Nalanda University is an ancient center of higher learning located in the present-day Indian state of Bihar. It was one of the world's first residential universities and is regarded as one of the greatest seats of learning in ancient India. The university existed from the 5th century CE to the 12th century CE and played a significant role in the development of various branches of knowledge, including Buddhist philosophy, logic, mathematics, medicine, and astronomy.
Nalanda University was founded during the Gupta Empire under the patronage of Emperor Kumaragupta I around the 5th century CE. It gained prominence as a center for Buddhist studies and attracted scholars from all over Asia. The university was spread across a large campus and had numerous monasteries, temples, lecture halls, and libraries.
Nalanda University had a comprehensive curriculum that encompassed various subjects, including theology, philosophy, grammar, logic, astronomy, and medicine. Students and scholars from different parts of the world, including India, China, Tibet, Korea, and Central Asia, traveled to Nalanda to study and exchange knowledge.
The renowned Chinese scholar and traveler, Xuanzang, spent several years at Nalanda University during the 7th century CE. His detailed accounts provide valuable insights into the university's organization, curriculum, and its role as an international center of learning.
Unfortunately, Nalanda University was sacked and destroyed by an army led by Turkic invader Bakhtiyar Khilji in the 12th century CE. The destruction of Nalanda University marked the decline of ancient Indian education and the subsequent loss of many invaluable texts and manuscripts.
In recent years, efforts have been made to revive Nalanda University as a modern international institution. The Nalanda University Act was passed by the Indian Parliament in 2010, and the university was formally inaugurated in 2014. The revived Nalanda University aims to promote interdisciplinary studies and research, focusing on areas such as historical sciences, ecology and environmental studies, and Buddhism and comparative religion
