Prime Minister Inaugurates New Campus of Nalanda University in Bihar

Context:

The Prime Minister of India inaugurated the new campus of Nalanda University in Rajgir, Bihar. Located near the ancient ruins of the historic Nalanda University, the new campus was established through the Nalanda University Act of 2010. This initiative followed a decision made at the 2nd East Asia Summit in the Philippines in 2007.

Relevance:

GS I: History

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Highlights of the PM’s Address at the New Nalanda University Inauguration
2. Features of the New Nalanda University Campus
3. The Ancient Nalanda Mahavihara
4. Revival of Nalanda University

Highlights of the PM’s Address at the New Nalanda University Inauguration:

Significance of Nalanda University:

• Nalanda University symbolizes that knowledge is indestructible.
• The university is set to become a new emblem of global unity and a key identity in India’s developmental journey.
• Its Renaissance will showcase India’s potential and position it as a global hub for education and knowledge.

Historical Context:

• History demonstrates that developed nations became economic and cultural leaders by prioritizing education.
• India, with its 23 IITs and 21 IIMs, has seen significant growth in higher education, establishing one university every week and an industrial training institute every 10 days over the past decade.
• Ongoing major reforms in the education sector are highlighted by the National Education Policy 2020.

Features of the New Nalanda University Campus:

Architectural Highlights:

• The campus, spread over 455 acres, merges modern and ancient architectural styles.
• The design focuses on eco-friendliness, aiming for a net-zero carbon footprint.

Academic Structure:

• The university operates six schools: Buddhist Studies, Historical Studies, Ecology, Sustainable Development, Languages, Literature, and International Relations.
• It also hosts four specialized centres: Bay of Bengal Studies, Indo-Persian Studies, Conflict Resolution, and a Common Archival Resource Center.

Program Offerings:

• Nalanda offers a diverse range of programs, including postgraduate and doctoral research courses, short-term certificate courses, and scholarships for international students.
• These programs emphasize the university’s commitment to global academic excellence and fostering international educational collaboration.

The Ancient Nalanda Mahavihara:

Historical Significance:

• Nalanda was a renowned Buddhist mahavihara (great monastery) in ancient and medieval Magadha (modern-day Bihar), near Rajagriha (now Rajgir), about 90 km southeast of Pataliputra (now Patna).
• Established by Kumargupta I, the ruler of the Gupta Empire (3rd to 6th century CE), it was one of the greatest learning centers of the ancient world.

Cultural and Academic Impact:

• Played a crucial role in the patronage of arts and academics during the 5th and 6th centuries CE, often termed as the “Golden Age of India.”
• Detailed accounts of ancient Nalanda are provided by 7th-century Chinese traveler Hsuan Tsang.

Post-Gupta Period:

• Thrived under the Pala Empire rulers but faced attacks and damage in the 1190s by Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji, a Turko-Afghan military general.

Rediscovery and Recognition:

• Rediscovered in 1812 by Scottish surveyor Francis Buchanan-Hamilton.
• Officially identified as the ancient university in 1861 by Sir Alexander Cunningham.
• Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site; revived by the Government of India through a law enacted in 2010.
• The contemporary Nalanda University in Rajgir is listed as an “Institute of National Importance” by the Indian Government.

Revival of Nalanda University:

Proposal and Endorsement:

• The idea to re-establish Nalanda University was proposed by former president Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam in 2006.
• Endorsed at the East Asia Summit in Mandaue, Philippines, in 2007 and reiterated in the 2009 East Asia Summit in Hua Hin, Thailand.

Legislative and Operational Milestones:

• The Nalanda University Bill was passed in the Indian Parliament in 2010, leading to its operational launch in 2014 from a temporary location near Rajgir.
• Former president Pranab Mukherjee laid the foundation stone for the permanent campus in Pilkhi village, Rajgir, in 2016.

Construction and International Support:

• Construction began in 2017, with the university becoming fully functional by 2022.
• The university has received support from 17 countries other than India, including Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, and South Korea.

-Source: Indian Express