Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurates New Campus Of Nalanda University, 9 Facts About This Historic Site

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new campus of Nalanda University in Rajgir, Bihar, on Wednesday. The campus is situated close to the ancient ruins of the historic university. Modi unveiled a plaque at the new site and planted a sapling during the inauguration. He also spent time observing the ancient ruins before the ceremony.

The inauguration ceremony saw attendance from notable figures, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and heads of missions from 17 countries.

The new campus, constructed at a cost of Rs 1,749 crore, features two academic blocks with 40 classrooms, accommodating around 1,900 students.

Additionally, it includes two auditoriums with 300-seat capacities each and a hostel for about 550 students. The campus also boasts an international centre, an amphitheatre for 2,000 people, a faculty club, and a sports complex.

The campus is designed to be a 'Net Zero' Green Campus, ensuring self-sustainability with solar plants, domestic and drinking water treatment facilities, a water recycling plant to reuse wastewater, 100 acres of water bodies, and numerous other eco-friendly amenities.

The vision for Nalanda University is a collaborative effort between India and the East Asia Summit (EAS) countries. The new campus symbolizes the revival of an ancient educational legacy, blending historical significance with modern sustainability.

Here are 9 Facts about the historic Nalanda University.

1. The archaeological site of Nalanda contains remnants of a prominent monastic and educational centre. The complex includes stupas, shrines, and viharas, which served both residential and educational purposes. The site also displays significant art created using stucco, stone, and metal.

2. The original Nalanda University was founded in the early 5th century CE by Kumaragupta I, a ruler of the Gupta Dynasty. The university received substantial support from successive Gupta rulers, who provided financial backing and patronage. This royal endorsement helped Nalanda flourish as a premier center of learning.

3. Nalanda housed one of the ancient world's largest and most significant libraries, known as Dharmaganja. The library consisted of three main buildings: Ratnasagara (Ocean of Jewels), Ratnadadhi (Sea of Jewels), and Ratnaranjaka (Delighter of Jewels). It contained hundreds of thousands of volumes, including texts on various subjects such as theology, philosophy, science, medicine, and literature. This place has attracted scholars worldwide and flourished for eight centuries.

4. Nalanda produced several prominent scholars who made significant contributions to various fields of knowledge. One of the most famous was Aryabhata, a renowned mathematician and astronomer. Another notable figure was Nagarjuna, a revered philosopher and founder of the Madhyamaka school of Mahayana Buddhism.

5. The decline of Nalanda began in the 12th century due to political instability and invasions. The final blow came in 1193 CE when the university was attacked and destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji, a Turkish military general. The invasion led to the burning of the vast library and the massacre of monks and scholars, marking the end of Nalanda's glorious era.

6. In the early 20th century, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) conducted extensive excavations at the Nalanda site. These excavations unearthed the remains of the ancient university, including stupas, monasteries, artifacts, and inscriptions. The findings provided valuable insights into the university's layout, structure, and daily life.

7. Efforts to revive Nalanda as a modern center of learning began in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. In 2010, the Indian government, along with support from several Asian countries, established Nalanda University in Rajgir, near the ancient site.

8. In 2016, the ruins of Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University) were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This recognition highlights the historical and cultural significance of Nalanda and its enduring legacy as a center of knowledge and learning.

9. The re-established university began operations in 2014 from a temporary location with 14 students, and the new campus's construction started in 2017.