Nalanda University:10 interesting Facts About 1600-year Old institution, A Quest to Make India Knowledge Centre
On June 19, 2024, the inauguration of the new campus of Nalanda University in Rajgir, Bihar by Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a fascinating chapter. Here are 10 captivating insights into the university where Aryabhata once imparted knowledge.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking the opening of the expansive 450-acre campus designed as a ‘Net Zero’ Green Campus, emphasizing sustainability.
Comprising two academic blocks with 40 classrooms accommodating approximately 1900 students, the campus also features two auditoriums seating 300 students each. Additional facilities include a hostel for 550 students, an international center, a 2000-seat amphitheater, a clubhouse, and a sports complex. The new campus not only boasts advanced infrastructure but also symbolizes the rebirth of an ancient hub of intellectual pursuit.
The event drew dignitaries such as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and ambassadors from various countries.
History of Nalanda University
Located in the ancient kingdom of Magadha (present-day Bihar), Nalanda University was established in the 5th century CE near Rajagriha, close to Patliputra (modern-day Patna). Regarded as the world’s first residential university, it attracted scholars from across the globe, including Korea, Japan, China, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Tibet, and Southeast Asia.
During the 8th and 9th centuries, under the patronage of the Pala dynasty, Nalanda University flourished, offering education in disciplines such as medicine, Ayurveda, Buddhism, mathematics, grammar, astronomy, and Indian philosophy.
The university’s impact is most pronounced in fields like mathematics and astronomy. Aryabhata, the Indian mathematician credited with inventing zero, was among the distinguished educators during the 6th century CE.
Admission to the university was highly competitive, involving rigorous interviews. Accepted students received mentorship from a consortium of scholars under the guidance of Buddhist masters like Dharmapala and Silabhadra. The university’s library, known as ‘Dharma Gunj’ or the ‘Mountain of Truth,’ housed nine million hand-written palm-leaf manuscripts, making it the richest repository of Buddhist knowledge.
Fascinating aspects of Nalanda University
Established in the 5th century CE, Nalanda University garnered global acclaim for its excellence across various disciplines.
The library of Nalanda University, dubbed “Dharma Gunj” or “Mountain of Truth,” housed over nine million books, including sacred manuscripts, stored in a nine-storey structure known as Ratnodadhi.
It was the world’s inaugural residential university, accommodating over 10,000 students and 2000 teachers.
A pivotal center for Buddhist studies, it offered courses in astronomy, medicine, logic, and mathematics.
Situated amidst the Nalanda ruins, it achieved UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2016, underscoring its cultural and historical significance.
The proposal to revive Nalanda University was first mooted by former President APJ Abdul Kalam in 2006.
Reopening its doors in 2014 after an 800-year hiatus, Nalanda University marked a profound milestone in the annals of the world’s oldest seats of learning. The new campus signifies the resurgence of the ancient university, amalgamating timeless wisdom with contemporary knowledge.
The revival of one of the world’s oldest universities underscores a fusion of ancient wisdom with modern understanding.
Aryabhatt, the mathematician credited with the invention of zero, is believed to have studied and taught at Nalanda.
It drew students from diverse corners of the world, including Korea, Japan, China, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Tibet, and Southeast Asia.