Vikramashila
Loading map…
Overview
Vikramashila in Bihar was a Buddhist monastery and university patronised by the Pala kings, who ruled from the tenth to twelfth centuries. With Nalanda, it drew students from across Asia.
It was founded by the Pala king Dharmapala in the late 8th or early 9th century near Bhagalpur.
It was known for tantric Buddhism, and the scholar Atisha Dipankara taught here before going to Tibet.
The monastery declined after attacks around 1200 CE; excavations revealed a large cruciform stupa at the centre.
Tibetan sources describe it as a large monastery with many teachers and resident monks.
It was a centre of Vajrayana Buddhism.
The site is in Bhagalpur district.
A central university is planned near the site.
Geography and key facts
- Bihar
- Pala patronage
- Buddhist centre of learning
- Founded by Dharmapala
- Atisha Dipankara
- Near Bhagalpur
Why it matters for UPSC
Asked with Nalanda on ancient universities.
Note for UPSC
Bihar; Pala-era university.
Expect questions linking sites with events in the Buddha's life and later Buddhist history.
Asked in PYQs
No question in our Prelims bank names Vikramashila yet.
Key facts
- Type
- Buddhist site
- State / UT
- Bihar
- Coordinates
- 25.324°N, 87.287°E
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.