In 2006 former President of India late APJ Abdul Kalam proposed the idea of revival of Nalanda University. Soon the University came into existence by the Nalanda University Act passed by Parliament of India. Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen was the first Chancellor of the University. Apart from the government of India, the University received grants / contributions from various countries like Singapore, Thailand, Australia etc. The new University is located in Rajgir at a distance of around 15 kms from the old one.

What about the old one? It was destroyed in 1193 CE by the invaders and today you can see the remains only. Its called Ruins of Nalanda University, currently well-maintained amidst a lot of open green spaces by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). It attracts a large number of visitors from all over the world and recently (2016) it has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Even after centuries of invasion and depletion of the structure, the ruins and the site still stand as a symbol of Indias glorious past. If you are inclined towards ancient Indian education and architecture, then a visit to the Ruins of Nalanda University must be on your travel list. The site would take around 2-3 hours to cover completely (although it depends on the person visiting, I have seen people who say that there is nothing to see in these ruins and can be wrapped up in 15 minutes). For me, it took around 2 hours. Just opposite to it you can see the Nalanda Archaeological Museum, which will take around 1 hour. Additionally, there are some other tourist spots (Black Buddha Temple is a must see) nearby and small refreshment stalls. So, while planning your trip, keep aside 4-5 hours for this place.

NALANDA A MONASTERY OR A UNIVERSITY

Situated in the Ancient State of Magadha (a part of modern-day Bihar State in India), Nalanda was a Mahavihara (i.e. Great Monastery) this term is used in almost all inscriptions on seals and copper-plate charters. Then why do we call it a University?

Well, the term university didnt exist that time. The term university derives from Europes oldest university Bologna, founded in 1088 CE and chartered in 1158 CE. Nalanda was at its last stage that time and completely destroyed in 1193 CE. Foreign students in Bologna, grouped by nationality, hired scholars to teach them. This created an association of students from diverse nationalities, thus creating a universitas, which is the origin of the word university. Nalanda also attracted monk-students from places outside India, such as Japan, Indonesia, Persia, Turkey, China, Korea, Tibet etc.

It was one of the greatest learning centres of that time and subjects taught included theology, grammar, logic, astronomy, metaphysics, medicine and philosophy (ASI)
Inside the Nalanda compound there were 11 monasteries, an expansive library spread between three towers and an astronomical centre
For residential monk-students and travellers/ visitors, there were around 300 rooms and 8 halls to host meetings and events
In its peak, it had more than 1,500 teachers and scholars. Number of students were 10,000+

Arent these enough to call Nalanda a university? Off course they are when you talk in the context of a time 1500 years back.

EXCAVATION WORK

In the 19th century, Dr. Francis Buchanon-Hamilton, a British officer, identified the site. Sir Alexander Cunningham, the founder of ASI, surveyed and provided a complete description of the site in 1860s. ASI began systematic excavation in 1915-16 that went for 20 years. The excavations have revealed evidence of construction on this site over different (at least three) periods.

Structures: Excavations exposed remains of 6 temples and 11 monasteries (brick structures) arranged systematically over an area of more than a sq.km. There is a 30m wide passage running north to south with temples on the west and monasteries on the east side arranged in series. There is a main temple (temple 3) at the south, which was constructed in 7 phases. It is surrounded by small stupas.
Sculptures: Excavations also found many sculptures of stone, bronze and stucco. Significant Buddhist sculptures are Buddha in different postures, Avalokiteswara, Manjushree, Prajnaparamita etc. Significant Hindu sculptures are Vishnu, Shiva-Parvati, Mahishasura-Mardini, Ganesha, Surya etc.
Excavations also included several murals, copper plates, inscriptions, seals, coins and potteries.

One should explore the Nalanda Archaeological Museum (maintained by ASI) just opposite to the heritage site to see a rich display of sculptures, coins, seals and inscriptions that were conserved from the ruins.

Left: Avalokiteswara (9-10th century CE)
Right: Nagaraja (7th century CE)
Basalt Stone sculptures obtained from the ruins of Nalanda University and preserved at Nalanda Museum

SHORT HISTORY- RISE & FALL OF NALANDA

The actual origin of Nalanda is however unknown, probably it started as a small monastery dating back to 6^th century BCE. It, however, rose to its statute in 5^th century, a millennium later. According to Xuan Zang (Hiuen Tsiang), one of the Buddhas two closest disciples Sariputra died at the town of Kalipinaka about 30 kms from Nalanda. He states that Mauryan Empire Ashoka (269-232 BCE) built a Stupa intended for Sariputras remains. The main Stupa (Stupa 3) is claimed as Sariputras Stupa.

Nalandas establishment is generally credited to the Gupta Period (240-550 CE) because of the archaeological evidences obtained from excavation like seals of the Gupta kings. As per ASI, the founder of the university is Shakraditya or Kumaragupta I (413-455 CE). Xuan Zang also credits Shakraditya for building a monastery at the place. However, seals found during excavation suggest earliest royal patronage for Nalanda during the last quarter of 5^th century, when Buddhagupta (476-495 CE) was the ruler.

Initial round of destructions: Some believe Mihiragula (or Mihirakula), most important ruler of Alchon Huns, who ruled between 502-530 CE attacked and partly destroyed Nalanda. It seems believable because Mihiragula was extremely cruel and ruined several Buddhist sites. Many believe that Nalanda was destroyed by Shashanka, the king of Gaud (part of Bengal) in early 7^th century.

After initial rounds of destruction, Nalanda was re-built by King Harshvardhan (606-647 CE). Seals of Harshvardhan have been discovered from the excavation, indicating his patronage for the monastery.

A vast majority of stone and bronze sculptures at Nalanda are from the Pala period (8^th-12^th century). The Pala dynasty rose to power in eastern India, ruling much of modern-day Bihar and Bengal, in the 8^th century. The Palas were Buddhist. Second Pala king Dharmapala (781-821 CE) and his successor Devapala (821-861 CE) are two important names in this context.

Final destruction and end of Nalanda: The decline of this great institution started in later Pala period but the final blow came in 1193 CE by the invasion of Bakhtiyar Khilji. Almost every historian attributes the end of Nalanda to Bakhtiyar Khilji, Afghan military commander of Qutb-ud-din Aibak. The report on this invasion comes from the Persian history Minhaj al-Sirajs Tabaqat-i-Nasiri. It reports that in 1193, Khilji organized an attack on the fortified city of Bihar and most of the inhabitants were killed. Within the fortress there were many books and upon enquiry Khilji learned that the whole of the fortress was a college. There is, however, some confusion on whether Khilji ransacked Nalanda or some other monastery in Bihar Sharif. Whatever the case may be, its almost certain that his military invasion destabilized the region that in turn made very difficult for monasteries to survive.

HOW TO REACH NALANDA

You have to reach Patna / Gaya / Bakhtiyarpur first.

The nearest Airport is Patna, which is the capital of Bihar State. You can reach Patna by train also. Alternatively, you can reach Gaya by train. Both these stations are very big, and all the major trains between Kolkata and New Delhi either go through Gaya or Patna. Gaya also has a very small Airport, but only a limited number of flights operate from there and its not recommended.

People may also think of going to Kolkata directly by flight. From Kolkata there are numerous overnight trains which would reach Gaya in the early morning (Some would prefer going to Bakhtiyarpur Station, but as per my opinion Gaya is preferable as its bigger and cabs availability are higher).

Once you reach Patna / Gaya / Bakhtiyarpur, you have to hire a cab.