NALANDA UNIVERSITY-A Beacon of Ancient Learning

INTRODUCTION

Nalanda University, located in Bihar, India, was an ancient center of learning that thrived from the 5th to the 12th centuries CE. It attracted students and scholars from across Asia, including China, Korea, Japan, Tibet,
Mongolia, and Southeast Asia. Renowned for its rigorous curriculum, it offered studies in a wide range of subjects, including philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and Buddhist studies.

IMPORTANCE

The system focused on the moral, physical, spiritual and intellectual aspects of life. It emphasized on values such
as humility, truthfulness, discipline, self-reliance and respect for all creations. Students were taught to appreciate the balance between human beings and nature.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Nalanda was founded by the Gupta king Kumara Gupta in the 5th century CE. Nalanda was located in
the ancient kingdom of Magadha, near the present-day town of Rajgir in Bihar. Nalanda Covered over 30 acres
and had 10 temples, 12 halls, and 300 rooms. Nalanda was supported by the Gupta Empire in the 5th and 6th
centuries, and later by the Pala dynasty in the 8th and 9th centuries. Nalanda is believed to have had 10,000
students and 2,000 teachers. Nalanda’s library, known as “Dharma Gunj” or the “Mountain of Truth”, was a
repository of Buddhist knowledge. Nalanda is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

CURRICULUM

Taught Buddhism, and secular subjects.
Offered courses in:
 Grammar and linguistics
 Logic and epistemology
 Philosophy and metaphysics
 Medicine and astronomy

STRUCTURE

Nalanda Covered over 30 acres and had 10 temples, 12 halls, and 300 rooms.

Inauguration

 Founding: Nalanda was founded during the reign of Kumaragupta I. It quickly became a hub for Buddhist
scholarship and learning.
 Prominent Scholars: Notable figures like Xuanzang and Dharmakirti studied and taught at Nalanda, contributing to its reputation.

Destruction

 Decline: Nalanda began to decline in the 12th century due to various factors, including changing political dynamics and invasions.
 Invasion: The university faced a devastating attack in 1193 by Bakhtiyar Khilji, a Turkic military leader. The library, which was said to contain thousands of manuscripts, was set ablaze, leading to significant loss of knowledge and scholarship.
 Impact: The destruction of Nalanda marked a significant setback for Buddhist education and scholarship in India, contributing to the decline of Buddhism in the region.

Reconstruction

 Proposal: In 2006, former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam proposed the revival of Nalanda University.
 Legislation: In 2010, the Nalanda University Bill was passed in both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, and received presidential assent. The university came into existence on November 25, 2010.
 Foundation stone: In 2016, former President Pranab Mukherjee laid the foundation stone for the permanent campus in Pilkhivillage, Rajgir.
 Construction: Construction began in 2017 and was completed in 2023.
 Inauguration: The new campus was inaugurated.

Conclusion

• Nalanda University was a beacon of learning and intellectual pursuits in ancient India.
• Its legacy continues to inspire education and research today.