The
University of Allahabad is a public state university located in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was established on 23 September 1887 by an act of Parliament and is recognised as an Institute of National Importance (INI). It is one of the oldest modern universities in India. Its origins lie in the Muir Central College, named after Lt. Governor of North-Western Provinces Sir William Muir in 1876, who suggested the idea of a Central University at Prayagraj, which later evolved to the present university. It was known as the "Oxford of the East". Its Central University status was re-established through the University of Allahabad Act 2005 by the Parliament of India.