University Universitas Kyoto University
The World’s oldest and the first residential university of the world , established by the Great Indian Emperor Kumargupta in 427CE positioned in the kingdom of Magadha, now known as the state of Bihar. It was established to foster wisdom and inspire curious minds. A university encompassing the biggest archives in the world with around 9 million books and manuscripts . Nalanda University offered a diverse curriculum comprising grammar, logic, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy. The university was a prominent center for learning in ancient India. It’s unique academic environment attracted scholars from all around the world. Those scholars have left records about the ambience, architecture , and learning at Nalanda, as well as, about the profound knowledge of Nalanda teachers.
The university’s valuable assets and resources which made it popular as well as catch unwanted attention from invaders across the world . Numerous tried to attack several times primarily motivated by the desire to loot the university’s precious resources. The university flourished for 800 years producing great knowledge for the people before it was burned down severely by Bakhtiyar Khilji, a Turko-Afghan military general. Despite destruction, the university was restored by Harshavardhana, allowing Nalanda to continue its charge of global knowledge dissemination.
Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Nalanda, the modern revival of the university was introduced by Former President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in 2006 to bring back the the ancient knowledge and learning for which Nalanda was respected. The idea was supported by many East-Asian countries as a way to strengthen cultural ties and gain knowledge of the rich ancient history of the continent.
The Indian Parliament passed the Nalanda University Act in 2010, providing a legal framework for the new institution. The university re-established after being lost for six centuries .The new campus in Rajgir was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on June 19, 2024 in the presence of officials, ambassadors and dignitaries from all 10 ASEAN members.The University is affiliated with countries all across the Globe . The revival of unique programmes , International faculty and endless opportunities.
In my opinion, the revival of this university was genuinely important for a better understanding of our ancestors ,Culture, history, identity . Nalanda’s world class heritage of hundreds of years admired and praised by famous scholars worldwide who have long recognized its significance and relevance to the modern day world and also sparks curiosity to wonder the knowledge we currently have and challenge it and question ourselves : Have we really evolved ? How advanced was the technology back then without the chips and boards ? . It’s important for our future generations to learn values , history and where they come from . Its ongoing motive to promote peace , knowledge , sustainability and cultural studies is something to learn from in this extremely chaotic , hectic world where people are swamped by materialistic motives . I’d like to end with a quote from the great Sanskrit scholar ‘F.Max Muller stating : “HE WHO KNOWS LITTLE OF THOSE WHO PRECEDED IS VERY LIKELY NOT TO CARE FOR THOSE COMIMG AFTER”
By: Gauri Singh
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