Famous Universities of Ancient India

Famous Universities of Ancient India

Nalanda:

• The most renowned university of South Asia.
• It was in existence during Gupta period. It gained prominence under Harshavardhana’s reign and Pala kings.
• All three Buddhist doctrines were taught here, however, it was a major site for Mahayana Buddhist teachings.
• Subjects like Vedas, fine arts, grammar, philosophy, logic, medicine, etc. were also taught here.
• It had eight separate compounds and even had dormitories for students.
• It attracted scholars from Central Asia, South-East Asia and other parts of the world.
• The teachings in the university deeply influenced Tibetan Buddhism.
• Famous scholars of Nalanda are Nagarjuna (Madhyamika Shunyavad) and Aryabhatta the astronomer.
• Hsuan Tsang spent two years at the university. Another Chinese scholar I-Tsing, spent 10 years at Nalanda in late 7th century.

Odantapuri:

• It is located in Bihar and was made under the patronage of Pala Dynasty King Gopala I.
• It was a Buddhist mahavihara which was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji.

Vikramshila:

• It is located in present-day Bhagalpur district of Bihar.
• It was established by King Dharampala of Pala Dynasty, primarily as a Buddhist learning centre.
• The scholars were invited by kings outside India to spread Buddhist teachings.
• The Vajrayana sect of Buddhism flourished here and Tantric teachings were taught. Other subjects like logic, Vedas, astronomy, urban development, law, grammar, philosophy, etc. were also taught.

Jaggadala:

• A centre of learning for the Vajrayana sect of Buddhism, in Bengal. Many scholars took shelter here after Nalanda and Vikramshila declined.
• It was probably established by King Ramapala of Pala dynasty.

Valabhi:

• It is situated in Saurashtra, Gujarat.
• It was an important centre of learning for the Hinayana Buddhism.
• Various disciplines like administration and statecraft, laws, philosophy, etc. were taught here.
• It was visited by the Chinese scholar, Hseun Tsang.
• It was supported by the grants of rulers of Maitraka Dynasty of Gujarat.

Takshashila:

• It is located in modern-day Pakistan. It is estimated to exist around 5th century BC.
• It is believed that Chanakya composed the Arthashastra at this place.
• Both Buddhist and Hindu theologies were taught here. Subjects like political science, hunting, medicine, law, military tactics were taught here.
• Noted teachers and students from Takshashila include Chanakya, Charak, Panini, Jivaka, Prasenajit, etc.

Kancheepuram:

• It was a centre of learning for Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism from 1st century AD and achieved great name under the rule of Pallavas.

Manyakheta:

• Now called Malkhed (Karnataka), it rose to prominence under the Rashtrakuta rule.
• Scholars of Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism studied here.
• It has a ‘matha’ of Dvaita school of thought.

Pushpagiri Vihara and Lalitagiri (Odisha):

• It was established by Kalinga kings around 3rd century AD near the Udayagiri hills.
• It was mainly a Buddhist learning centre.

Sharada Peeth:

• It is located in present-day Pakistan-occupied- Kashmir.
• It was an important place for the Sanskrit scholars and many important texts were written here.
• It also has a Sharda Devi temple.

Nagarjunakonda:

• It is situated 160 km from Amaravathi in Andhra Pradesh and it was a major Buddhist centre with scholars from Sri Lanka, China, etc. coming for higher-education.
• It had many Viharas, Stupas, etc.
• It was named after Nagarjuna, a South Indian scholar of Mahayana Buddhism.

Also refer :

• Download the pdf of Important MCQs From the History Of Ancient India
• List Of Important Inscriptions In India
• बिहार आर्थिक सर्वेक्षण रिपोर्ट : 2020-21.