Nalanda University, located in present-day Bihar, India, was one of the greatest centers of learning in ancient India. It attracted students from across Asia, including China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, and Central Asia. But sadly, this world-famous university was destroyed by fire. Let’s explore the reasons, events, and secrets behind its destruction.
🔹 Introduction to Nalanda University
-
Established around the 5th century CE during the Gupta dynasty.
-
Functioned as a monastic university with over 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers.
-
Specialized in Buddhist studies, philosophy, mathematics, medicine, astronomy, and logic.
-
Had a vast library called Dharmaganja that was said to contain over nine million manuscripts.
🔹 The Burning of Nalanda University
🔹 Who Burnt Nalanda?
-
Nalanda was invaded and destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji, a Turkish Muslim general, in 1193 CE.
-
He led expeditions from Northern India into Bihar and Bengal during the late 12th century.
-
Khilji is said to have set fire to the university, destroying the library, classrooms, and dormitories.
🔹 How It Happened
-
Khilji’s army attacked Nalanda in 1193 CE.
-
Teachers and monks tried to protect students and manuscripts but were overpowered.
-
The library was burnt for months, and manuscripts were lost forever.
-
Many scholars and monks were killed or forced to flee.
Historian accounts describe that it took 3 months for the fire to burn the vast library completely, resulting in an irreplaceable loss of knowledge.
🔹 Why Was Nalanda Burnt?
1. Religious and Political Motives
-
Bakhtiyar Khilji was a Muslim general expanding his empire into Hindu-Buddhist territories.
-
Temples, monasteries, and universities were often targeted as symbols of resistance or wealth.
2. Destruction of Knowledge
-
Nalanda’s intellectual dominance and influence may have been seen as a threat to political control.
-
Burning the university was a way to break local cultural and religious institutions.
3. Looting and Wealth
-
Nalanda had rich endowments, gold, and precious manuscripts.
-
The attack also involved looting treasures and manuscripts, making it politically and economically motivated.
🔹 Aftermath of the Destruction
-
Loss of Knowledge
-
Many ancient manuscripts on medicine, mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy were destroyed.
-
The intellectual center of India shifted south and east, impacting the region’s educational prominence.
-
-
Decline of Buddhism in India
-
Nalanda’s destruction coincided with the decline of Buddhism in India.
-
Monks fled to Tibet, China, and Southeast Asia, spreading Buddhist teachings abroad.
-
-
Historical Legacy
-
Though destroyed, Nalanda remained a symbol of ancient Indian scholarship.
-
Modern Nalanda University was revived in 2010 as an international institution to honor its legacy.
-
🔹 Myths and Secrets
-
Some legends say hidden manuscripts were secretly taken to Tibet and China, preserving parts of Nalanda’s knowledge.
-
Others claim that the library contained knowledge of advanced medicine, surgery, and even mechanical devices that were lost forever.
-
Nalanda’s destruction is often seen as one of history’s greatest cultural losses, equivalent to the burning of the Library of Alexandria.
🎯 Conclusion
-
Nalanda University was burnt in 1193 CE by Bakhtiyar Khilji during his military expeditions.
-
The destruction was a combination of religious, political, and economic motives.
-
The burning caused an irreversible loss of knowledge and contributed to the decline of Buddhism in India.
-
Today, Nalanda is remembered as a symbol of ancient wisdom, inspiring modern educational institutions worldwide.
