Description

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Context

Indian government as well as Bihar administration are working to restore & modernize Vikramshila University highlighting its historical significance alongside Nalanda as an ancient educational hub.

Vikramshila University

Category	Details
Founded By	Dharmapala (Pala Dynasty)
Time Period	Late 8th century CE – early 13th century CE
Location	Antichak, Bhagalpur District, Bihar, India
Patron Dynasty	Pala Dynasty (8th – 12th Century CE)
Primary Focus	Tantrayana (Vajrayana) Buddhism, Buddhist Philosophy, Theology, Grammar, Logic, Metaphysics
Peak Period	9th – 12th Century CE (Considered most important Buddhist learning center along with Nalanda)
Subjects Taught	Buddhist Theology (Mahayana & Tantrayana) Buddhist Logic (Nyaya & Hetuvidya) Sanskrit Grammar Metaphysics Buddhist Scriptures & Commentaries
Comparison with Nalanda	Nalanda: Taught a variety of subjects, international scholars from China, Korea, etc. Vikramshila: Specialized in Tantrayana Buddhism & was main center for Vajrayana studies.
Key Features	Large cruciform stupa at center 208 monastic cells arranged in four quadrants Vast library with a cooling system Meditation halls & temples -International exchange of Buddhist scholars
Eminent Scholars	Atisa Dipankara Srijnana (980–1054 CE): Key figure in revival of Buddhism in Tibet Ratnakirti Jetari Jnanasrimitra
Influence on Tibet	Tibetan monks studied at Vikramshila Atisa Dipankara spread Buddhist teachings to Tibet, influencing Tibetan Buddhism
Decline Factors	Muslim invasions: Destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khalji in 1203 CE Decline of Buddhism in India Rise of Hinduism & regional conflicts
Destruction	1203 CE: Bakhtiyar Khalji invaded & burned university, destroyed manuscripts & killed scholars
Archaeological Discoveries	Excavations from 1960–69 (Patna University) ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) later took charge Discovered stupa, monastic cells, library ruins, artifacts
Preservation Efforts	ASI conserving ruins Museum with artifacts Site marked as protected heritage
Revival Efforts	2015: Indian Govt. sanctioned ₹500 crore for a new Vikramshila University 2024: Bihar Govt. identified 202.14 acres in Antichak for new university Construction of NH-80 to improve connectivity
Future Vision	Establishing Vikramshila as a Central University Academic research in Buddhist studies, archaeology & tantra Collaboration with Nalanda University
Tourism Potential	Developing Buddhist tourism circuit Promoting cultural heritage & Buddhist teachings worldwide

Ancient Indian Universities Destroyed by Invaders

University Name	Location (Modern State)	Founded By	Time Period	Subjects Taught	Invader Responsible for Destruction	Year of Destruction	Key Impact of Destruction
Nalanda University	Bihar	Gupta Dynasty (Kumaragupta I)	5th Century CE – 12th Century CE	Buddhist philosophy, Vedas, Grammar, Medicine, Astronomy, Mathematics	Bakhtiyar Khalji (Ghurid Dynasty)	1202-1203 CE	Decline of Buddhist scholarship; Burning of library, destruction of manuscripts
Vikramshila University	Bihar	Pala Dynasty (Dharmapala)	8th Century CE – 13th Century CE	Tantrayana (Vajrayana) Buddhism, Philosophy, Theology, Logic	Bakhtiyar Khalji (Ghurid Dynasty)	1203 CE	End of Vajrayana Buddhist studies in India
Takshashila University (Taxila)	Present-day Pakistan (Punjab)	Gandhara Kingdom	6th Century BCE – 5th Century CE	Vedas, Buddhist studies, Mathematics, Medicine, Astronomy, Economics, Politics, Philosophy	Hunas (White Huns, Mihirakula)	5th Century CE	Decline of early Buddhist education centers
Somapura Mahavihara	Bangladesh (Paharpur, Rajshahi)	Pala Dynasty (Dharmapala)	8th Century CE – 12th Century CE	Buddhist teachings, Hindu & Jain philosophy, Art, Tantra	Bakhtiyar Khalji	1203 CE	End of Mahayana Buddhism in Bengal
Odantapuri University	Bihar	Pala Dynasty (Gopala)	8th Century CE – 12th Century CE	Buddhist philosophy, Logic, Medicine, Grammar	Bakhtiyar Khalji	1193 CE	Massacre of monks, destruction of Buddhist knowledge
Jagaddala University	Bangladesh (Varendra)	Pala Dynasty (Ramapala)	11th Century CE – 12th Century CE	Vajrayana Buddhism, Tantra, Sanskrit literature	Bakhtiyar Khalji	1203 CE	End of Buddhist manuscript production in Bengal
Sharada Peeth	Jammu & Kashmir (Pakistan-Occupied)	Kashmiri Kings	3rd Century CE – 12th Century CE	Sanskrit, Hindu Philosophy, Astronomy, Mathematics	Mahmud of Ghazni & later Mongols	11th–13th Century CE	Decline of Kashmiri intellectual dominance
Valabhi University	Gujarat	Maitraka Dynasty	6th Century CE – 12th Century CE	Buddhism, Jainism, Vedas, Astronomy, Grammar	Arabs (Sindh invasion, Junaid ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Murri)	8th Century CE	Decline of Buddhist education in Western India

Bakhtiyar Khalji was responsible for destroying multiple Buddhist universities including Nalanda, Vikramshila & Odantapuri.

White Huns (Mihirakula) attacked Takshashila weakening early Buddhist learning centers.

Arab invasions (Sindh, 8th century CE) led to decline of Valabhi University an important Jain learning center.

Mahmud of Ghazni & Mongols attacked Sharada Peeth major Hindu & Sanskrit university.

These destructions contributed to decline of Buddhism in India & loss of centuries old Indian knowledge in various fields like astronomy, medicine & logic.

For more information, please refer to IAS GYAN

Sources:

INDIAN EXPRESS

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Despite their historical significance, ancient universities like Nalanda & Vikramshila were lost to time. In this context evaluate challenges & importance of reviving such heritage sites in modern India.