06/06/2026
10 POINTS ABOUT
π΄ 1 Established in 5th Century CE
Nalanda University was established during the reign of Kumaragupta I of the Gupta Dynasty
around the 5th century CE.
π΄ 2 World First Residential University
It was one of the earliest residential universities, with a well-planned campus that included monasteries, lecture halls, and libraries.
π΄ 3 Center of Learning
Nalanda was a major center of study in Buddhism, philosophy, logic, grammar, medicine, astronomy, and more.
π΄4 Attracted Scholars from Around the World
Students and teachers came from China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Persia, and Southeast Asia to study at Nalanda.
π΄ 5 Renowned Teachers
Great scholars like Aryabhata, Nagarjuna, Dharmapala, and Shantaraksh*ta were associated with Nalanda.
π΄6 Vast Library
Nalanda had a huge library complex called Dharmaganja - Ratnasagara, Ratnodadhi, and Ratnaranjaka - which held thousands of books
π΄ 7 Difficult Admission Process
Admission was highly competitive. Students had to pass a tough entrance test conducted by scholars at the university gate.
π΄ 8 Thriving for Over 700 Years
Nalanda flourished for over seven centuries (5th to 12th century CE) and was a beacon of knowledge in the ancient world.
π΄ 9 Destroyed in 12th Century
Nalanda was destroyed around 1193 CE by turkic invader Bakhtiyar Khilji. The library was burned for months.
π΄ 10 Revived in Modern Times
Nalanda University was reestablished in 2010 as an international institution to revive its glorious legacy of learning and wisdom.