10 Lesser-Known Facts About Ancient Nalanda University

Nalanda University was established in the 5th century CE under the patronage of the Gupta Empire, particularly during the reign of Kumaragupta I.

The university's library, known as Dharmaganja, was an extensive and renowned library complex consisting of three large buildings, including the Ratnasagara, Ratnadadhi, and Ratnaranjaka, which housed hundreds of thousands of manuscripts.

Although Nalanda was a major Buddhist center, it was open to students of different faiths and philosophies, promoting a wide range of subjects including Buddhism, Hindu scriptures, mathematics, astronomy, and medicine.

Nalanda attracted students and scholars from all over Asia, including China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Mongolia, Turkey, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. Famous Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) studied and taught there.

The admission process at Nalanda was rigorous. Prospective students had to undergo an oral examination by a panel of learned monks, ensuring that only the best and brightest were admitted.

The university was an architectural marvel, with eight separate compounds, ten temples, meditation halls, classrooms, lakes, parks, and even a nine-story library tower.

The curriculum was highly structured, with a system of daily lectures, debates, and discussions. Nalanda was known for its methodical approach to education, which included a structured schedule and periodic assessments.

Nalanda was a fully residential university with accommodation for over 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers. The residential facilities were well-organized, with amenities for comfortable living and studying.

Nalanda made significant contributions to the fields of astronomy and mathematics. Aryabhata, the famous mathematician-astronomer, is believed to have been associated with Nalanda.

Nalanda University was destroyed multiple times by invaders. The most notable destruction was carried out by Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1193 CE, which led to a significant decline in its influence and eventually its abandonment.