Did You Know Bihar Gave The World Its First Residential University? Know Its Ancient History

First Residential University In The World: When we think of higher education, we frequently imagine modern colleges with large campuses, libraries, and student residences. But did you know that the idea of a residential university—where students lived and studied together—was born in India, that too, thousands of years ago? It all started in Bihar, one of the oldest educational hubs in India. Nalanda University, the first residential university in history, was located in Bihar long before Oxford, Cambridge or Harvard.

Since its establishment in ancient times, Nalanda has drawn thousands of scholars and students from China, Japan, Korea, and Tibet, among other Asian countries. It served as a hub for international knowledge exchange in addition to being a place to study. Nalanda was the pinnacle of intellectual and cultural achievement in fields ranging from astronomy and mathematics to philosophy and medicine. The remains of this illustrious university remain today in Bihar, serving as a reminder of India's illustrious educational history and its global influence.

Nalanda: The World’s First Residential University

First residential university, Nalanda University (Image: Canva)

During the Gupta Empire in the fifth century CE, Nalanda University was founded in the Nalanda district of Bihar, close to Rajgir. Since both students and faculty reside on campus, it is regarded as the oldest residential university in the world. Approximately 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers were housed at Nalanda at its height.

ALSO READ: Which Is The Last Village Of India In The North? Know Interesting Details About This Place

Centres of Knowledge and Learning

Subjects taught at Nalanda included: Mathematics and Astronomy, Medicine and Logic, Philosophy and Grammar, Buddhist Studies and Scriptures

The university had an extensive Dharmaganja library containing 9 million books. Thousands of manuscripts were kept in here. Chinese academics like Xuanzang and Yijing came to study at Nalanda and then wrote about its genius, which helped to make it famous all over the world. 

Architecture and Lifestyle

Large red-brick structures, classrooms, meditation halls, gardens and student residences were all part of the Nalanda campus. The arrangement was so sophisticated that it served as an inspiration for the layout of many contemporary universities. Students adhered to rigorous rules and a daily schedule that included discussion, meditation, and study.

Destruction of Nalanda University and Revival

Nalanda University Destruction Story (Image: Canva)

Nalanda flourished for almost 700 years before being destroyed by the Turko-Afghan military general, Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji's army in the 12th century, with the intention of looting and destroying the wisdom the university was spreading. But in 2010, the modern Nalanda University was re-established close to the ancient site, carrying on its tradition of global education, reviving the dream of Nalanda. The books at the Nalanda University library are thought to have burned for about three months.

ALSO READ: Which Indian State Has The Lowest Population? Know Interesting Facts About This State

Quick Facts About Nalanda University 

Ancient Origins: Nalanda University is one of the oldest universities in the world and was founded during the Gupta Empire in the fifth century CE.

Global Attention: As testament to its global standing, the university attracted students from all over Asia, including China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia.

Residential University: More than 10,000 students and 2,000 faculty members were housed at Nalanda University, the first fully residential university in history.

Diverse Curriculum: The university was a centre for intellectual pursuits because it offered a broad range of subjects, such as Buddhist studies, philosophy, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, and literature.

Huge Library: With more than 9 million manuscripts, the library at Nalanda University, also called Dharma Gunj or the "Mountain of Truth," was among the biggest in antiquity.

Destruction and Revival: Bakhtiyar Khilji destroyed the university in the 12th century, but it was resurrected in 2010 when a new university with the same name was established.

Modern Campus: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Nalanda University campus in 2024. It is a "net-zero" green campus with cutting-edge facilities and an emphasis on environmental sustainability.