Nalanda the ancient university of india

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Nalanda University was a center of higher learning in Bihar, India from 427 to 1197. It is considered one of the first universities in the world, founded in the 5th century BC

Nalanda was a Buddhist monastic center and a world-renowned university that attracted scholars from all over Asia. At its peak in the 7th century AD, Nalanda had around 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers. 

Nalanda’s traditional history dates back to the time of the Buddha and Mahavira, the founder of the Jaina religion. The university is also considered the world’s first residential university, with nine million books. 

In 1202 AD, Bakhtiyar Khilji set fire to the university’s library, which is said to have contained more than 9 million manuscripts. The library burned for three months.

Nalanda was a Buddhist monastic university and was mainly dedicated to the furtherance of Mahayana Buddhism. It was built during the Hindu Gupta Empire in the 5th century CE

Nalanda’s multidisciplinary academic curriculum blended intellectual Buddhism with a higher knowledge in different fields. It became one of the centers of Tantric Buddhism and developed close ties with Tibet and Nepal

History of NalandaThe highly formalized methods of Vedic learning helped inspire the establishment of large teaching institutions such as Taxila, Nalanda, and Vikramashila which are often characterised as India’s early universities

Some consider Nalanda to be the world’s first residential university. It’s also known as the world’s first international university, as it attracted students from around the world. 

However, Nalanda is not usually included on lists of the world’s oldest universities. The University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is considered the oldest university in the world

A half hour bus ride from Rajgir is Nalanda, the site of the world’s first University. Although the site was a pilgrimage destination from the 1st Century A.D., it has a link with the Buddha as he often came here and two of his chief disciples, Sariputra and Moggallana, came from this area

According to some, Takshila is older than Nalanda. Takshila is thought to have been founded in the 6th century BC, and is mentioned in Jataka stories from the 5th century AD. Nalanda was established in the 5th century AD

Takshila is located in present-day Pakistan and is considered one of the oldest universities in the world. However, some say it’s not considered a university in the modern sense. 

Nalanda is located in present-day Bihar, India. It was founded by the Gupta emperors and expanded over the next seven centuries. Nalanda is considered by many to be one of the oldest universities in the world

Here are some differences between Nalanda and Taxila: 

  • Age Taxila is generally considered to be older than Nalanda. Taxila is believed to have existed from the 5th century BCE to the 5th century CE, while Nalanda flourished from the 5th century CE to the 12th century CE. 
  • Location Taxila is located in present-day Pakistan, while Nalanda is located in present-day Bihar, India. 
  • Structure and functioning Nalanda provided a structured environment with established facilities, while Taxila operated through teacher-led schools in private settings. 
  • Curriculum Taxila primarily focused on teaching Vedic literature and art skills like archery and hunting. Nalanda taught more secular subjects like Economics, Politics Astronomy, Mathematics, Science, etc.. 

Taxila was a significant center of learning and trade during ancient times. The Bhir mound is the earliest historic city of Taxila, and was probably founded in the 6th century BC by the Achaemenians

Some say Nalanda University is considered modern compared to Taxila University because it had a more structured environment. Nalanda had: 

  • Facilities: Libraries, lecture halls, meditation rooms, and residential quarters for students and teachers 
  • Student-teacher ratio: Considered ideal and standard in modern concepts 
  • Centralized system: Nalanda had a centralized syllabus, examinations, and degree awards 
  • Teacher autonomy: Teachers at Taxila enjoyed autonomy and formed their own schools with specific rules 

Taxila, on the other hand, is not considered a university in the modern sense. It had: 

  • Flexible education system: Tailored to individual students’ capabilities 
  • No centralized system: No syllabus, examinations, or degree awards 
  • No lecture halls: Most of the learning was given by teachers at their houses privately 
  • No residential quarters: Neither for students nor teachers 
  • No official membership: Teachers living there may not have had official membership of particular colleges

Some say Taxila is not considered a university in the modern sense because it lacked formal infrastructure support and relied on teachers’ private houses for schooling. Taxila also had no centralized system of schooling, syllabus, examinations, or degree awards. 

Taxila’s subjects were also primitive in nature, which included Vedic literature, hunting, and archery. Some say these subjects can’t be considered as modern university education. 

Taxila was built by the rulers of the Gandhara region, including the Mauryan Empire under Emperor Ashoka and subsequent dynasties. Nalanda University was established during the Gupta Empire, but its exact founder is not known

Some historians debate whether Nalanda University or Pushpagiri University is the oldest university in India. 

Nalanda University is considered by some to be the oldest ancient university in India. However, others say that Vikramashila University, established by the Pala emperor Dharmapala (783 to 820 AD), is the oldest. 

Some say that Takshashila (Taxila) and Nalanda are the two most famous ancient universities in India

Some other ancient universities of India include: 

  • Vikramshila Established in the 8th century by King Dharmapala, this university was a Buddhist study center. It was located in the Bhagalpur region of Bihar, and thrived until the 12th century. 
  • Jagaddala Established in the 11th century by King Rampala, this university was a center of Sanskrit learning and Vajrayana Buddhism. It was located in Varendra, North Bengal, which is now part of Bangladesh. 

Other ancient universities of India include: 

Valabhi, Odantapuri, Somapura, Sharada Peeth, Pushpagiri Vihara, Bikrampur Vihara.

Nalanda University was a center of higher learning in Bihar, India from 427 to 1197 CE. It was founded by Kumargupta I of the Gupta dynasty in the 5th century CE. The university was patronized by various rulers and scholars, including King Harshavardhana of Kannauj and the Pala rulers

Nalanda was one of the most renowned universities in the world, attracting scholars from all over Asia. It played a vital role in promoting the patronage of arts and academics during the 5th and 6th century CE. 

In 1200 CE, Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji ransacked and destroyed the university. According to Persian historian Siraj i Minaj, 9 million books were burnt in Nalanda by Bakhtiyar Khilji

Some students of Nalanda University include: 

  • Hiuen Tsang A famous Chinese traveler and Buddhist monk who studied and taught at the university for five years in the 7th century. He traveled to India to research and collect Buddhist texts. 
  • Nagarjuna A Mahayana philosopher who taught at Nalanda. 
  • Dinnaga A Buddhist founder of Indian logic who taught at Nalanda. 
  • Dharmapala The second ruler of the Pala Empire of Bengal who taught at Nalanda. 
  • Xuanzang and Yijing

Other students of Nalanda University include: 

  • Harshavardhana 
  • Vasubandhu

Nalanda University is known for its excellence in the study of Buddhist and non-Buddhist philosophy, as well as other subjects such as astronomy, medicine, and logic. It is also considered one of the world’s first residential universities, home to nine million books

Nalanda is also known for its Buddhist roots as a center of learning. It is reported to have been visited by the Buddha during his lifetime. At its peak, in the 7th century AD, Nalanda held some 10,000 students and 2000 teachers

The ruins of Nalanda University are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination. The ruins are a great example of ancient Indian architecture and art

The university complex was home to stupas, shrines, viharas (residential and educational buildings), meditation halls, and classrooms.

A trove of sculptures, coins, seals, and inscriptions have also been discovered in the ruins, many of which are on display in the Nalanda Archaeological Museum, situated nearby

Nalanda University taught a variety of subjects, including: 

  • Buddhist studies Students studied Mahayana and the texts of the 18 Hinayana sects of Buddhism. 
  • Other subjects Students also studied human sciences, contemporary texts and philosophies, science, and medicine. Other subjects included theology, grammar, logic, astronomy, metaphysics, and philosophy. 
  • Languages Nalanda University offers short-term diploma and certificate programs in English, Korean, Sanskrit, Pali, and Tibetan. 
  • Other subjects Students also studied Yoga, Vedic literature, and Samkhya. 

Nalanda University also taught courses in philosophy, literature, law, science, and politics.

Yes, Nalanda University exists today. In 2010, the Indian Parliament established a contemporary university called Nalanda University in Rajgir, India. The university is supported by 18 member countries and is designated as an Institute of National Importance

The ruins of the original Nalanda University are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination. The ruins are considered well-preserved and are a testament to India’s ancient education system

Yes, people study at Nalanda University.  The university began its first academic session in 2014 with 15 students.  In 2014, the first batch of the university’s Masters’ program had eight students. In 2015, 2016, and 2017, the number of students in subsequent batches were 34, 35, and 28, respectively. 

According to one review, students from all over the world, including China and Tibet, come to study at Nalanda. The university offers courses in a wide range of subjects, including philosophy, medicine, mathematics, and astronomy

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3 thoughts on “Nalanda the ancient university of india

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  2. Bihar Museum stands as a beacon of cultural heritage, beckoning visitors to embark on a journey of discovery and enlightenment. With its diverse galleries and immersive exhibits, the museum offers a compelling narrative of Bihar’s past, present, and future. As a testament to Bihar’s rich cultural tapestry, Bihar Museum continues to inspire and educate generations, ensuring that the legacy of this vibrant region endures for posterity.

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