On 27 May 1912, the British government formed the "Nathan Committee" on establishing a residential hall-based university.

The Calcutta University Commission recommended a hall for the Muslim students in order to maintain their own culture and religion.

Associate Professor Ahmed Fazlur Rahman was appointed as Provost of Salimullah Muslim Hall.

Two house tutors were also appointed: Fakhruddin Ahmed, who supervised the students, and Muhammad Shahidullah, who was in charge of religious instruction.

In the 1923–24 session the number of Muslim residential students rose to 127, and 61 rooms were allocated in the Secretariat House.

At the centre of the south wing, the projecting entrance has three pointed arches flanked by two square towers, each crowned with a bulbous yellow-tiled dome.