Long before the rise of modern universities in the West, Nalanda University in Bihar stood as a shining beacon of global education. Established in the 5th century CE, Nalanda functioned for an uninterrupted 700 years, making it the longest-functioning ancient university in the world.
Founded during the Gupta Empire under Kumaragupta I around 427 CE, Nalanda was not just a university—it was an international center of learning that drew students and scholars from China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. At its peak, it housed over 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers, offering courses in Buddhist philosophy, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, logic, and grammar.
The university’s vast library complex, known as Dharmaganja, was said to hold hundreds of thousands of manuscripts, many of which were destroyed when the university was set ablaze by invading forces led by Bakhtiyar Khilji in the 12th century.
Despite its tragic destruction in 1193 CE, Nalanda’s intellectual and spiritual legacy endures. Recognizing its historical importance, the Indian government revived the institution as Nalanda University in 2014, now functioning as an international center for inter-civilizational dialogue and research.
As the world continues to rediscover ancient knowledge systems, Nalanda stands tall — not just as an archaeological wonder, but as a proud testament to India’s academic and cultural heritage.
