Nalanda is known as the ancient seat of learning. Around 2,000 Teachers and 10,000 Students from all over the Buddhist world lived and studied at Nalanda, the first Residential International University of the World. The university was considered an architectural masterpiece, and was marked by a lofty wall and one gate. Nalanda had eight separate compounds and ten temples, along with many other meditation halls and classrooms. On the grounds were lakes and parks.
This place saw the rise and fall of many empires and emperors who contributed in the development of Nalanda University. The famous Chinese traveler and scholar, Hieun Tsang also stayed here and has given a detailed description of the situations prevailing at that time.
In 1193, the Nalanda University was sacked by Muslim armies under Bakhtiyar Khilji. |
