ANCIENT SEATS OF LEARNING

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1. Nalanda University
427-1197 CE, Rajgir, near Nalanda, Bihar

The word Nalanda has originated from three Sanskrit words ‘Na’, ‘Alam’
and ‘Daa’ which means, "No Stopping of the Gift of Knowledge’ or ‘Nalam”
which means, ‘Giver of Knowledge’. Nalanda University had the biggest
residential campus and also housed the largest library called ‘Dharma Gunj’,
which means “Mountain of Truth’. Nalanda attracted more than 10,000
students and 2,000 erudite teachers. It was a unique symbol of Indian
Philosophy, Art, Civilization and a learning center of Mahayana teachings.

2. Takshashila University

600 BCE - 500 CE, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Takshashila University, also known as the City of Cut Stone’, was the
house’ of higher learning. The great Indian epic Mahabharata was
recited by Rishi Vaishampayana at Takshashila for the first time. It was a
centre of learning for Vedas, eighteen Sippas/ Arts, Technical Education and
had a tradition of public demonstration of skills by its scholars. The famous
treatise “Arthashastra” was compiled at Takshashila by Acharya Chanakya.
‘The renowned ancient physician Acharya Charaka also studied here.

3. Vikramashila University
th -12th Century CE, Bhagalpur, Bihar

Vikramashila was believed to be an associated institution of Nalanda, There
were 107 temples and six colleges in its precinct. The university was ancient
India's prime intellectual and learning center of Tantric Buddhism that
spread Indian culture in Tibet, Sri Lanka and Nepal. The fame of the
university scholars and the monastery spread beyond the Himalayas. It was
a centre of repute for Grammar, Logic, Metaphysics, Tantras, Tantric
teachings and ritualism.

4. Valabhi University

(6th-12th century CE, Vallabhipur, Bhavnagar, Gujarat

Valabhi University was an important center of learning that specialized in
Hinayana teachings. It attracted students from all over the country and
taught Sciences, Niti (Political Science and Statesmanship), Varta (Business
and Agriculture), Administration, Theology, Law, Economics, and
Accountancy. It was visited by Xuanzang and Yijing, the two Chinese
pilgrims. Yijing has described Valabhi, as a seat of learning at par with
Nalanda.

5. Somapura University
8th - 12th century CE, Paharpur, Naogaon, Bangladesh

Somapura University was a major center of learning for Buddha Dharma
(Buddhism), Jina Dharma (Jainism) and Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism). It
had one of the largest and best known Buddhist monasteries in India.
Epigraphic records testify that the cultural and religious life at this great
Vihara was closely linked with the history of contemporary Buddhist
centers of fame at Bodhgaya and Nalanda. It was one of the five great
mahaviharas, or monasteries, which were established in ancient Bengal
during the Pala period.

6. Jagaddala University
11th-12th century CE, Jagdal, Dhamoirhat, Bangladesh

Jagaddala Mahavihara was a Buddhist monastery founded towards the end of
the Pala dynasty which specialized in Vajrayana Buddhism. ‘The anthology
of Sanskrit verse, Subhasitaratnakosa was compiled by scholar Vidyakara at
Jagaddala. A large number of texts that appear in the Kanjur and Tengjur are
known to have been composed or copied at Jagaddala.

7. Odantapuri University

Sth-12ih Century CE , Bihar, Nalanda, Bihar

Odantapuri was ancient India’s greatest seat of Buddhist learning after
Nalanda. The university served as a model and inspiration for Tibetan
Buddhists and many distinguished Tibetan scholars who had studied here.
As per records, there were 12,000 students studying at Odantapuri. It was
during Pala dynasty, a thousand monks, belonging to both Hinayana and
Mahayana, lived at Odantapuri and sometimes even 12,000 of them gathered
here for a congregation.

8. Pushpagiri University

3rd -12th century CE, Langudi Hills, Jajpur, Odisha

Pushpagiri was ranked as one of the premier institute of higher learning in
ancient India. It is believed that Pushpagiri University was established by
Emperor Ashoka, The famous Chinese traveler Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang)
visited Pushpagiri in 639 CE. Pushpagiri flourished as a glorious seat of
popular Buddhism, ie. Hinayana as well as a Sarvadhaona Saroannvaya
Pectha. The University campus was spread across three adjoining hills -
Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri and Udayagiri.

9. Ratnagiri University
6th-12th Century CE, Langudi Hills, Jajpur District, Odisha

Ratnagiri University was an important center in the development of
Kalachakratantra.The largest concentration of Buddhist remains can be
found at Ratnagiri, also famously known as ‘The Hill of Jewels’, In the
beginning, it was an important seat of Mahayana form of Buddhism. During
the 8th-9th century CE, it gained fame for its Tantric Buddhism or
Vajrayana Art and Philosophy. Pag Sam Jon Zang, a Tibetan source,
indicates that the institution played a significant role in emergence of
Kalachakratantra during 10th century CE.

10. Sharada Peeth University

Gih-14th Century CE, Sharda Village, Neelum Valley, POK.

Sharada Peeth was a major centre of learning and is regarded as one of the
eighteen ‘Mahashakti Peethas’. It was the seat of highest learning in the
whole of Asia. Kashmir was sometimes referred to as Sharada Desh because
of the prominence of Sharada Peeth. It was at this place that Shankaracharya
received the right to Sarvanjnanapeetham or Sarvajna Peetha (Throne of
Wisdom). It was a famous centre of Hinduism and Buddhism where reputed
scholars congregated for teaching and learning.

11. Kanthalloor Shala

9th century CE, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Kanthalloor Shala was a model institution of learning also referred to as the
‘Nalanda of the South”. Kanthalloor was a residential Vedic school. The
subjects taught at the university included: Mantra, Yoga, Jyhotisa,
Rasabhandha, Rasayana (Chemistry), Chandas, Indrajala (Magic),
Dantakarma, Kayakarma, Lepy karma, Citra, Goldsmithery,
Visaharatantram, Paediatrics, and Dhanurveda. There was a separate section
for Fine arts in which painting, vocal music, instrumental music, dramatic
performance and dance were taught.

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Lalitgiri University
3rd-1 Ith Century CE, Langudi Hill, Jajpur, Odisha
Lalitgiri, also known as Naltigiri, together with Ratnagiri and Udayagiri
forms Puspagiri University which is best known for the sculptures of
ancient age - like significant stupas and monasteries (viharas). As a renowned
Buddhist pilgrimage, this ancient lush green village is visited by a large
number of Buddhists. The relic casket lying at the museum in Lalitgiri is
believed to contain the mortal remains of Bhagwana Gautama Buddha.

13. Udayagiri University

2nd-101h Century CE, Langudi Hills, Jajpur, Odisha

Udayagiri University was the prominent centre of Buddhist teachings
between the 7th and 12th century CE, It was the largest Buddhist seminary.
The ancient name of the monastery was Madhavapura Mahavihara. These
heritage sites are also known collectively as the ‘Diamond Triangle’ or the
‘Ratnagiri-Udayagiri-Lalitgiri’ complex.

14. Kanchi

2nd to 7th century CE, Tamil Nadu

Kanchipuram also known as Kachi or Kachipedu is derived from ‘Ka’ which
refers to the Hindu god Brahma and ‘Anchi which refers to the worship of
Lord Vishnu. It was traditionally a center of religious studies of Hinduism,
Jainism and Buddhism. Kanchipuram was instrumental in spreading
Theravada Buddhism to Myanmar and Thailand. The other prominent
subjects taught at the University were Engineering, Sculpture and
Architecture,

15. Gallery of Seats of Learning

ANCIENT INDIA

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