Nalanda University Campus: Know History And Significance
By Anshika Verma25, Jun 2024 01:00 PMjagranjosh.com
Nalanda University
The new Nalanda University campus, spanning more than 450 acres in Rajgir, Bihar, was officially opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A 'Net Zero' Green Campus that prioritises environmental preservation makes it possible.
Its history
Nalanda University was founded in the 15th century CE and is located in what is now the modern-day state of Bihar, Magadha. It was close to Patliputra (modern-day Patna) and Rajagriha city (present-day Rajgir).
1st Residential university
Regarded as the world's first residential university, intellectuals from Korea, Japan, China, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Tibet, and Southeast Asia attended Nalanda University.
Pala dynasty's support
During the 8th and 9th century, the institution flourished and won praise from all around the world thanks to the Pala dynasty's support. Medicine, Ayurveda, Buddhism, mathematics, and Indian philosophy.
Astronomy and mathematician
The contributions it has made to astronomy and mathematics demonstrate the university's influence. Aryabhata, an Indian mathematician and the creator of zero, was a renowned professor.
Difficult procedure
Applicants had to go through difficult interviews, to take admissions. Buddhist teachers such as Dharmapala and Silabhadra guided scholars who supervised the students who were admitted.
Mountain of Truth
This institution was home to nine million handwritten palm-leaf manuscripts, and the richest reservoir of Buddhist knowledge was its library, called 'Dharma Gunj' or the 'Mountain of Truth'.
Ancient hub of learning
The new campus represents the symbolic rebirth of an ancient hub of learning and is significant due to its cutting edge infrastructure.