Nalanda, Vikramshila Universities

Founded in the 5th century CE during the reign of Kumaragupta I (Gupta dynasty)

• Located at Nalanda near modern-day Rajgir, Bihar
• Regarded as the world’s first residential university
• Hosted over 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers
• Subjects taught: Vedas, Logic, Medicine, Buddhist Philosophy, Grammar
• Eminent scholars: Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang), Dharmapala, Nagarjuna

📝 PYQ (BPSC): Nalanda University was founded by which Gupta ruler? → Kumaragupta I

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🔥 Decline of Nalanda

• Destroyed in 1193 CE by Bakhtiyar Khilji, a Turkish general
• Its massive library, Dharma Gunj, reportedly burned for several months

📝 PYQ (BPSC): Who destroyed Nalanda University? → Bakhtiyar Khilji

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🏛️ Vikramshila University

• Founded in the 8th century CE by Dharampala, ruler of the Pala dynasty
• Located at Antichak in Bhagalpur district, Bihar
• Second only to Nalanda in fame and size
• Specialized in Tantric Buddhism
• Famous scholars: Atisha Dipankara, who later spread Buddhism to Tibet

📝 PYQ (DPSC): Who founded Vikramshila University? → Dharampala

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🧠 Academic Significance

• Both institutions attracted students from China, Tibet, Sri Lanka, Korea, and Southeast Asia
• Helped Bihar become the global centre of Buddhist learning and scholarship
• Libraries, debates, and international exchanges flourished

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🏫 Modern Revival: Nalanda University

• Re-established in 2010 through a multilateral initiative
• Supported by countries like Japan, Singapore, China, etc.
• Campus located in Rajgir (Nalanda district)
• Designed by architect B.V. Doshi

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📌 Quick Revision Points

• Nalanda: Gupta era, first residential university, Xuanzang visited
• Vikramshila: Pala era, Bhagalpur, Tantric Buddhism
• Nalanda destroyed in 1193 CE by Bakhtiyar Khilji
• Modern Nalanda revived in 2010 as an international university

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📚 Sources Used

• NCERT Class 6–12 – History
• Lucent GK – Ancient History
• Drishti Bihar Special Book
• Ghatna Chakra PYQ Digest
• EduTeria BPSC GS Compilations