 Prof. Nurul Hasan, was the Founder-President of the institute's society and the executive council.Professor Satish Chandra, formerly Chairman, University Grants Commission, Delhi, was appointed as the first Vice Chairman of the Executive Council and Prof. Barun De was appointed as the first Director of the institute.At this time the former residence of Maulana Azad at 19, Ballygunge Circular Road, presently 5, Ashraf Mistry Lane (better known locally as Lovelock Lane off Ballygunge Circular Road), was handed over by the Government of West Bengal to the Institute.