Nalanda University

Nalanda University is The World’s First Residential University, founded in 427 CE during the reign of the Gupta Emperor ( Kumaragupta I ). It was formerly known as “Nalanda Mahavihara”. The name is derived from the Sanskrit words “Na-Alam-Da” which means “Giver of knowledge”. Nalanda University is a Central Research University which is located in Rajgir City , Bihar,India. The students of Nalanda were coming from all over Asia, studying Buddhism, Philosophy, Mathematics, Astronomy, Medicine, and literature. It is an International University which is designated by Government as an Institute of National Importance and excellence. Nalanda is flagship University of the Ministry of External Affairs of India .

Let’s Explore More About Nalanda University History & It’s Revival

10 Lines About Nalanda University

1. Nalanda University is a Central Research University which is located in Rajgir City , Bihar,India.
2. Nalanda University is founded on 427 CE during the Gupta Empire ( Emperor of Kumaragupta I).
3. The university thrived from 5 CE to 12 CE as First Residential University of world , Unfortunately It was destroyed in the 12th Century by Bakhtiyar Khilji’s Army due to Religious and political factor.
4. The Nalanda University had a vast library complex named “Dharmaganja“. It contained thousands of ancient handwritten manuscripts on various subjects .
5. The Chinese scholar-monk Xuanzang studied and taught at Nalanda University around 630–643 CE during his stay in India.
6. Nalanda University had attracted scholars to it campus from places as far away Japan, Tibet, China, Korea , Mangolia, Srilanka and South East Asia.
7. Nalanda University was re-established on 25th November 2010 through an Act of the Parliament of India. The idea to revive the ancient Nalanda University was first proposed by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in 2006, when he was the President of India.
8. Nalanda University provided comprehensive education, offering courses at the graduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels.
9. The State Government of Bihar, under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar, Allocated 455 acres of land for the university campus at a strategic location.
10. The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, officially opened the New Campus of Nalanda University on 19 June 2024 in Rajgir, Bihar. This university is envisioned as a partnership between India and the countries of the East Asia Summit (EAS). The inauguration ceremony was graced by several distinguished guests, including the Heads of Missions from 17 different countries.

Nalanda University History & Revival

Nalanda University is world’s oldest “Center of Learning “.It was founded in 427 CE during the Gupta Emperor ( Kumargupta I ). The Nalanda University was formerly know as ” Nalanda Mahavihara ” The University thrived 800 years till the end in 12th century CE. It was sustained by conscientiousness of the learned monks and teachers. Nalanda University possessed 2,000 teachers and 10,000 students during the 7th century CE. Nalanda University had attracted scholars to it campus from places as far away Japan, Tibet, China, Korea , Mangolia, Srilanka and South East Asia.
Nalanda University was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji in the 12th century CE due to religious intolerance toward Buddhist and Hindu learning. He killed many monks and scholars and set fire to the Nalanda library, known as “Dharmaganja.” The library burned for several months and contained thousands of ancient handwritten manuscripts on various subjects, leading to the complete ruin of the ancient Nalanda University.

In 2006,while addressing a joint session of Bihar State Legislative Assembly, The former president of India Dr. APJ Abdul kalam ,proposed the revival of ancient Nalanda university. later received international support at the 2nd East Asia Summit in 2007 by 16 member of countries. Nalanda University was re-established on 25th November 2010 through an Act of the Parliament of India.
In 2014, The Nalanda University first batch of students are enrolled .The State Government of Bihar, under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar, Allocated 455 acres of land for the university campus at a strategic location.
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, officially opened the New Campus of Nalanda University on 19 June 2024 in Rajgir, Bihar. This university is envisioned as a partnership between India and the countries of the East Asia Summit (EAS). The inauguration ceremony was graced by several distinguished guests, including the Heads of Missions from 17 different countries.

Who destroyed Nalanda University

Nalanda University was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji, a Turkic military general of the Delhi Sultanate, around 1193 CE (12th century).
He attacked the university because of religious intolerance toward the learning of Buddhists and Hindus. He killed many monks and scholars and burned the great library known as “Dharmaganja”, which had housed thousands of ancient manuscripts. As a result, ancient Nalanda University was completely ruined.

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Conclusion

Thank you for reading this article. I hope it has cleared all your questions regarding Nalanda University. In this article, I have tried to explain the history of Nalanda University in as short and easy a way as possible, including who built it and who destroyed it ,10 Lines About Nalanda University ,10 Lines About Nalanda in English & Short note on Nalanda University.

Resources

• https://nalandauniv.edu.in/about-nalanda/history-and-revival/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nalanda_University
• https://nalanda.nic.in/en/tourist-place/ancient-nalanda-universitys-ruins/

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