History and Revival
Situated besides the Rajgir hills, the rejuvenated Nalanda University calls-out “Learning is being here.” The experience of being in this intellectual landscape is empowering with its seamless co-existence between nature and man, and between living and learning. The region vibrates with the positivity endowed by spiritual divines like Lord Buddha, Lord Mahavira who meditated in this region and with the scholarly traditions developed by great masters such as Nagarjuna, Aryabhatta, Dharmakirti who discoursed at the ancient Nalanda. Ancient Magadha was characterized by an intellectual ferment rarely known to humanity. The opportunity to comprehend multiple discourses and embrace knowledge in its entirety is what made Nalanda academics unique and attractive for all seekers.
The first residential university of the world founded at Nalanda by the magnanimity of Emperor Kumaragupta in 427CE and sustained by the conscientiousness of the learned monks and teachers, flourished for over 800 years till the end in 12th century CE. It is believed to possess 2,000 teachers and 10,000 students. Nalanda had attracted scholars to its campus from places as distant as China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, and South East Asia. Those scholars have left records about the ambience, architecture, and learning at Nalanda, as well as, about the profound knowledge of Nalanda teachers. The most detailed accounts have come from Chinese scholars and the best known of these is Xuan Zang, who carried back many hundred scriptures which were later translated into Chinese.
In March 2006, while addressing a joint session of Bihar State Legislative Assembly, the former President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam proposed the revival of the ancient Nalanda. Concurring ideas came simultaneously seeking the re-establishment of ancient Nalanda: from the Singapore government; the leaders of sixteen member states of the East Asia Summit (EAS) in January 2007 in the Philippines; and in the fourth EA Summit, in October 2009 in Thailand. The Parliament of India passed the Nalanda University Act, 2010 and in September 2014, the first batch of students were enrolled. The State Government of Bihar under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar was quick to allocate 455 acres of land for the University campus at a significant location. Thus, marked the establishment of Nalanda University and the infrastructural constructions were done in the new campus during 2017 to 2023. The celebrated architect Padam-Vibhushan [late] Ar. B.V. Doshi designed the eco-friendly architecture reflecting the Vaastu of the ancient Nalanda, while integrating all modern amenities that match world standards. It is a large carbon footprint-free Net-zero campus, sprawling over acres of greens and 100 acres of water-bodies, truly an abode for learning.
Nalanda is at once futuristic, for the ideals and standards of the ancient seat of learning have proven to be universal in their relevance as the feasible solutions to a shared and sustainable future for all, not just Asia. No wonder, the initiative for the revival of Nalanda University has been unanimously and enthusiastically welcomed the world over.
Objectives
The declared objectives of Nalanda University include improvement of educational system; research for greater interaction between Asian countries; bringing together future leaders of east Asia for regional peace; education, research and capacity building; training in various arts, crafts and skills. The focus of the academics is on ancient sciences, language, history, philosophy for improving the quality of life.
Vision
- Establishment of an international institution for pursuit of intellectual, philosophical, historical and spiritual studies and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto;
- The revival of the Nalanda university to improve regional understanding and the appreciation of one another’s heritage and history;
- To build a community of learning where students, scholars, researchers and academicians can work together symbolizing the spirituality that unites all mankind.
“This university can be a place for meeting of minds from the national and international arena to do research on unity of minds with focus on philosophy linking science, technologies, economy and spirituality with reference to ancient and modern thinking. The focus of this university can be the evolution of world, free from crime, terrorism and war. Above all this institute will engage in research in the role of human values and ethics for universal development and peace. This university should work for creation of enlightened citizens.”
President APJ Abdul Kalam, Address at the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Patna: 28.3.2006
Arvind Panagariya
Chancellor, Nalanda University
Message from the Chancellor
During the first millennium CE, India was not only the world’s richest economy, it was also a seat of learning like no other on the face of the earth. And at the head and summit of it all crowned the ancient Nalanda. It’s remains bear witness to its glorious past when for eight centuries, spanning from 5th to 12th CE, it attracted scholars and students from around the world. Those scholars and students took the wisdom acquired herein and spread it to different corners of the world. At its zenith, serving as a residential campus, the ancient Nalanda is said to have housed 2,000 teachers and 10,000 students.
Today, as India seeks to reclaim its past glory, Nalanda does too. It is with this ambition that the late President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam envisioned the current-day Nalanda University project in cooperation with member states of the East Asia Summit. The Government of India then gave that proposal the concrete shape through the Nalanda University Act, 2010.
Our ambition is bigger than just to revive and revitalize scholarship in the academic disciplines which thrived in the ancient Nalanda. It is also to promote education and research in modern day disciplines. It is in pursuit of this objective that in its early years the University has established the Schools of Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Religions; Historical Studies; Ecology and Environmental Studies; Languages and Literature; and Management Studies. These Schools offer Masters degrees in a number of areas. Diplomas and certificates programs in languages such as Pali, Sanskrit, Tibetan, English and Korean and in Yoga are also being offered.
The ancient Nalanda was not built in a day; neither will the current-day Nalanda University. But we have made an excellent beginning. In addition to the six schools and their 25 odd programs, the University now boasts of a superb eco-friendly campus filled with scenic beauty. In keeping with the spirit of ancient Nalanda, yet with a modern-day turn, the campus is among the first in the world to acquire the net-zero status. It includes a 6.5-megawatt Solar PV captive farm, 40 hectares water bodies, desiccant evaporative technology for heating-cooling of the buildings, decentralized waste treatment systems and a green infrastructure.
In the ultimate, a university is known by its faculty and students. As such, our goal in the years to come is to continue building a first-rate faculty, who are and will be known for their scholarship, and will also attract the first-rates students from around the world, especially the Nalanda partner countries. As Nalanda grows, it will also help turn Rajgir, its home, into the same vibrant city it once was.
A bright future awaits us all !
Professor Sachin Chaturvedi
Vice Chancellor
Message
With the inherent strength of our motto of “Ā no bhadrāḥ kratavo yantu viśvataḥ” (Let noble thoughts come to us from all directions), the Nalanda spirit has evolved as a vibrant expression of continued engagement with eternal values and ethos. It embodies a rich intellectual tradition with an open, inclusive, and globally oriented outlook. Given the context of Indian knowledge system, we must move forward with progress and environment together.
Over the years, Nalanda has built a distinct identity as a great centre of learning, with robust physical infrastructure and multiple avenues for intellectual pursuits guided by a distinguished faculty.
The recent visit of the Hon’ble Prime Minister to the Nalanda campus has further reemphasised its global significance and the vision for its future. He rightly reminded us that Nalanda is the heritage of many countries of the world and Asia is linked to it.
Through my experience in development economics, international cooperation, and policy innovation, I remain deeply committed to the transformative power of education. At Nalanda, we aim to turn knowledge into purpose and inquiry into impact.
It is truly an honour to serve here. I keenly look forward to working with all of you. I’m sure with our collective efforts we would be able to make Nalanda an important centre of global cause.