Throughout history, the Indian subcontinent has been home to some of the world’s oldest and most prestigious centers of learning, many of which laid the foundational stones for various fields of knowledge and culture. Apart from Nalanda, the Indian subcontinent once housed several ancient universities that have now fallen into ruins, each contributing significantly to the realms of education, philosophy and science. These institutions, despite their decline due to invasions and political instability, these ancient centres of learning continue to influence modern scholarship and our understanding of early educational traditions. Here are five of them:
1. Takshashila: Takshashila, one of the world’s earliest universities, dates back to at least the 6th century BCE and was located in present-day Pakistan. It was a significant centre of learning, attracting students from across Asia. Founded by Kuru prince Duryodhana at the birthplace of his mother Gandhari, now in the Rawalpindi district, the university is referenced in ancient scriptures like the Mahabharata as ‘Gandhara.’
According to My India Glory, Takshashila offered courses in medicine, grammar, logic, philosophy and astronomy. Notable scholars who studied there include Sanskrit linguist Panini, physician Charaka, surgeon Jivaka Komarabhacca, philosopher Chanakya, author Vishnu Sharma, and Maurya emperor Chandragupta. According to Vedveer Arya’s The Chronology of Ancient India – Victim of Concoctions and Distortions, the Maurya dynasty flourished in the 16th century BCE, placing Chanakya and Chandragupta Maurya around 3,600 years ago, confirming Takshashila’s antiquity of over 3600 years.
2.Vikramshila University: Vikramshila University, located 50 km east of Bhagalpur in Bihar, was established by Pala king Dharampala in the late 7th century CE, emphasizing the Pala rulers’ commitment to education. It attracted students from across India and abroad, with over 100 teachers instructing more than 1,000 students. The university complex included several temples, managed by around 108 scholars and six Acharyas, with the Kulpati or Mahasthavir as the highest authority. The campus featured six colleges connected by gates, with a central building called Vigyan Bhawan.
My India Glory said that subjects offered included Logic, Philosophy, Vyakaran, Tantra Shastra and Karamkanda with Tantra Shastra later becoming particularly prominent. Notable alumni include Ati?a Dipankara, a founder of the Sharma traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. In 1203 CE, Vikramshila University was destroyed by Bhaktiyar Khilji, who also razed Nalanda University, killing its monks and students.
3. Mithila University: Mithila University, also known as Maithili University, was an ancient centre of learning in present-day Bihar, India, renowned for its contributions to Sanskrit literature, arts, and sciences. It played a key role in spreading knowledge across the Indian subcontinent, focusing on languages, literature, philosophy and sciences. Historically significant as the kingdom of King Janaka, it hosted religious conferences attended by sages and scholars. Notable figures include poet Vidyapati and mathematician Ganesha Upadhyaya, who founded the Navya-Nyaya school of logic. The university was also known for its rigorous Salaka-pariksha exams. Despite decline due to invasions, its legacy continues to influence the region’s cultural and educational heritage.
4. Vallabhi University: Vallabhi University is located in present-day Gujarat, India, was one of the foremost centres of learning in ancient India, established in the 5th century CE and thriving until the 12th century CE. It was renowned for its studies in Buddhist philosophy, logic, mathematics, medicine, and arts, with a particular emphasis on Mahayana Buddhism. The university attracted numerous scholars, including notable figures like Buddhaghosa, who made significant contributions to Buddhist literature and teachings. Vallabhi was not only a hub for academic and religious education but also a vibrant centre for cultural activities and monastic life, hosting important religious conferences and discussions. Despite its decline due to invasions, particularly by Mahmud of Ghazni in the 12th century, Vallabhi University’s legacy continues to highlight the rich educational and cultural heritage of ancient India, significantly influencing the spread and development of Buddhist thought and other intellectual traditions.
5. Jagaddala University: Jagaddala University, established in the 8th century CE during the Pala dynasty in present-day Bangladesh, was a prominent centre of learning. Located near the village of Jagaddal in Bengal, it was renowned for its studies in Buddhist philosophy, scriptures, and diverse fields like mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and logic. The university attracted scholars from across India and Southeast Asia, fostering a vibrant intellectual community. Its architecture featured a large monastic complex with lecture halls, meditation rooms, and monk residences, reflecting the era’s advanced construction and artistry.
Jagaddala played a crucial role in spreading Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism, with notable scholars such as Dharmapala making significant contributions to Buddhist literature and philosophy. The university’s decline began in the 12th century due to invasions and political instability. Today, the ruins of Jagaddala are an archaeological site of great importance, preserving the rich educational and cultural heritage of ancient Bengal. Its legacy continues to inspire studies in ancient Indian education and Buddhist thought.
Link to article –
5 ancient Indian universities that shaped global knowledge like Nalanda
