Context: The Prime Minister inaugurated the new campus of Nalanda University, close to the site of the ancient ruins of Nalanda in Rajgir, Bihar.

About

• The Parliament of India established the Nalanda University through the Nalanda University Act, 2010.

• It started functioning in 2014 from a makeshift location with 14 students, and construction work started in 2017.

Ancient Nalanda University

• The ancient Nalanda University was established in the 5th century by the Gupta ruler Kumaragupta I.

• It includes stupas, shrines, viharas (residential and educational buildings) and important art works in stucco, stone and metal. 

• It was patronized by various rulers including King Harshavardhana of Kannauj (7th century CE) and the Pala rulers (8th – 12th century CE).

• Courses and Curriculum: Nalanda University offered a wide range of subjects including theology, grammar, logic, astronomy, metaphysics, medicine, and philosophy. Both Hindu and Buddhist doctrines were studied, reflecting a diverse intellectual tradition.

• International Influence: The university attracted scholars from all over Asia. Notable international students included Xuanzang and Yijing from China. The university's curriculum and scholarly output influenced educational systems in many parts of Asia.

• Architecture and Campus: The campus of Nalanda University was spread over a large area with numerous monasteries and temples. The architectural design included stupas, chaityas, and viharas, indicating a complex dedicated to scholarly and spiritual pursuits.

• Library: Nalanda had an extensive library known as Dharmaganja, which comprised three large buildings: Ratnasagara (Ocean of Jewels), Ratnadadhi (Sea of Jewels), and Ratnaranjaka (Delighter of Jewels). It housed thousands of manuscripts and texts.

• Destruction and Rediscovery: Nalanda University was destroyed in the 12th century by Bakhtiyar Khilji's army. The ruins were rediscovered and excavated in the 19th and 20th centuries, revealing the grandeur of this ancient seat of learning.

• The site after its decline was first discovered by Sir Francis Buchanan and was systematically excavated and consolidated by the Archaeological Survey of India.

• Historical Travellers: Accounts from Chinese travelers like Hiuen-Tsang and I-Tsing provide detailed insights into the university's academic and cultural richness.

• UN Heritage Site: The ruins of Nalanda were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016, underscoring its global historical significance.

Academic Curriculum 

• The curriculum of Nalanda included major Buddhist philosophies like Madhyamaka, Yogachara and Sarvastivada, as well as other subjects like the Vedas, grammar, medicine, logic, mathematics, astronomy and alchemy.

• Chinese scholar Xuanzang (Hsüan-tsang) visited Nalanda in 637 and 642 CE, and studied under the guidance of Shilabhadra.

Significance

• It attracted students from all over the world and stands out as the most ancient university of the Indian Subcontinent.

• In 2016 it was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Takshila

• Founded in: 5th-6th century BCE. 

• The world’s first University was established in Takshila or Taxila or Takshashila (now in Pakistan).

• This centre of learning was an important Vedic/Hindu and Buddhist center of learning.

• Chinese travellers like Fa Hian (Faxain) and Huien Tsang (XuanZang) also speak of Takshila in their writings.

• Takshashila is perhaps best known because of its association with Chanakya (Chanakya's famous treatise ArthaShastra is said to have been written in Takshashila).