Buddhist site
Nalanda
Loading map…
Tap a feature for its note.
Overview
Nalanda in Bihar was an ancient monastic university, founded under the Gupta ruler Kumaragupta I (c. 415–455 CE). With Vikramashila it drew students from across Asia, at a time when Buddhist monasteries were major centres of learning under royal patronage.
Monasteries such as Nalanda were later destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khalji.
Geography and key facts
- Bihar
- Founded under Kumaragupta I (Gupta)
- With Vikramashila, drew students from across Asia
- Destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khalji
Why it matters for UPSC
Asked in a site–significance pairs question (1998).
Note for UPSC
Bihar; ancient university.
Expect questions linking sites with events in the Buddha's life and later Buddhist history.
Asked in PYQs
- UPSC Prelims 1998 · Q36Which of the following pairs are correctly matched? I. Lothal: Ancient dockyard II. Sarnath: First Sermon of Buddha III. Rajgir: Lion capital of Asoka IV. Nalanda: Great …
Questions from our Prelims bank whose text names Nalanda.
Key facts
- Type
- Buddhist site
- State / UT
- Bihar
- Coordinates
- 25.137°N, 85.444°E
- Asked in Prelims
- 1 question · 1998
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Vedic Age, Mahajanapadas, Buddhism and Jainism
- Mauryas, Post-Mauryan Kingdoms and the Guptas
- Buddhism: Life of the Buddha, Teachings, Councils and Spread
- The Gupta Age and Harsha: Polity, Society, Science and Culture
- Early Medieval North India: Tripartite Struggle, Rajputs and Feudalism
- Indian Painting: Murals, Miniatures and Folk Traditions