Nalanda- The Centre of Buddhist Learning

Nalanda was an ancient university in Bihar (427-1197 CE). It has been designated as the first residential international university of the world. According to historians, Nalanda flourished mainly on account of the patronage of Harshavardhana and Pala kings. When at its peak, a large number of students thronged here from all over the Buddhist world. The courses taught at the University included buddhist scriptures, vedas, logic, science, astronomy, medicine, foreign philosophy, etc.

In 1193, the Nalanda University was ransacked by a Turk invader called Khalji. This marked the decline of Buddhism in India. The Nalanda ruins extend over a large area. In 1951, a modern center for Buddhist studies was founded nearby by Bhikshu Jagdish Kashyap. The Nalanda Museum contains a number of manuscripts, and the items that have been excavated. There is a plan to revive it as Nalanda International University by a consortium comprising Singapore, China, India, Japan and other nations.