The Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda Mahavihara) was one of the oldest and most renowned universities in the world. Situated in ancient Magadha, India, it was a major centre for Buddhist studies.
Nalanda faced attacks multiple times in its history, but the largest and most complete destruction occurred in 1193.
The main person responsible for the destruction of Nalanda is considered to be the Turko-Afghan invader Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji.
Under Khilji’s leadership, the army attacked and destroyed the university, slaughtering the Buddhist monks who resided there.
Destruction of the Library: Khilji set fire to Nalanda’s nine-storey, vast library (Dharmaganja – Repository of Knowledge). Historians record that this library, which housed millions of manuscripts, burned for months. This led to the loss of a large collection of ancient Indian knowledge.
The exact reason behind Khilji’s attack is historically debated. It is said that the destruction was motivated by his anger upon realizing his prejudices about native physicians were wrong, combined with his intolerance towards the growth of Buddhism.
Nalanda’s destruction played a significant role in dimming the glory of Buddhist learning and monasteries in India.
Nalanda Mahavihara: UNESCO World Heritage Site
A crucial milestone in recognizing the importance of Nalanda as a global cultural heritage was its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list on July 15, 2016.
Name on the List: “Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University)”
Ancient Centre of Knowledge: Nalanda was one of the most important educational institutions in the world, spanning from the 5th century BCE to the 13th century CE. UNESCO recognized its unique influence as a centre of education during that specific period.
The remains of Nalanda, discovered through archaeological research, are an excellent architectural model (architectural complex) of ancient Indian monasteries and universities. They include the ruins of Buddhist monasteries, temples, vast classrooms, and meditation halls.
Nalanda served as an important link for cultural and intellectual exchange with many Asian countries, especially China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, and Indonesia. The knowledge from Nalanda played a decisive role in shaping Asian philosophy and religion (especially Buddhism).
The remains of Nalanda are objective evidence of a great institution described in ancient Buddhist texts and travelogues (such as those of the Chinese travellers Xuanzang and Yijing).
This UNESCO recognition greatly helped in the preservation of Nalanda and in attracting tourists and researchers worldwide.
Accounts of Chinese Travellers: Xuanzang and Yijing
The Chinese travellers Xuanzang and Yijing both studied and resided at Nalanda University. Their travel accounts provide very detailed descriptions of Nalanda’s glory and operations. These descriptions were instrumental in helping archaeologists later discover the ruins of Nalanda.
1. Xuanzang (7th Century, c. 630-643 CE)
Xuanzang, known as the “Prince of Pilgrims,” is the most famous Chinese pilgrim to visit India. He stayed at Nalanda for many years and studied under the eminent scholar Shilabhadra.
Size of the University: He wrote in awe about Nalanda’s size and beauty, noting eight large courtyards, multi-storeyed buildings, about 72 lecture halls, ponds, and gardens.
Number of Scholars: He recorded that there were approximately 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers here.
Standard of Teaching: The standard of teaching was exceptionally high. He mentioned that his guru, Shilabhadra, was one of Nalanda’s principal acharyas and taught 64 subjects including logic, grammar, Vedanta, medicine, and astronomy.
Entrance Exam: Gaining admission to Nalanda was extremely difficult. The Dwarapalakas (gatekeepers) conducted a strict oral examination. Only one out of five who attempted this test would succeed in gaining entry.
Wealth and Support: Nalanda received great support from kings and the wealthy. He recorded that the revenue from over 100 villages was used for the university’s maintenance, and students and teachers received food, clothing, and lodging free of charge.
2. Yijing (7th Century, c. 671-695 CE)
Yijing arrived in India after Xuanzang, primarily to study Buddhist monastic laws (Vinaya rules) and the daily life of monks at Nalanda.
Disciplined Monastic Life: Yijing detailed the strictly observed Vinaya Rules (Monastic Rules) of the monks at Nalanda.
The Library’s Glory: He wrote about Nalanda’s famous library, ‘Dharmaganja’ (Repository of Knowledge). This library, which was divided into three sections (‘Ratnasagara’, ‘Ratnodadhi’, and ‘Ratnaranjaka’), housed millions of manuscripts.
Subjects Taught: He recorded that alongside Buddhist philosophies, subjects like Logic, Metaphysics, Medicine, and Grammar were taught here.
International Hub: Yijing testified that students from China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, and Indonesia studied together here.
In summary, the accounts of these Chinese travellers are the authoritative evidence that Nalanda stood as the greatest intellectual centre of the ancient world.
TIM
For more details: Navamalayalam.com
