From Nalanda ruins, ‘university of future’ is ready with new campus, courses

From Nalanda ruins, ‘university of future’ is ready with new campus, courses

Subject :History

Section: Art and Culture

• Now, as the new campus of Nalanda University prepares for a formal inauguration, the focus is on how best it can retain the cultural and architectural ethos of Nalanda Mahavihara, the 5th-12th Century AD university that is considered to be one of the greatest centres of learning in ancient India.

Nalanda Mahavira

• The ruins of ancient Nalanda Mahavihara (also known as old Nalanda University) of Bihar has been included in the List of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site.
• Nalanda Mahavihara ruins comprise the archaeological remains of monastic-cum-scholastic from the 5th century BC to the 13th century AD.
• Nalanda Mahavihara was founded by Kumargupta I(Shakraditya) of the Gupta dynasty in 5th century CE. It was the earliest planned university in the Indian subcontinent.
• It was patronized by various rulers including King Harshavardhana of Kannauj (7th century CE) and the Pala rulers (8th to 12th century CE) as well as various scholars.
• Presently, it is preserved in number of remains of stupas (temple-like structure), shrines and viharas (residential-cum-scholastic structure) and important art works in stucco, stone and metal.
• It’s also been referred to as “one of the first great universities in recorded history.”
• It is a large Buddhist monastery in India’s ancient kingdom of Magadha (modern-day Bihar).
• The major monks are reported to have been Mahayana monks such as Asnaga and Vasubandhu.
• Even though it taught about all sects of Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism was the primary subject of instruction, although other secular disciplines like grammar, logic, epistemology, and science were also covered.
• The University had ten temples, meditation centers, and the world’s largest library, which was divided into three buildings: Ratnasagara (nine-story building), Ratnadadhi, and Ratnaranjaka, and housed not only religious manuscripts but also a vast collection of books on literature, astrology, philosophy, science, warfare, and other subjects.
• Famous scholars of Nalanda are Nagarjuna (Madhyamika Shunyavad) and Aryabhatta, the astronomer.
• There were lively arguments and debates going on. Harsha is supposed to have invited a thousand educated Nalanda monks to attend the Kanauj philosophical meeting.
• During King Harsha’s reign, Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang visited Nalanda University and wrote a detailed account of the university.
  • Hiuen Tsang attended university for two years.
• I-Tsing, a Chinese scholar, stated that Nalanda housed 2,000 students and was supported by money from 200 villages.
• A large number of students had come to study from China, Mongolia, Tibet, Korea, and other Asian countries.
• Archaeological evidence also indicates contact with the Indonesian Shailendra dynasty, one of whose kings built a monastery in the complex.