The document discusses four important centers of ancient education in India: 1. Nalanda University was a renowned Buddhist center of learning from the 5th to 12th century CE with entrance exams, renowned teachers and library. It declined after an invasion in 1193 CE. 2. Vikramashila University was also an important Buddhist center from 8th to 12th century CE that declined after the same 1193 CE invasion. 3. Taxila University was a famous center that attracted scholars from across India, especially in fields like medicine. 4. Kashi (Varanasi) was mentioned as an important center as early as the 6th century BCE and developed further as a center of philosophy after the epic period

1. SEMESTER - IV
AIHC & Arch-C-401: Ancient Indian Social Life and Institutions
Unit V : Education System
14. Important centers of education:
Nalanda, Vikramaśilā, Kashi & Taxila
Sachin Kr. Tiwary

3. Ancient Nalanda University

4. Nalanda
University
Period
Sources
Lit.- Exc.
Entrance
Exam
Students
Teachers
Subjects
Library
Class
Management
University
Maintenance
Decline
Ikhtiyār al-Dīn Muḥammad Bakhtiyār Khaljī
1193 CE

5. Ancient Vikramshila University

6. Vikramshila
University
Period
Sources
Lit.- Exc.
Entrance
Gate-6 &
Exam
Students
Teachers
Subjects
Library
University
Maintenance
Decline
Ikhtiyār al-Dīn Muḥammad Bakhtiyār Khaljī
1193 CE

7. Ancient Taxila University

8. Vikramshila
University
Period
Sources
Lit.- Exc.
Students
Teachers
Subjects
Library
University
Maintenance
Decline

9. Educational System of Kashi

10. • It is mentioned in Anguttar Nikaya in the list of Shodasa Mahajanpada. Varanasi was the capital of
Mahajanpada Kashi.
• Hiuen- Tsiang visited Varanasi in 635A.D. attested that the city was a centre of religious , literary
and artistic activities , and that it extended for about 5 kilometre (3.1 mi ) along the western bank
of the Ganga
• It seems that during vedic period Varanasi was not famous as a centre of learning.
• Varanasi and Mithila developed as important centres of learning and philosophy after Epic period.
• Ajatshatru was patron of learning and Literature. Taxila was the most famous seat of learning
which attracted scholars from almost all parts of India .
• Jatakas mention that because of cultural contact of Varanasi with Taxila students from far off
places came there for learning.
• Acoording to Maha –DhammPala Jataka Kumara Dhamma-Pala was sent to Taxila from kingdom of
kashi for learning.
• Kosiya and Tittiri Jataka state that famous acharyas of Benaras taught three Vedas and eighteen
Shilpas .
• According to Buddhist and Jaina literature during 6th century B.C. Benaras was probably the most
famous centre of Buddhist education in eastern India