The building was the residence of Sarojini Naidu's father Aghornath Chattopadhyay, the first Principal of Hyderabad College now Nizam College. During the Chattopadhyay family's residence, it was the centre of many reformist ideas in Hyderabad, in areas ranging from marriage, education, women's empowerment, literature and nationalism. Specifically, the reformist ideas included more power for women in a time where politics in India, especially regional politics, was dominated by men. It also included ideas for involvement for women in the arts field. There were also many restrictions on marriage during this time period that persist to this day, such as inter-regional and inter-caste marriages. These ideas were progressive for the era, but brought a change in India in slow ways over time.[2]
Golden Threshold was named after Sarojini Naidu's very first collection of poetry published in 1905. It now houses Sarojini Naidu School of Arts & Communication of University of Hyderabad.[3]
History
University of Hyderabad (1975-present)
In 1974, Padmaja Naidu had donated it to the government to be used for educational purposes. In 1975, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi dedicated the Golden Threshold to its current owner, the University of Hyderabad.[4]
The social sciences and humanities programs were run at the Golden Threshold. These were moved to the main campus in 1988. The Sarojini Naidu School of Arts and Communication ran at the premises till 2003.[5]
