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How many times Nalanda was destroyed?

The university – At its peak the school attracted scholars and students from near and far, with some travelling from,,, and, The highly formalised methods of studies helped the establishment of large teaching institutions such as, Nalanda, and, which are often characterised as India’s early universities.

Archaeological evidence also notes contact with the of Indonesia, one of whose kings built a monastery in the complex. Nalanda flourished under the patronage of the in the 5th and 6th centuries, and later under, the emperor of, The liberal cultural traditions inherited from the Gupta age resulted in a period of growth and prosperity until the ninth century CE.

The subsequent centuries were a time of gradual decline, a period during which the developments of Buddhism became most pronounced in eastern India under the, Much of our knowledge of Nalanda comes from the writings of pilgrim monks from Asia, such as and, who travelled to the Mahavihara in the 7th century CE.

Remarked that “a detailed history of Nalanda would be a history of Mahayanist Buddhism.” Many of the names listed by Xuanzang in his travelogue as alumni of Nalanda are the names of those who developed the overall philosophy of Mahayana. All students at Nalanda studied, as well as the texts of the eighteen () sects of Buddhism.

Their curriculum also included other subjects, such as the, logic, Sanskrit grammar, medicine, and, Nalanda was destroyed three times but was rebuilt only twice. It was ransacked and destroyed by an army of the of the under in c. 1202 CE, While some sources note that the Mahavihara continued to function in a makeshift fashion after this attack, it was eventually abandoned altogether and forgotten until the 19th century, when the site was surveyed and preliminary excavations were conducted by the,

1. Systematic excavations commenced in 1915, which unearthed eleven monasteries and six brick temples neatly arranged on grounds 12 hectares (30 acres) in area.
2. A trove of sculptures, coins, seals, and inscriptions have also been discovered in the ruins, many of which are on display in the Nalanda Archaeological Museum, situated nearby.

Nalanda is now a notable tourist destination, and a part of the Buddhist tourism circuit. On 25 November 2010, the Indian government, through an Act of Parliament, ‘resurrected’ the ancient university through the Nalanda University Bill, with which they chose to create a new and unrelated relatively nearby.
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Why Nalanda University was burnt?

The lesser known story – It is said that Bakhtiyar Khilji had fallen sick and doctors in his court failed to cure him. Then, someone advised him to get himself cured by Rahul Sri Bhadra, the principal of Nalanda University. Khilji was too proud of his Islamic culture and refused to get himself treated by a person outside his religion.

But his health worsened and he was left with no other option but to invite Bhadra from Nalanda. But Khilji put a condition and asked Bhadra to cure him without any medicines. Bhadra then asked Khilji to read some pages from the Koran as a remedy to his illness and to everyone’s surprise Khilji was cured.

Disturbed by the fact that an Indian scholar and teacher knew more than the doctors of his court, Khilji decided to destroy the roots of knowledge, Buddhism and Ayurveda, from the country. He set fire to the great library of Nalanda and burned down nearly 9 million manuscripts.
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What was the rule of admission in Nalanda University?

Nalanda University Admission FAQs – Q. What is the mode of application for Nalanda University admissions? A. The application process for Nalanda University admissions is online.Q. What is the application fee of Nalanda University admission forms? A. The application fee for all courses is Rs 500.Q.

1. What entrance exam scores are accepted for admission to the MBA course at Nalanda University? A.
2. Nalanda University grants admissions to its MBA course on the basis of a valid score in CAT/ XAT or MAT.
3. The candidates must have obtained a minimum score of 70 percentile in these entrance exams.Q.
4. Can working professionals apply to PhD at Nalanda University? A.

Yes, Nalanda University offers part-time PhD courses for working professionals, who are required to submit a No Objection Certificate from their current employers as proof.Q. What is the eligibility for MA at Nalanda University? A. The eligibility for the MA programme at Nalanda University is a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 55% aggregate.Q.

• What are the courses offered at Nalanda University? A.
• Nalanda University offers a range of postgraduate, doctoral, diploma, PG diploma, and certificate courses in Humanities, Management, and Science.Q.
• What is the selection procedure for various courses at Nalanda University? A.
• For admission to various courses at Nalanda University, candidates are shortlisted based on merit in the last qualifying examination along with the Statement of Purpose and a Personal Interview.

MBA applicants are selected based on their scores in entrance exams like CAT, MAT, and XAT.Q. How many specialisations does Nalanda University offer in PhD? A. Nalanda University offers a PhD programme in three specialisations, namely Ecology & Environmental Studies, Historical Studies, and Buddhist Studies, Philosophy & Comparative Religions.Q.
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Who destroyed Nalanda College?

The Establishment Of Mahavira Was Formed By The Emperor Kumar Gupta In The Fifth Century A.D. From The 5th To 12th Century The Knowledge Of This Place Was In The State Of Climax. Due To International Reputation, Large Number Of Students Had Come To Study From China, Mongolia, Tibet, Korea And Other Asian Countries.

• The Level Of Teaching Was Extremely High Here.
• To Get An Education In Mahavihar One Was Tested By A Teacher.
• The Leading Centre Of Teaching Of Mahayana Buddhism Was Nalanda But Other Topics Of Education Were Also Featured Here.
• Finally At The End Of 12th Century Invader Bakhityar Khilji Demolished The Monastery, Killed The Monks And Burned The Valuable Library.

At Present In View Of The Fact That This Place Was A Symbol Of Asian Unity And Strength, The Nalanda International University Is Being Established Nearby.

Nalanda Ruins inside view nalanda ruins inside Nalanda Ruins Inside

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How long did Nalanda burn?

More than 1000 years ago, there was a University like no where else in the world. Called Nalanda, this university was a flourishing centre of knowledge, and attracted students from as far as Persia, Turkey, Greece, China and Tibet. Accommodating up to 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers, the university housed a library unmatched anywhere else in the world. Then in 1193 AD, came a marauding army of Turks under Bakthiyar Khilji. The savages ransacked and looted Nalanda. Thousands of monks were burnt alive and thousands more were beheaded. The great Library was put on fire and its massive collection of books and manuscripts continued to burn for three months. We reached Nalanda in the afternoon, when the sun was at its peak and the weather unbearably hot. A tourist guide standing nearby convinced us to hire him, so we took him along, bought the tickets and went inside. Nalanda was one of the world’s first residential universities and was so huge, that the current excavated area of 14 hectares represents only 10 percent of the original area. The main gateway with its mighty towers—which was glorified in the writings of Xuanzang—was never recivered, so the walls have been broken to create a gate. As we crossed the thick walls, we came to the courtyard. There were nine hostels housing rows of double storied rooms for the students, and each hostel had a central courtyard which served as the meditation hall and community kitchen, each with its own water source. Off to one side, the residential staff quarters (accommodating 1000 teachers) had an anteroom each for meditation. Since the area is as flat as the palm of a hand, the drainage was built in such a way that the gradient would slowly increase taking the refuge to the dumps.

Almost everything was made of bricks—while the original brick masonry was precise to the point where there was no margin for error, the layer built by the British, and later the ASI, had already started to taper off. The most famous part of Nalanda is its giant stupa. Built in seven successive rounds, it originally had a flight of stairs leading up to a terrace.

Before the excavations, the stupa had been totally covered by earth and resembled a small hillock. Surrounding the main stupa are several smaller stupas, which contain the remains of the monks and scholars who once resided at the university.
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Is Nalanda the oldest university in the world?

University of Nalanda | Oldest Universities In The World – Many people wonder- is Nalanda the oldest university in the world? The answer is, yes, Nalanda University is considered by many to be one of the oldest universities in the world. It thrived during the Gupta empire from 500 AD to 1300 AD.
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Who fired Nalanda library?

Lesser Known Facts Nalanda University –

The massive library of Nalanda was called Dharma Gunj, meaning the Treasury of Truth or the Mountain of Truth. It contained hundreds of thousands of books. It is believed that the library of Nalanda was so huge that it burned for months after the university was ransacked by Bakhtiyar Khilji and the library was set on fire. Nalanda was attacked three times by the invaders – the Huns, the Gaudas, and finally Bhaktiyar Khilji who brought about its complete destruction. Archeologists and historians are of the opinion that just 10% of the Nalanda campus has been excavated till date. Around 90% remain to be excavated. The ruins of Nalanda were the location for the shooting of the popular song “O Mere Raja” from the Bollywood movie Johny Mera Naam starring Hema Malini and Dev Anand.

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Why was Nalanda famous for 6?

Nalanda University was the global hub of education in ancient times. It was the world’s first residential university. Founder Of Buddhism ‘Gautam Buddh’ stayed in Nalanda for long time during his journey to Buddhism.
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Is Nalanda University still running?

Schools and centres – Nalanda is exclusively a graduate school, currently offering master’s courses, and doctor of philosophy programmes. Nalanda University has five functional Schools at present:

• School of Historical Studies
• School of Ecology and Environmental Studies
• School of Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Religion
• School of Languages and Literature/Humanities
• School of Management Studies

The following schools are planned to start later, in a phased manner:

• School of International Relations and Peace Studies
• School of Information Sciences and Technology
• School of Business Management (Public Policy and Development Studies)

Three centres — Centre for Bay of Bengal, Centre for Conflict Resolution and Peace Building, and Common Archival Resource Centre— will be operational soon. The School of Languages and Literature/Humanities commenced its operations with one year Post-Graduate Diploma Programmes in Pali, Sanskrit, Tibetan, Korean and English in 2018.
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Is Nalanda and Taxila same?

While some consider Taxila to be an early university or centre of higher education, others do not consider it a university in the modern sense, in contrast to the later Nalanda University. Takshashila is described in some detail in later Jātaka tales, written in Sri Lanka around the 5th century CE.
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What is the old name of Taxila?

Takhshashila – According to Taxila is said to have been founded by the son of the brother of the legendary hero, and stood on a hill that commanded the river Tamra Nala, a tributary of the Indus. It is held to have been an important cultural centre since inception, and the was reported to have first been recited here.

The site of the first city at Taxila is known now as the Bhir Mound. The city of Taxila, known in antiquity as Takhshasila, was a renowned site of Gandhara, especially after ‘s rule and in the 1st century CE Kushan era. The name Taxila is a approximation of the original name. In Aramaic the city is known as Naggaruda, the ‘City of Cut Stones’ which is also the Buddhist name for the city, at least if taken literally i.e.

taks meanining to cut or fashion something, which implies this name. However, in the same vein sila is also related to “sira” meaning “head” in Buddhist traditions and relates to the story of the Boddhisattva who voluntary had himself beheaded in sacrifice to a local Brahman in the city of Bhadrasila which the, while relating this story, is said to have linked to Taxila.

The city of Sirkap also has a similar meaning i.e. sir or head and kap, to cut but this has not been proven satisfactorily yet. Chu-cha-shi-lo is the Chinese name given to the region found in the accounts of the Chinese pilgrims. In, it is known as Takshasila, Takkasila or Takhashila and was also said to be the land of the Takhshas-a serpent race who could change their form at will to mingle with humans.

Another Brahmanical tradition relates that it was the capital city of Taksha, son of Bharata, who was installed here as king. The ancient city was revered as having one of the world’s first universities and flourished during the 1st to 5th centuries CE as part of the civilization of Gandhara under various rulers.

• A variety of subjects were taught there, including mathematics, sciences,, astronomy,, politics, and military sciences although it was not an institutionalised center of learning but rather a combination of religious plus secular studies centered around monasteries.
• Situated on “The Royal Highway” (as termed by the Greek Megasthenes) It was connected to Pataliputra (modern day Patna) in the north eastern reaches of the, western Asia (through ), across the Indus River at Hund and through Kashmir with Central Asia by way of Srinagar, leading down to Haripur.

This allowed a steady influx of people from all over the Asiatic regions into the area in the form of traders, settlers, merchants, preachers and invaders.
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Who was born in Taxila?

Why is great philosopher Kautilya not part of Pakistan’s historical consciousness? Kautilya is just one of many people our nation has made a pariah without realising what they stood for.

• When nearby residents tire of the daily grind, and when the temperatures soar in the summer, they seek respite at the glistening Khanpur Lake, located in the Haripur District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
• But on the way to Khanpur, just beyond the precipice of Taxila, one notices there a signboard that has rusted with age. Mohra Muradu Remains, it says, marking a thin road that snakes off into lush fields reminiscent of all those beautiful vistas you might see in a nature documentary on Pakistan
• Walking along the road, one sees a small village perched upon a mountain, and a stream that rumbles with the authentic, tidal force of Mother Nature.
• East of that stream are the remains of an old settlement, fairly preserved: a large stupa and other structures crafted out of black stone, the remnants of a 2nd century BC monastery called Mohra Muradu.

The Mohra Muradu monastery lightly kissed by sunlight. – Photo: Saif Tahir Mohra Muradu was one of the 18 monasteries – Jolian, Dharmarajika, Sirkap, and Pipplan being the other important ones – that constituted Takshashila – the world’s first known university and a powerhouse of academic knowledge.

It is to be noted that although the word ‘university’ was not invented back then, Takshashila, which was formed in 7th century BC, functioned very much like a university. The Buddhist sacred scriptures, the Jatakas, mention Takshashila as a centuries-old centre for learning. It was here that the Mahabharta was first said to be recited.

The rise of Gandhara, a kingdom in the northwestern region of present-day Pakistan, had a significant impact on Takshashila’s growth. The university offered 63 courses that included Vedas, astronomy, philosophy, surgery, politics, warfare, commerce, music, archery, and other performing arts. A stupa of the Dharmarajika monastery. – Photo: Saif Tahir According to other Buddhist texts, such as the Pali Canon, Brahmin princes and students migrated from far distances to enroll at Takshashila, and its alumni include a thorough list of notables: Jatopil, the commander in chief of Banaras; Jivaka, who cured Buddha; Parasasenajit, the ruler of Kosala; Panini, a great grammarian; and Charaka, a famous physician.

But perhaps the institution’s most noteworthy alumni is the legendary political philosopher and thinker, Chanakya, better known as Kautilya, the author of Arthashastra, often compared to the Italian mastermind Machiavelli and his book The Prince, There is a popular South Asian adage: “jo gur se maray, usay zehar kyun do”,

The saying originates from an intriguing interaction between a prince, Maurya, and Chanakya, back in 330 BC. The Dharmarajika monastery’s remains. – Photo: Saif Tahir Maurya was on a stroll one day when he noticed an odd sight: Chanakya, on his knees, pouring honey on to the roots of grass. Maurya approached him and inquired of his purpose, to which Chanakya replied that he was sweetening the roots.

Apparently, Chanakya had tripped over the grass while walking. He decided it was much better to uproot the grass permanently so that he never stumbles over it again, rather than removing it temporarily. And so he was sweetening the roots, because the colonies of ants under the soil would sniff out the nectar, find it, and nibble through the roots, rendering the grass dead for good.

Nalanda University Student Life | What International student says about Nalanda New Campus

Impressed by Chanakya’s wisdom, Maurya henceforth hired him as chief advisor for state affairs. This laid the foundation for a long and enduring relationship between Chanakya and Chandra Gupta Maurya – one which helped establish a state so powerful and vast it stretched across the entire Indian subcontinent and lasted for nearly 150 years. The remains of the Sirkap monastery. – Photo: Saif Tahir Not many are privy to Chanakya’s indissoluble relationship with what’s today Pakistan. Born in the suburbs of present-day Taxila, young Chanakya’s burgeoning intellect had him quickly noticed, and for his studies he was admitted to Takshashila, where he rose above the ranks and was hired as a teacher during his 20’s.

• His magnum opus Arthashastra talks about various subjects of power and facets of governance.
• It enlists the duties of the ruler, the associates, and the advisor; discusses intricate matters, such as the art of diplomacy, the rules of unleashing and defending wars, the duties of the state during peacetime; domestic governance affairs like taxation, commerce, law, municipal affairs; social norms and customs; and artisan work, agriculture, medicine, and census.

On one hand, it provides an account of the Chandragupta army – the facts, numbers, weapons – and on the other, it says, “mere numbers do not count for much; without discipline and proper leadership they may become a burden.” A board reading the history of the Mohra Muradu monastery. – Photo: Saif Tahir Unlike Lahore – where the city sounds off frequently in recognition of the poet and philosopher Allama Iqbal – Taxila, a much older city, is devoid of any reference to its son, Chanakya.

1. Some time ago, there was an ; however, the political rifts and bureaucratic hurdles relegated it to an unending limbo.
2. Today, the only references to his existence are the shattered monasteries and the shambled remains of the once-great Takshashila.
3. Of these monasteries, Mohra Muradu is still a thriving village: an abode to 200 families, encircled by mountains and fields, home also to orchards and olive grafting.

The settlement history of the village is unknown, but to locals it is as old as the monastery’s remains. A view of the Pipplan monastery. – Photo: Saif Tahir A young university graduate, Anis ur Rehman, runs the only private school in the village. He is proud of his village as being part of the world’s first learning centre, and of it he says: “Mohra Muradu is a historical village.

1. Sir Syed Ideal School, the school he runs, has a block named after his grandfather, Master Abdul Rehman, one of the first graduates of Aligarh University in Uttar Pradesh, India.
2. While showing his small school library, named after Chanakya, Anis continues: “I have read about Chanakya and it is a matter of pride for us that we gave the world a philosopher who is revered everywhere.”
3. Henry Kissinger in his book World Order described Chanakya’s Arthashastra as avant-garde that established hard power as a dominant reality in politics and validated realism much earlier than Machiavelli’s The Prince,
4. Whilst the world recognises Chanakya’s stature as a philosopher, he’s nothing more than another example of how our nation has made someone a pariah without realising what they stood for.

Chanakya is damned for obvious reasons. He is presumed to be a representative of the Brahmin mindset and Hindu culture which we have parted from a long time ago. Merely this was enough to disqualify him from the stature of a learned philosopher of the soil.

Hence, not a single reference of him is found in the country, whereas we already have buildings and campuses named after scientists and philosophers from different eras and places. Nothing can describe this irony better than The Indus Saga, in which Aitzaz Ahsan writes in the preface: ” a nation in denial of its national identity is unfortunate.

But when it chooses to adopt an extra-territorial identity, it becomes a prisoner of propaganda and myths. This is the Pakistan of today, not the Pakistan of its founders. Identity is at the heart of its problem”. If Pakistan is to come out of its tortuous identity crisis, it needs to accept its non-Muslim history as its own.
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How big was Nalanda University?

Nalanda

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Why was Nalanda famous for 6?

Nalanda University was the global hub of education in ancient times. It was the world’s first residential university. Founder Of Buddhism ‘Gautam Buddh’ stayed in Nalanda for long time during his journey to Buddhism.
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Is Nalanda or Oxford university older?

The oldest university in India is Serampore College, West Bengal. Over 100 years after they were established, some of the oldest institutions continue to serve as pillars of the community. The oldest university in India is the Senate of Serampoe college, West Bengal.

The oldest universities in India act as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage and its significance. Nalanda was primarily established by Kumara Gupta, a Buddhist monastery that worked as a university set up in Bihar. Nalanda University is known as the first university in India. The university was established in the 5th century and lasted till the 13th century.

UGC re-established Nalanda University in 2007. It was an important learning centre before Oxford, Cambridge, and Europe’s oldest university, Bologna.
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How was Nalanda University Born 11th class?

Solution : Nalanda University was bom with the help of charity and public donations. It was founded with an endowment created by 500 traders who purchased the land and offered it to Lord Buddha.
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Grady A. Lowry

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