The Post Graduate Department of History was established at Tata College, Chaibasa, in 1983 as a part of Ranchi University. Later, with the creation of Kolhan University in 2009, the Department became an integral component of the new institution. Presently, the Department offers M.A. and Ph.D. programmes designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of Indian and World History. Currently, three teaching faculty members—Dr. Arvind Kumar Singh, Mr. Pradip Kumar Jha, and Dr. Vikas Nandan—are serving and contributing to the Department.

The Post Graduate Department of History at Kolhan University is committed to fostering a deep understanding of human civilization, cultural heritage, and socio-political evolution. The Department emphasizes academic excellence and field-based learning through seminars, workshops, heritage walks, and research projects. Accordingly, the motto of the Department is:
To establish a Centre for Regional and Tribal History and promote collaborations with national and international institutions for research and cultural exchange. To promote research on local, regional, and tribal histories of Jharkhand.

Number of Ph.D. degrees awarded during the last five years: 12
Number of Ph.D. research scholars currently enrolled in the department: 10