Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur owes its root to the past Bengal Engineering College, the historical backdrop of which goes to the nineteenth century when ventures in the sense we see today, were for all intents and purposes missing. Provoked by gathering necessity of prepared designing staff for the Public Works Department, the then board of Education, Bengal, chose to open Civil Engineering classes and a Professorship in Civil Engineering was made at Hindu College, Calcutta, in the year 1843-44. A College of Engineering was begun by the name of Civil Engineering College on 24th November, 1856, in the premises of the Writers Building, Calcutta. 

With the foundation of Calcutta University on January 24, 1857, the school was associated to this college in May 1857. The first-degree assessment in Quite a while of Civil Engineering was held in 1864 in which just 2 understudies graduated. In 1865, the school converged with Presidency College, Calcutta and from 1865 to 1869 the school worked as the Civil Engineering Department of Presidency College. In 1880, the school was moved to its present grounds at Shibpur, Howrah, and was initiated the 'Administration College, Howrah,' in the premises of Bishop's College. It began conferring preparing in Civil just as Mechanical Engineering. The school turned out to be entirely private from the year 1889. 

In 1921, the name of the school was changed to 'Bengal Engineering College' (prevalently known as B.E.College). During 1921-43, the different branches of the school were revamped on the suggestion of the 'Mukherjee Committee' under the Chairmanship of Sir R.N. Mukherjee, one of the most recognized ex-understudies of the school. The principal bunch of understudies in Mechanical Engineering showed up in the degree assessment in 1932. The degree course in Electrical Engineering was presented during 1935-36 and that in Metallurgical Engineering in 1939. The division of Humanities began in 1945, Applied Mechanics in 1947, and Architecture, Town and Regional Planning office in 1949. 

With the part of the arrangement War, the need of further extension and the advancement of the school was felt and a 'Council for the improvement of Higher Engineering and Technical Education in Bengal' under the Chairmanship of the Director of Public Instruction suggested two plans - one 'Prompt' and the other 'Five Year Plan' for the school. Under the 'Prompt' plan the advisory group made proposals in regards to the expansion of understudy quality from 300 to 520, an improved educational plan, better showing staff, a more noteworthy scope of degree courses and a nearby contact with industry. The target of the 'Five Year Plan' was to update the school to the status of a cutting edge and well-furnished establishment with offices for postgraduate investigation and research.