Ancient
History & Structure
The
University of Nalanda was founded in the 5th
century by the Gupta emperors. There were thousands
of students and teachers. The courses of study
included scriptures of Buddhism (both Mahayana
and Hinayana Schools), Vedas, Hetu Vidya (Logic),
Shabda Vidya (grammar), Chikitsa vidya (medicine)
etc. The university received royal patronage
of the great emperor Harshavardhana of Kannauj
and also pala kings.It was a great centre of
learning and students from foreign centre of
learning and students from foreign countries
were also attracted to this university. Hieun
Tsang received here the Indian name Mokshdeva.
Nalanda acquired a celebrity spread all over
the east as a centre of Buiddhist theology and
ecucational activities. Its importance as a
monastic university continued until the end
of the 12th century. The ruins extend over a
large area and represent only a part of the
extensive extablishment. Excavations have uncovered
nine levels of occupation.
The great stupa flanked by flights of steps
and terraces, votive stupas and beautiful sculpture
give the present day tourists a glimpse of the
past glory that once was Nalanda. Many of the
stupas were two or even three times built one
over the other on the same spot. In the course
of excavation it has been found that the very
small original structure was enlarged by later
temples built over and around the ruins of the
earlier ones. The main stupa is the result of
seven successive accumulations of the shrine-chamber
on the top, facing both, can be approached by
the staircase of the sixth period. It presumably
contained a colossal image of the Lord Buddha,
as the pedestal therein would indicate.
A row of monastery sites lies from south to
north. By and large all of them are of the same
pattern. But most important of them is site
no.1, entrance of which lies in the west wall
through a large portico of which the roof rested
on pillars. At a later period this portico was
converted into a porch with an ante-chamber
by the addition of two walls. Flanking this
door there existed stucco figures which having
been badly damaged by fire in ancient days fell
to pieces as soon as they were exposed. Effects
of this fire are still visible on the western
walls. The monastery consisted, as usual, of
a number of monk's cells with wide verandas
in front, originally set round an open quadrangular
court, but later separated from it by a high
wall. It was originally a building of two, or
probably more storeys, as is apparent from the
existence of stairs in the south-east corner.
In the courtyard there used to be Lord Buddha's
shrine and a well in each monastery.
Treasures
of Nalanda
The Nalanda University Archaeological Complex
The
total area of the excavation is about 14 hectares.
All the edifices are of red brick and the gardens
are beautiful. The buildings are divided by
a central walkway that goes south to north,
the monasteries or "Viharas" are east
of this central alley and the temples of "Chaiyas"
to the west. The Vihara-1 is perhaps the most
interesting with its cells on two floors built
around a central courtyard where steps lead
up to what must have been a dais for the professors
to address their students. A small chapel still
retains a half broken statue of the Lord Buddha.
The enormous pyramidal mass of the Temple No.3
is impressive and from its top commands a splendid
view of the entire area. It is surrounded by
smaller stupas, many of which are studded with
small and big statues of the Lord Buddha in
various poses or 'Mudras'.
The Nalanda Archaeological Museum
Opposite
the entrance to the ruins of the university
and houses, it has a small but beautiful collection
of Buddhist and Hindu bronzes and a number of
undamaged statues of the Lord Buddha that were
found in the area. Two enormous terracotta Jars
of the first century stand intact behind the
museum in a shaded enclosure. The collection
includes copper plates and stone inscriptions,
coins, pottery and samples of burnt rice (12th
century AD) found among the ruins here. Open
during 10.00 to 17.00 hours. Closed on Friday.
Nava Nalanda Mahavihara
Nava
Nalanda Mahavihara is devoted to study and research
in Pali Literature and Buddhism. This is a new
institute, where students from foreign countries
also study.
Hieun Tsang Memorial Hall
A
new construcion in memory of the great Chinese
traveller, Hieun Tsang.
