Nalanda University was an acclaimed centre of learning during the Gupta dynasty by Narasimhagupta. This university attracted students from all over the world. Around two thousand scholars and ten thousand students stayed at the university for their further studies. This ancient university was in full flourish for 800 years during 427AD- 1197 AD. A huge gateway separated the university ground from the rest of the region. It was enclosed by high walls. There were thousands of books and scriptures in the university library. This library was in a 9-storey building.
There were hundred lecture halls where ten thousand students could study at the same time. They had a twelve-year curriculum. The schooling was free. Around hundred villages paid for the maintenance of the university. In the 7th century, the Chinese pilgrim Hsüan-tsang visited Nalanda and stayed there to learn philosophy. The Head of the University, Acharya Sheelabhadra’s deep knowledge had spread all over the world and it is said that this was what prompted Hsüan-tsang to study at Nalanda. Nagarjuna, the famous Buddhist scholar and Philosopher who was also a renowned Ayurvedic physician was a prominent Acharya at the Nalanda University. The university was destroyed 1000 years ago and the remains is spread over around 1,50,000 square metre of land, 15 km away from Rajgir in Bihar. If we go by what Hsüan-tsang has written about Nalanda, 90% of the university is yet to be excavated. The Bihar government has set up a university to re-establish a University like the renowned Nalanda University.
