Nalanda and Vikramshila University

Why in news?

• A process is under way to translate and publish hundreds of original Buddhist manuscripts from Nalanda and Vikramshila, saved during the burning of the ancient universities in the 12th and 13th centuries by Bakhtiyar Khilji’s army and later brought back to India from Tibet by traveller, freedom fighter and monk Rahul Sankrityayan.

More about the news:

• Nalanda and Vikramshila were the two most important centres of learning in India during the Pala Empire.
• During the year 1193, an army led by the Turkish leader Bakhtiyar Khilji, the general of sultan Qutubuddin Aibak destroyed these two.

About Nalanda University:

• Nalanda stands out as the most ancient university of the Indian Subcontinent, located in Bihar.
• It was established in 5^th century AD during the reign of Kumargupta of Gupta dynasty.
• Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang, came during Harsha’s reign, gave detail account of Nalanda University.
  • Nalanda was a huge monastic-educational establishment.
  • Teaching done in Sanskrit.
  • Primary teaching focus: Mahayana Buddhism, yet included other ‘secular’ subjects as well- Like, Grammar, logic, epistemology and sciences.
  • Active discussions and debates were taking place.
  • Harsha is said to have invited a thousand learned monks of Nalanda to take part in the philosophical assembly at Kanauj.
• It engaged in the organized transmission of knowledge over an uninterrupted period of 800 years.
• The historical development of the site testifies to the development of Buddhism into a religion and the flourishing of monastic and educational traditions.
• At its peak, it had attracted scholars and students from near and far with some travelling all the way from Tibet, China, Korea, and Central Asia.
• UNESCO has declared the site – the ruins of Nalanda Mahavihara – a World Heritage Site.

Destruction of Nalanda University:

• Nalanda University was destroyed three times by different invaders.
• The first destruction was caused by the Huns under the reign of Mihirakula.
• The second destruction came during the 7th century by the Goudas. This time, the Buddhist king Harshavardhana then restored the university.
• The third attack came on the Nalanda University by the Muslim army led by the Turkish leader Bakhtiyar Khilji during the year 1193
  • Bakhtiyar Khilji was known as the Indian scholar and teacher famous for the doctors of his court.
  • He decided to destroy the roots of the knowledge with Buddhism and Ayurveda.
  • He set the fire to the great library of Nalanda. Further, he burned down nearly 9 million manuscripts.

About Vikramashila University:

• It is in the present-day Bihar district of Bhagalpur.
• The Pala dynasty ruler Dharmapala (783–820 AD) founded Vikramashila in response to a perceived decrease in the level of study at Nalanda.
  • Dharampala was Gopala's son, who founded Odantapuri University. This demonstrates how important education was to the Pala rulers of Bengal and Bihar.
• The professors in University were asked to propagate Buddhist teachings by kingdoms from outside India.
• Vikramashila is mostly known from Tibetan sources, particularly the works of Taranatha, a 16th–17th century Tibetan monk historian.
• It was a center for Vajrayana Buddhism and employed Tantric preceptors.
• Logic, Vedas, astronomy, urban development, law, grammar, philosophy, and other disciplines were also taught.
• Vikramshila University drew students from all over the country as well as from other countries.
• The Kulpati or Mahasthavir, who was generally elected, was the University's highest authority.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Consider the following statements:

1. An army led by the Turkish leader Bakhtiyar Khilji destroyed Nalanda University in 12^th Century

2. The primary focus of teaching in the Nalanda University were Mahayana Buddhism

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither

Answer