Ancient Nalanda University resumes after 800 year

Nalanda University was an ancient centre of learning in India. Established in the 5th century AD by Gupta Kings, Nalanda University was among the first great universities in recorded history, predating such institutions of higher learning like Al-Azhar in Egypt (10th century AD), the University of Bologna in Italy (11th century AD), and Oxford University in England (12th century AD). It was destroyed by the invading Turkish army of Bakhtiyar Khilji, a general of Qutbuddin Aibak. But now, for the first time in 800 years, the spirit of Nalanda University revives again as classes began from 1st Sep 2014 at its newly established campus in Rajgir, just 12 km away from the original site.

Nalanda was the first ever residential university in the world, holding capacity for thousands of students to stay on campus in dorms. During its heyday, Nalanda could boast of its capacity to accommodate 10,000 students and 2,000 professors. The university was considered an architectural masterpiece, and was marked by a lofty wall and one gate. Nalanda had eight separate compounds and ten temples, along with many other meditation halls and classrooms. On the grounds were lakes and parks. The library was located in a nine storied building where meticulous copies of texts were produced. The subjects taught at Nalanda University covered every field of learning, and it attracted pupils and scholars from Korea, Japan, China, Tibet, Indonesia, Persia and Turkey.

The 7th Century Chinese pilgrim, Xuanzang, visited Nalanda and wrote detailed accounts of what he saw, describing how towers, pavilions and temples appeared to"soar above the mists in the sky so that monks in their rooms might witness the birth of the winds and clouds"
 

Ruins of Ancient Nalanda university  - Image Source

Nalanda University was destroyed three times by invaders, but only rebuilt twice. The first destruction was by the Huns under Mihirakula during the reign of Skandagupta (455–467 AD). But Skanda's successors promptly undertook the restoration, improving it with even grander buildings.

The second destruction came with an assault by the Gaudas in the early 7th century. This time, the Bauddha king Harshavardhana (606–648 AD) restored the Buddhist university.

The real blow to Nalanda came with the arrival of Muslim invaders in 1197 led by Mohammad Bakhtiyar Khilji, who were intolerant of other religions and cultures. Much of the university was demolished and many of its scholars, including Buddhist monks, were burned alive. The great library of Nalanda was so vast that it is reported to have burned for three months after the invaders set fire to it and nearly 9 million manuscripts were wiped out.

While most of the ancient campus of Nalanda was left in ruins extending over an area of about 150,000 square metres, the spirit and values upon which it was created remained.

Ruins of Nalanda University  -Image Source

Now this renowned establishment is set to revive its lagacy. Nalanda University held its first session after almost 800 years, on Monday morning, 1st Sep 2014 in a bid to reclaim its erstwhile stature.

Over 1,000 students from 40 countries have sought admission in Nalanda University. But only 15 students have been selected, including one each from Japan and Bhutan and others from India.

The university’s chancellor, Amartya Sen, is confident that the new Nalanda University will be a success. Whilst the original Nalanda University took about 200 years to achieve prominence, Sen believes that the new university will be able to establish its place in the academic world in just a few decades.

Source: Times of India and Wikipedia