Who Destroyed Nalanda University?
Nalanda University was destroyed several times. According to the historian, there are a total of three attacks that happened in Nalanda. But in the 12th century, around 1193 CE, Nalanda University was sacked and destroyed by an army of the Central Asian Turic ruler Bakhtiyar Khilji.
All Three Attacks on Nalanda University
All three attacks on Nalanda are shown below with details of causes and effects
1. Destruction by Hunas:
The first attack took place between 455 AD to 470 AD when Samudragupta was the emperor of the Gupta Empire. This attack was done by the Hunas- a central Asian tribal group. They used to enter India through the Khyber Pass of the Himalayas. At that time, there were not any specific reasons for their invasion and attack except to loot expensive products.
There were some economical sources present in the university for its maintenance purposes. Hunas looted all of them and left. As the destruction was not very severe, Skanda Gupta, emperor of the Gupta Empire, re-established it and made some improvements. At that time the famous library of Nalanda was established.
2. Destruction by Goudas Rajvansh:
The second attack in Nalanda happened during the early 7th century. This attack was done by the emperor of Bengal, Goudas Rajvansh. The main reason behind this attack was the political imbalance. At that time, the emperor of Kannuj, Harshavardhana was ruling. Many historians said that there was a conflict between Harshavardhana & Goudas Rajvansh. To take revenge, Goudas Rajvansh attacked Nalanda University. However, the destruction was not fatal enough. Harshavardhana re-established the university and again Nalanda started sharing knowledge throughout the world.
3. Destruction by Bakhtiyar Khilji:
In 1193 AD Bakhtiyar Khilji, a general of Qutubuddin Aibak attacked Nalanda university. This attack was very fatal but there was not any political desire behind this invasion. The attack was so fatal that after this invasion nobody could build the Nalanda university again.
History of Nalanda University with Interesting Facts
Nalanda University was one of the world’s first educational institutions. It was established in Rajagriha (now Rajgir) in Bihar in the 5th century BC by Kumararagupta of the Gupta Dynasty. It flourished under the Gupta king- Kumaragupta, Harsha- the emperor of Kannauj, and later under the Pala empire. Nalanda was not only a residential university but also a Buddhist monastery. The details of the university can be found in the writings of the famous Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang. According to him, there were 10,000 monks and 2000 teachers at Nalanda at that time. The famous mathematician and astronomer Aryabhata was the head of this university. Some prominent students were Harshavardhana, Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, etc. Nalanda has 800 years of tradition as a university.
Table of Content
- Who Destroyed Nalanda University?
- Reason for Invasion by Bakhtiyar Khilji on Nalanda
- History of Nalanda University
- Structure of Nalanda University
- Questions And Answers on Nalanda University