Nantah was founded in 19 12, and was named Henan Preparatory School for Studying in Europe and America. It was in a tripartite confrontation with Tsinghua University (now Tsinghua University) and Shanghai Nanyang College (now Shanghai Jiaotong University).

In the history of Henan University, there were two splits, one was 1949 preparing to move south following The National SouthWest Associated University's example, and the other was 1952 major adjustment of its departments.

It is said that a big river has created a large number of good universities, but two adjustments have also weakened the once-prominent river.