Nalanda University was first established during Gupta regime. It was a known _____ centre of learning.  

The correct answer is - Buddhist

Key Points

• Buddhist
  • Nalanda University was an ancient center of higher learning in India.
  • It was established during the Gupta dynasty in the 5th century CE.
  • The university was a renowned Buddhist educational institution.
  • It attracted scholars from various parts of the world, including China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Mongolia, Turkey, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia.
  • Renowned for its vast library, Nalanda offered education in various fields but was primarily known for its Buddhist teachings and philosophy.

Additional Information

• Gupta Dynasty
  • The Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire that existed approximately from 320 to 550 CE.
  • It is known as a period of significant achievements in arts, science, and political administration.
  • During this period, many renowned educational institutions like Nalanda University flourished.
• Structure and Curriculum
  • The curriculum at Nalanda included not only religious teachings but also a wide array of subjects such as logic, grammar, medicine, meta-physics, and arts.
  • The university had eight separate compounds, ten temples, meditation halls, classrooms, lakes, and parks.
• Decline and Rediscovery
  • Nalanda University declined in the 12th century due to the invasions and destruction by Bakhtiyar Khilji, a Turkish Muslim invader.
  • In the 19th century, the ruins of Nalanda were rediscovered and excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India.