Nalanda University, often regarded as the world’s first residential university, was a beacon of knowledge, culture, and spirituality for nearly a millennium. Founded in the 5th century CE in Bihar, India, it attracted scholars and students from across Asia, including China, Korea, Tibet, and Central Asia.
However, despite its monumental contributions to education and culture, Nalanda University was destroyed around the 12th century CE. This tragic event marked the end of one of the greatest ancient learning centers and remains a subject of historical inquiry and debate.
In this article, we explore why Nalanda University was destroyed, examining the historical context, key figures involved, and the consequences of its fall.
The Glory of Nalanda University
Before understanding its destruction, it is essential to appreciate Nalanda’s significance:
- Established by the Gupta Empire, flourishing under Harsha and later dynasties.
- Functioned as a Buddhist monastic university with over 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers.
- Famous for multidisciplinary studies including philosophy, logic, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, and linguistics.
- Attracted famous scholars like Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) and Yijing, Chinese Buddhist monks who studied and wrote extensively about Nalanda.
Historical Background Leading to Destruction
Decline of Buddhism in India
By the 12th century, Buddhism in India was in decline due to multiple factors:
- Resurgence of Hinduism with growing support from royal patronage.
- Internal Buddhist sectarian divisions weakening unity.
- Loss of royal patronage that once sustained Nalanda.
This weakening of Buddhism indirectly affected Nalanda, reducing its political and social protection.
The Role of Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji
The main cause behind Nalanda’s destruction is often attributed to the Turkic Muslim invader Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji, a general of the Ghurid Empire.
The Invasion and Destruction
- Around 1193 CE, Bakhtiyar Khilji led a raid into Bihar, targeting Buddhist and Hindu centers.
- Nalanda, being a symbol of Buddhist learning and wealth, became a prime target.
- Historical chronicles by travelers like Taranatha and Persian sources describe the violent destruction of Nalanda’s libraries, temples, and monasteries.
- The library, said to contain hundreds of thousands of manuscripts, was reportedly burned for months.
Motivations Behind the Destruction
1. Religious Zeal and Intolerance
Bakhtiyar Khilji was a devout Muslim warrior. His destruction of Nalanda is often seen as part of a wider campaign against non-Islamic religious institutions, especially Buddhist monasteries and Hindu temples.
2. Political Conquest and Control
Destroying Nalanda was also a strategic move to dismantle centers of resistance and intellectual opposition. Nalanda was not just a university but a political symbol of the old Indian order.
3. Economic Gain
The wealth accumulated by Nalanda’s monastic community was immense. Looting and plundering the university served to finance Khilji’s military campaigns.
Accounts from Historical Sources
Xuanzang’s Earlier Descriptions
- Xuanzang, who visited in the 7th century, described Nalanda as a vast complex with numerous temples, classrooms, and a huge library.
- His writings highlight the intellectual vibrancy and spiritual importance of the university.
Taranatha’s Tibetan Chronicles
- Taranatha wrote that Bakhtiyar Khilji’s army destroyed over 10,000 monks and reduced the university to ashes.
- Described the brutal massacre and burning of manuscripts.
Persian and Arab Sources
- Persian historians document Khilji’s campaign as a military conquest with religious undertones.
- Chroniclers describe how libraries were set on fire and monuments razed.
Other Contributing Factors to Nalanda’s Decline
Natural Decay and Neglect
- Even before the invasion, Nalanda was reportedly in decline.
- Loss of royal support, especially after the fall of the Pala dynasty, led to neglect.
Socio-Political Changes
- The rise of Islamic Sultanates changed power dynamics.
- Buddhism’s influence waned, and Nalanda’s importance diminished.
Shift in Intellectual Centers
- Other universities like Vikramashila and Odantapuri also declined or were destroyed.
- New centers of learning emerged in Tibet and Southeast Asia.
Consequences of Nalanda’s Destruction
Loss of Knowledge
- The burning of manuscripts resulted in the irretrievable loss of ancient texts in medicine, mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy.
- Much of India’s ancient Buddhist scholarship was lost.
Decline of Buddhism in India
- Nalanda’s fall marked a significant blow to Indian Buddhism.
- Buddhism retreated to Tibet, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia.
Cultural and Educational Impact
- The destruction symbolized the end of an era of ancient Indian universities.
- The centralized system of education shifted to smaller monastic schools and later Islamic madrasas.
Attempts at Revival
In modern times, efforts have been made to revive Nalanda University:
- The Nalanda University Act of 2010 reestablished it as an international center of learning.
- Supported by India and several East Asian countries.
- Focuses on research in history, culture, and Asian studies.
Conclusion: The Tragic End of a Global Intellectual Hub
The destruction of Nalanda University was a complex event shaped by religious conflict, political ambition, and socio-cultural changes. While Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji’s invasion is seen as the immediate cause, the decline of Buddhism and shifts in Indian society also contributed to its fall.
Nalanda’s destruction reminds us of the fragility of knowledge and culture amid warfare and intolerance. Its legacy lives on as a symbol of India’s rich intellectual past and the enduring quest for knowledge.