Who Founded Nalanda University?
VerifiedAnswer: Kumara Gupta
Explanation:
Nalanda University was founded by Kumara Gupta I, also known as Kumaragupta I, who ruled the Gupta Empire from approximately 415 to 455 CE. This remarkable emperor belonged to the golden age of the Gupta dynasty and made significant contributions to education, arts, and culture during his reign.
Kumara Gupta established Nalanda in the ancient kingdom of Magadha, in present-day Bihar, India, around the 5th century CE. The university was built near the birthplace of Sariputta, one of Buddha's most important disciples, which made it a spiritually significant location for Buddhist learning. The name "Nalanda" itself comes from the Sanskrit words "Na" meaning "no" and "landa" meaning "stopping," suggesting a place of continuous learning and knowledge.
The founding of Nalanda University reflected Kumara Gupta's vision of creating a center of learning that would attract scholars from across the world. Under his patronage, the university grew to become one of the most prestigious educational institutions of ancient times. Students and teachers came from various countries including China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Mongolia, Turkey, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia to study and teach at this magnificent university.
Nalanda offered education in various subjects including Buddhism, Hindu philosophy, logic, grammar, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, and fine arts. The university had a massive library called Dharmaganja, which housed millions of manuscripts and texts. The institution could accommodate over 10,000 students and had more than 2,000 teachers at its peak.
The university continued to flourish for several centuries after Kumara Gupta's time, receiving support from subsequent rulers including Harsha and the Pala dynasty. Unfortunately, Nalanda was eventually destroyed in the 12th century by invaders, but its legacy as a center of learning continues to inspire educational institutions worldwide. Today, a new Nalanda University has been established near the ancient site to revive this tradition of excellence in education.
