Question

Where we can find the remains of the ancient Nalanda University.
A. Patna
B. Jaipur
C. Pune
D. Delhi

Answer 1

Hint:
Nalanda University was one of the earliest and finest universities in India.
In ancient days, the kingdom of Magadha was the home of this monastic and scholastic institution.

Complete answer:
The archaeological remains of “Mahavihara” or Buddhist monastery can be seen in Nalanda near Patna. It was one of the earliest and finest universities in India. In ancient days, the kingdom of Magadha, now the modern state of Bihar was the home of this monastic and scholastic institution. The current location of Nalanda University Archaeological Complex is about 84 km away from Patna, the capital city of Bihar.
Nalanda Mahavihara: History

The origin of Nalanda institution dates back to the 5th century. For an uninterrupted duration of 800 years, it served as a highly recognized seat of learning. During the 5th and 6th centuries, the university flourished under the assistance of the rulers of the Gupta dynasty. In the 7th century as well, it continued to flourish under Emperor Harshavardhan of Kannauj. The development and the popularity of the university continued until the 9th century, after which its gradual decline started.

When the institution was at its peak, it attracted students and scholars from far off places like Korea, China, Tibet, and Central Asia as well. It was home to more than 2,000 teachers and 10,000 students. History has it that in the 5th and 6th centuries, Mahavira and Buddha visited Nalanda. In the 7th century, renowned Chinese scholar ‘Hsuan-Tsang’ also visited Nalanda to learn the Vedas, Buddhist theology, and metaphysics.

The major reason for this decline was the establishment of four other seats of Buddhist learning in the same region under the Pala Empire from the 9th century to the 12th century. Historians assume that in the 12th century, Bakhtiyar Khilji of the Delhi Sultanate ransacked and destroyed this great centre of learning, which led to the total decline and abandonment of the institution.

After its decline, Nalanda remained forgotten until the 19th century when the Archaeological Survey of India started conducting excavations on the site. But the excavated area comprises just a minor portion of the entire Nalanda institution.

Thus, the correct answer is option A

Note
In the year 2016, the ruins of Nalanda were declared as the UNESCO World Heritage Site in India.
Currently, the Archaeological Survey of India owns, maintains and protects the Nalanda University Archaeological Complex.