Nalanda ancient seat of learning speech delivered by?
Answers
It is a historical fact that the
first university in the world
was established sometime in the 7th century B.C. at Taxila (then in India and now in Pakistan). The original name of the place was ‘Takshashila’ which means ‘carved stone’. Taxila is its corrupted version followed by the second university founded in Nalanda in India in the 5th century B.C.
However, when questioned ‘Which is the oldest University in the world’, most people turn towards Bologna initiated in 1088, to Paris founded in 1091, and name the other ancient citadels of learning as Oxford University founded in 1167 and Cambridge University in 1209. Where does Nalanda fit into this picture? “Nowhere” is the short answer if we are looking for an university in continuous existence.
Taxila’s glory ended with its total destruction by the Huns after functioning as a great educational centre for more than ten centuries. It taught some of the most illustrious students like Chanakya, well-known Sanskrit grammarian Panini and Patanjali, the great Yoga exponent.
Nalanda was violently destroyed in an Afghan attack in 1193, shortly after the beginning of the Oxford University and shortly before the initiation of the Cambridge University. Had Nalanda not been destroyed and had it managed to survive to our time, it would be, by a long margin, the oldest university in the world. Between Taxila and Nalanda, Nalanda which came into existence subsequently still possesses the hearts and minds of Indians whenever education is thought or discussed.