– Nalanda University historical significance
– Nalanda University renowned teachers.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially opened the doors to a groundbreaking new campus at Nalanda University, located in close proximity to the ancient ruins of Rajgir. Paying homage to the illustrious ancient Nalanda University, which thrived over 1,600 years ago, this momentous occasion is expected to attract attention from dignitaries and intellectuals alike.
Nalanda University, founded in the 5th century CE in the ancient kingdom of Magadha (modern-day Bihar), was a beacon of knowledge and learning. Situated near the city of Rajagriha, now known as Rajgir, and close to Pataliputra, present-day Patna, the university garnered global recognition as the world’s first residential educational institution. Scholars from various corners of the world, including China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia, flocked to Nalanda to study a wide array of subjects such as medicine, Ayurveda, Buddhism, mathematics, grammar, astronomy, and Indian philosophy.
Under the patronage of the Pala dynasty during the 8th and 9th centuries CE, Nalanda University reached the pinnacle of its glory, earning international acclaim for its contributions to mathematics and astronomy. Noteworthy personalities like Aryabhata, the eminent Indian mathematician credited with the discovery of zero, graced the university as esteemed educators during the 6th century CE.
The admission process at Nalanda University was rigorous, akin to the selection criteria of contemporary prestigious institutions like IIT, IIM, or Ivy League colleges. Prospective students underwent stringent interviews and were mentored by a distinguished group of scholars under the guidance of revered Buddhist masters such as Dharmapala and Silabhadra. The university’s library, famously known as ‘Dharma Gunj’ or ‘Mountain of Truth’, housed an impressive collection of nine million handwritten palm-leaf manuscripts, making it a treasure trove of Buddhist wisdom.
Tragically, in the 1190s, Nalanda University met its demise at the hands of Bakhtiyar Khilji, a Turko-Afghan military general who set the institution ablaze, resulting in the destruction of invaluable Buddhist scriptures. Despite this catastrophic event, some surviving manuscripts found their way to institutions like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Yarlung Museum in Tibet. It wasn’t until 1812 that the university was rediscovered by the Scottish surveyor Francis Buchanan-Hamilton, with Sir Alexander Cunningham officially identifying it as the ancient seat of learning in 1861.
In a remarkable effort to revive Nalanda University’s legacy, former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam proposed the idea of resurrecting the institution in 2006. The momentum gained traction with the enactment of the Nalanda University Bill in 2010, leading to the commencement of operations in 2014 from a temporary site near Rajgir. The foundation stone for the permanent campus in Pilkhi village, Rajgir, was laid by former President Pranab Mukherjee in 2016, with construction commencing in 2017 culminating in the inauguration of the new campus today.
The state-of-the-art campus spans across 100 acres and seamlessly integrates eco-friendly architecture with ancient Vaastu principles, ensuring a minimal carbon footprint. Notable features include two blocks housing 40 classrooms catering to nearly 1,900 students, two auditoriums with a combined seating capacity exceeding 300, accommodation for up to 550 students in hostels, 197 academic housing units for faculty members, a sports complex, medical center, commercial center, and faculty club. Additionally, there are plans for a library capable of accommodating 300,000 books and serving 3,000 users by September.
Currently, Nalanda University operates six schools specializing in Buddhist studies, historical studies, ecology, sustainable development, languages, literature, and international relations. The university also houses four centers dedicated to Bay of Bengal Studies, Indo-Persian Studies, Conflict Resolution, and a Common Archival Resource Center. Offering a diverse range of postgraduate and doctoral research programs, short-term certificate courses, and scholarships for international students, Nalanda University stands as a symbol of global academic excellence..
“Nalanda University History India’s 1600-year-old Ivy League-like institution”
“Nalanda University History world’s oldest institution with teachers like Aryabhata”.
