Context: A decade after Nalanda University came up in the foothills of Rajgir, work is on to revive another ancient centre of learning in Bihar — Vikramshila.

Background: –

• The ASI has been developing the ancient Vikramshila University site since December to boost tourism, while the Bihar government recently allocated 202.14 acres in Antichak, Bhagalpur, for the proposed Central University. Despite the Centre’s 2015 approval and a ?500 crore sanction, the project had stalled due to land allocation delays.

Key points

• Vikramshila University was an ancient center of learning established during the Pala Empire in medieval India. It was renowned for its focus on Buddhist education, particularly the Vajrayana sect of Mahayana Buddhism.

Key Facts:

• Founded by: Dharmapala (c. 8th–9th century), a ruler of the Pala Dynasty.
• Location: Present-day Bhagalpur, Bihar.
• Notable Scholars: Atisha Dipankara Srijnana – A key Buddhist scholar who spread Vajrayana Buddhism to Tibet.
• It had a rigorous selection process for scholars and focused on Buddhist philosophy, logic, grammar, and metaphysics.
• Supported by Pala rulers, who were great patrons of Buddhism.
• Destroyed by: Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1203 CE, during the Turkish invasions, along with Nalanda and Odantapuri universities.

Comparison with Nalanda

• While Nalanda university flourished from the Gupta Period (320-550 AD) to the 12th Century, Vikramshila thrived during the Pala Period (8th to 12th century). 
• While Nalanda got more international fame for teaching varied disciplines, Vikramshila was the only university that specialised in tantric and occult studies. In fact, during Dharmapala’s reign, Vikramshila reigned supreme and is known to have controlled Nalanda’s affairs as well.
• At its peak, subjects such as theology, philosophy, grammar, metaphysics and logic were taught at Vikramshila. But the most important branch of learning were the tantras because Vikramshila flourished in the days of tantricism, when occult sciences and magic were subjects of study both in Buddhism as well as Hinduism.
• While Nalanda is the older of the two universities, at one point, the two centres of learning, who had a common patron in King Dharmapala, exchanged knowledge and even teachers, who were called Acharyas.

Source: Indian Express