King Sasanka – Sri Lankan Writer & Retired Aviation Professional.

Discover the tragic story of Nalanda Mahavihara, the world’s first and largest international university. Located in ancient Magadha, this Buddhist center of learning housed 20,000 students and a legendary library known as the Dharma Gunj.  In 1193 CE, the university met a cataclysmic end when it was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji, burning centuries of human knowledge to ashes.  Explore the rise, the daily life of monks, and the devastating fall of Nalanda in this deep dive into India’s lost intellectual heritage.

For over seven centuries, nestled in the ancient kingdom of Magadha (modern-day Bihar, India), stood Nalanda Mahavihara – a sprawling monastic university that was the intellectual heart of the Buddhist world and a global center for learning. Far more than just a monastery, Nalanda was an unparalleled institution, attracting scholars and students from across Asia and beyond, making it the biggest and oldest known university of its time. The Rise of a Scholarly Metropolis Founded in the 5th century CE under the patronage of the Gupta emperors, Nalanda flourished under subsequent dynasties, including the Pala Empire. It wasn't merely a place for religious instruction; Nalanda was a vibrant hub where diverse subjects were meticulously studied and advanced. Its curriculum encompassed: Buddhist Philosophy and Theology: The core of its studies, exploring various schools of thought, logic, and epistemology. Medicine (Ayurveda): Advanced medical science, surgery, and p...