Nalanda University- The ruins of the ancient Nalanda University

 

Reviving an Ancient Legacy

Recently, the new campus of Nalanda University was formally inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India. Located in Rajgir, Bihar, this sprawling campus covers 455 acres and is just 12 km away from the ruins of the ancient Buddhist monastery of the same name.

History and Revival of Nalanda University

Historical Background:

• Nalanda University was founded by Gupta Emperor Kumaragupta (Shakraditya) in 427 CE in modern Bihar.
• It flourished for 600 years until the 12th century, reaching its peak during the reign of Harshavardhana and the Pala monarchs.
• Chinese scholar Xuan Zang (Hiuen Tsang) studied here for about 5 years in the 7th century and took many scriptures back to China.
• Another Chinese pilgrim, I-Tsing, visited Nalanda in 670 AD and noted that it housed 2,000 students supported by funds from 200 villages.
• Students came from China, Mongolia, Tibet, Korea, and other Asian countries.
• Spiritual figures like Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira meditated in this region.
• Scholars such as Nagarjuna, Aryabhatta, and Dharmakirti were associated with Nalanda.
• The university in 1193 was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji, a general of the Turkish ruler Qutbuddin Aibak.

• Rediscovered in 1812 by the Scottish surveyor Francis Buchanan-Hamilton and later identified as the ancient university by Sir Alexander Cunningham in 1861.

Attacks and Restoration:

• The first attack occurred between 455–470 AD during the reign of Emperor Samudragupta by the Hunas, a Central Asian tribal group.
• Emperor Skanda Gupta later re-established the university and founded the renowned Nalanda library.
• The second attack in the early 7th century was planned by Goudas emperors of Bengal due to political tensions with Emperor Harshavardhana.
• Despite being destroyed, the university was restored by Harshavardhana.

Revival Efforts:

• The concept of revival surfaced in the early 2000s, endorsed by ex-President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the Singaporean government, and East Asian Summit (EAS) delegates.
• The Indian Parliament passed the Nalanda University Act in 2010, providing a legal framework for the new institution.
• Nalanda University symbolizes a collaborative effort between India and other East Asian nations, focusing on regional knowledge exchange.
• The Bihar government provided a 455-acre site near The ancient ruins were designed by architect B.V. Doshi to reflect the spirit of the past while integrating modern amenities.
• The university offers postgraduate programs in Buddhist Studies, Historical Studies, Ecology and Environmental Studies, and International Relations.
• The new campus is a ‘Net Zero’ Green Campus, self-sustainable with a solar plant, water treatment plants, and other environment-friendly facilities.

Nalanda University Today- The ruins of the ancient Nalanda University

The ruins of the ancient Nalanda University were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016. The new campus embodies a modern revival of the ancient seat of learning, aiming to foster global knowledge and research once again.

This blog provides an insightful look into the historical significance and the modern revival of Nalanda University, one of India’s most prestigious ancient learning centers.