Nalanda University

Introduction

Nalanda was one of the most famous centers of learning in ancient India. It is considered one of the world's first residential universities. It is located in the present-day Bihar state near Rajgir. Since it has been recently revived, it is important for Current Affairs.

Timeline

5th century CE – Founded by the Gupta ruler Kumaragupta I
5th – 12th century CE – Period of peak development
7th century CE – Visit of Chinese traveler Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang)
1193 CE – Destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji's invasion
2010 – Establishment of the modern Nalanda University

Reasons for Growth

It was a major center of Buddhism
Patronage from Gupta rulers and Harshavardhana
Arrival of international students
Well-developed library called Dharmaganja

Key Features

More than 10,000 students
More than 1,000 teachers
Students from China, Korea, Tibet, and other regions
Subjects included:
Buddhism, Philosophy, Medicine, Mathematics, Literature

Important Personalities

Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang)
I-Tsing (Yijing)
Many renowned Buddhist scholars

Reasons for Decline

1193 – Attack by Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji
The university was burned
Libraries were destroyed
As a result, it caused a major loss to India's educational heritage and also affected global knowledge development.

Modern Nalanda (Current Affairs)

2010 – Revival project initiated
Developed with international collaboration
A symbol of Asian educational cooperation

Statement by President Droupadi Murmu:
Nalanda will once again emerge as a leading global center of education
Its benefits should reach the local community as well

Important Exam Points

Founder – Kumaragupta I
Destroyed by – Bakhtiyar Khilji (1193)
Famous traveler – Xuanzang
Period – 5th to 12th century CE
Revival – 2010

Short Summary

Nalanda = One of the world's oldest universities
Founded during the Gupta period → Flourished for 800 years
Destroyed in 1193 → Major loss of knowledge
Today, it has been revived and holds global significance