PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Nalanda University's new campus, here’s more about the ancient place

The new campus of Nalanda University has been inaugurated by Prime Minster Narendra Modi at Rajgir, Bihar on June 19th. But do you know when was it first formed? Let us delve into the details.

When was Nalanda first formed?

Nalanda was founded by Kumaragupta I in the 5th century CE during the Gupta dynasty. It became one of the first residential universities in the world, with thousands of students and teachers.

Nalanda attracted scholars from around the world, including China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Mongolia, Turkey, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. The university offered studies in various fields such as theology, grammar, logic, astronomy, metaphysics, medicine, and philosophy. The Chinese scholar Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) visited Nalanda in the 7th century and left detailed accounts of the rigorous academic environment and the curriculum followed.

What caused the destruction of Nalanda?

Nalanda’s decline began in the 12th century due to a series of invasions by Turkish Muslim armies. The final blow came from the army of Bakhtiyar Khilji around 1193 CE, which led to the destruction of the university’s structures.

The site of Nalanda was rediscovered in the 19th century by the British archaeologist Alexander Cunningham. In 2010, efforts to revive Nalanda University began, leading to the establishment of a modern Nalanda University near the ancient site, which opened its doors to students in 2014.

How to travel to Nalanda?

The nearest airport to Nalanda is the Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport in Patna, approximately 90 kilometers away. The nearest railway station to Nalanda is the Nalanda Railway Station, but it has limited connectivity. A better option is to take a train to Patna Junction or Bakhtiyarpur Junction, both of which have good connectivity to major cities in India.

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