Head of the Department was Prof. T. K. Gajjar, under whose visionary leadership the foundation of textile education was laid.

Towards the end of the 19th century, the department introduced a Three-Year Diploma in Textile Chemistry, marking a significant milestone in technical education. During this period, the department trained and graduated nearly a hundred students, who went on to contribute significantly to the textile industry.

Following India’s independence, in the year 1949, the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda was established, bringing Kalabhavan under its aegis. With the establishment of the Faculty of Technology and Engineering, the Department of Textile Chemistry was formally integrated into the university structure. Since then, the department has continually evolved, expanding its academic offerings from diploma-level programs to undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees.

Over the decades, the department has established itself as a center of excellence in textile education and research. It remains committed to advancing knowledge and innovation in the field through both academic rigor and industry collaboration.

Academic Programs Offered:

Sr. no	Course	UG/PG	Duration
1	B. E. (Textile Processing)	UG	4 Years
2	Post B.Sc. B.E (Textile Chemical Processing)	UG	3 Years
3	M.E. (Textile Processing)	PG	2 Years
4	Diploma in Textile Chemistry (DTC)	UG Diploma	3 Years
5	Post B.Sc. B.Sc. DTC	PG Diploma	1 Year
6	Ph.D (Tech) – Textile Chemistry

 

Thrust Areas of Research and Development:

• Eco-friendly and sustainable textile wet processing technologies
• Application of Nanotechnology in textile processing
• Development and use of Natural Dyes
• Chemical modification of textile fibres for enhanced performance
• Innovations in functional Textile and Technical textiles

With a legacy of over a century, the Department of Textile Chemistry continues to uphold its tradition of academic excellence, innovation, and service to the textile industry and the nation.