Ancient Education Centres | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Taxila

• Taxila is a city located in the Rawalpindi district of Pakistan. 
• It was an ancient political, commercial, and cultural center. 
• Commercial Center: Taxila was situated at the junction of three major trade routes connecting West Asia, northern India, and Central Asia. This made it a hub for trade and artisanal production. 
• Center of Education: Taxila is home to the world’s first known university, Taxila University, which attracted students from around the world to study 64 different fields, including the Vedas, Philosophy, and Astronomy. Notable figures associated with Taxila University include Charaka, Chanakya, Jivaka, and Panini. Some people do not consider it a university because teachers did not have official memberships in particular colleges, and there were no purpose-built lecture halls or residential quarters like those found at Nalanda University. 
• Political Center: Taxila served as the capital of the Gandhara satrapy under the Achaemenian Empire. It was also a provincial capital under the Mauryan Empire, the capital of the Indo-Parthian Kingdom, and one of the capitals of the Kushan Empire. The city was visited by Chinese pilgrims Fa Hian in the 5th century and Hieun Tsang in the 7th century. 
• Over time, Taxila sank into insignificance and was eventually destroyed in the 5th century by the invading Hunas. 

Vallabhi

• Location: Ancient city in the Saurashtra peninsula, Gujarat. 
• Historical Significance: Capital of the Maitraka Dynasty from 480 to 775 CE. 
• Founder: Established by Senapati Bhatarka, the dynasty's founder. 
• Centre of Learning: Renowned for Buddhist monasteries and teaching secular subjects like politics, administration, and agriculture. 
• Notable Scholars: Gunamati and Sthiramati, famous Buddhist scholars, graduated from Valabhi. 
• Court Positions: Graduates from Valabhi often attained high positions in the King’s court. 
• Pilgrimage: Visited by Chinese pilgrims Xuanzang and Yijing in the 7th century. 
• Jaina Council: The second Jaina council under Devardhi was held in the 6th century CE, during which Jaina scriptures took their current form. 
• Religious Inscriptions: Inscriptions from Valhabi dedicated to Brahmans, Buddhists, and Jains have been found. 

Varanasi/ Banaras/ Kasi

Varanasi District, Uttar Pradesh:

• Historical Significance: Varanasi was the capital of Kashi Mahajanapada in the 6th Century BC.
• Center of Education: The city has been a center for the education of Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains, with teachings of the Vedas, Upanishads, and other texts in ashrams.
• Buddha's First Sermon: Nearby at Deer Park in Sarnath, Buddha delivered his first sermon.
• Chinese Pilgrim Hieun Tsang: This pilgrim visited Varanasi and confirmed it as a center of religious and artistic activity.
• Parshvanath Jain Temple:. significant Jain temple located in Varanasi.
• Bhakti Saints: In medieval times, Varanasi was associated with several Bhakti saints like Kabir, Ravidas, and Tulsidas.
• Kasi Vishwanath Temple: This temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga sites and is important for Hindu salvation.
• Banaras Gharana: The city is known for developing the Banaras Gharana of Hindustani Classical Music.

Nalanda

• Location and Establishment: Nalanda University is situated in Rajgir, Nalanda district, Bihar. It was established by Kumaragupta in the 5th century A.D.
• Historical Significance: According to Taranatha, a 17th-century Tibetan Lama, Emperor Ashoka built a great temple at Nalanda in the 3rd century BCE.
• Residential Quarters: Nalanda University was the world’s first university to provide residential quarters for both students and teachers.
• Flourishing Period: The university thrived during the Gupta, Harsha, and Pala periods.
• Founder:. seal identifies Sakraditya (Kumargupta of the 5th century) as the founder of Nalanda.
• Chinese Pilgrims: In the 7th century, Chinese pilgrims like Hieun Tsang and I-tsing studied at Nalanda to learn Buddhist practices. I-tsing noted that revenues from 200 villages were assigned for the maintenance of Nalanda, an increase from 100 villages during Hieun Tsang’s time.
• Library: Nalanda housed the largest library of the ancient world, known as Dharmaganja.
• Subjects Taught: The university taught a variety of subjects, including religious studies (mainly Mahayana Buddhism), grammar, logic, literature, astrology, astronomy, and medicine.
• International Students: Students from all over the world, particularly Southeast Asia, Persia, and Turkey, came to Nalanda to study Buddhism, philosophy, literature, and other subjects.
• Vajrayana Influence: During the Pala period, there was significant influence from Vajrayana Buddhism.
• Destruction: Nalanda University was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1200 CE.
• Reestablishment: The Government of India restarted Nalanda University in 2014.

Odantapuri

• Located in Nalanda district, Bihar (modern-day Bihar Sharif).
• A renowned Buddhist Mahavihara.
• Established by King Gopala of the Pala dynasty.
• Served as a model for Tibetan Buddhists.
• Tibetan records suggest that there were about 12,000 students at Odantapuri.
• The institution declined in the 11th century.
• Odantapuri was sacked around 1200, along with Nalanda, by Bakhtiyar Khalji.

Vikramashila

• Location: The ancient site is now known as Antichak village in the Bhagalpur district of Bihar.
• Founder: Established by King Dharmpal of the Pala dynasty.
• Buddhist University: At its peak, the university had around 100 teachers and 1,000 students. It was known for producing prominent scholars like Dipankara, who played a crucial role in spreading Buddhism in Tibet.
• Areas of Study: While the most important branch of learning was Buddhist Tantrism, other subjects such as theology, philosophy, grammar, metaphysics, and logic were also taught.
• Main Stupa: The main stupa at the site is a brick structure. There is also a rectangular building believed to have been used as a library.
• Antiquities: Various antiquities have been found at the site, including terracotta, metal, ivory, bone, and shell artifacts. Stone and bronze sculptures of Buddhist figures such as the Buddha, Bodhisattvas, Avalokiteshwara, Maitreya, and Manjusri have also been discovered.
• Destruction: The site was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji around 1193, along with other major centers of Buddhism in India.

Somapura University:

• Located in Naogaon District, Bangladesh, Somapura Mahavihara was a significant Buddhist learning center.
• It was also a place where Jainism and Sanatana Dharma were practiced.
• The Mahavihara was built by Pala king Dharmapala, as indicated by excavations at Paharpur and seals with inscriptions.
• The Paharpur pillar inscription references Pala kings and suggests the rise of Mahayana Buddhism, particularly the Vajrayana tradition, in Bengal from the 7th century onwards.
• Somapura Mahavihara is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• According to Tibetan sources, it was one of the five great Mahaviharas, along with Vikramashila, Nalanda, Odantapuri, and Jaggadala.
• The Nalanda Inscription of Vipula Shrimitra mentions that fire was the cause of the university's destruction in the 11th century.

Jagaddala

• It was founded by Pala king Ramapala in the late 11th or early 12th century.
• The monastery was known for its scholarly activities, including the translation of many texts into Tibetan.
• Buddhist teacher Sakya Sri Bhadra, seeking a place of learning after the destruction of Nalanda, Vikramsila, and Odantapuri by Muslim invaders, entered Jagaddala to continue his studies.
• He played a crucial role in the propagation of Tantric Buddhism in Tibet.
• However, in the early 13th century, Jagaddala itself was sacked by Muslim invaders, marking the end of its prominence.

Ujjain

• Ujjain is situated on the banks of the Kshipra river in Madhya Pradesh.
• In ancient India, Ujjain was a major center for learning in fields such as linguistics, astronomy, astrology, arithmetic, and classical arts.
• Emperor Samrat Ashoka completed a significant part of his education in Ujjain.
• Ujjain was also the birthplace of many important literary figures, including the renowned poet Kalidas.

Pushpagiri

• Flourished in Cuttack and Jajpur district, Odisha, specifically on the Langudi hills.
• Established in the ancient Kalinga Kingdom in the third century AD and thrived for 800 years.
• Major ancient centre of learning and a Buddhist seat of learning.
• Mentioned in the travelogues of the Chinese traveler Huien Tsang.

Excavation Findings:

• Stupas
• Buddhist rock-cut sculptures
• Pillars
• Brahmi inscription
• Terracotta seals
• Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW)

Nagarjunakonda

• Guntur District in Andhra Pradesh has a rich history dating back to the Neolithic and Megalithic periods.
• The region is known for its ancient culture, with evidence of early human settlements found in the form of post holes.

Vijaypuri: Capital of the Ikshvaku Kings:

• Guntur District was once known as Vijaypuri, the capital of the Ikshvaku kings.
• The Ikshvaku dynasty was a prominent ruling family in ancient India.

Buddhist Heritage:

• Guntur District is a significant site for Buddhism and Buddhist learning.
• It is named after Nagarjuna, a famous Buddhist philosopher known for his teachings and contributions to Buddhist thought.

Archaeological Findings:

• Important archaeological sites in the district include the Maha Stupa, Chaitya, and Vihara, which are all associated with Buddhist monastic life.
• These structures were used for religious purposes and served as places for Buddhist monks to live and practice their faith.

Inscriptions and Sponsorships:

• Inscriptions found in the area indicate that the construction of temples and monasteries was sponsored by both royal and non-royal individuals.
• Notably, one inscription mentions the sponsorship by a queen of the Ikshvaku dynasty.

Guilds of Merchants and Artisans:

• The district was inhabited by merchants and artisans who were organized into guilds.
• Guilds were groups of people engaged in the same trade or craft, working together for mutual benefit.

Kanchipuram

• Historical Significance: Kanchipuram was the capital of the early Chola and Pallava dynasties. It has been an ancient centre of learning for scholars in Tamil and Sanskrit, dating back to the Pallava period and even earlier during the Sangam age.
• Art and Architecture: The district is renowned for its rich heritage in art and architecture. Notable temples include the Kailasanathar Temple, built by Pallava King Rajasimha, and the Vaikuntha Perumal Temple.
• Religious Education: Kanchipuram was a centre for advanced education in Jainism and Buddhism, with educational institutions known as Ghatikas.
• Bhakti Movement: The district played a significant role in the religious and literary activities of the Vaishnavite and Shaivite Bhakti saints, including the Alvars and Nayanars.
• Handloom Industry: Kanchipuram is famous for its handwoven silk sarees, a testament to its thriving textile industry.