TAG: GS 2: ART AND CULTURE
THE CONTEXT: The campus of Nalanda University was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister recently.
EXPLANATION:
Nalanda University:
- The new campus of Nalanda University is situated in Rajgir, Bihar, approximately 100 km from Patna and 12 km from the ancient ruins of the original Nalanda monastery.
- The ancient Nalanda, renowned as one of the greatest centers of learning in antiquity, adds significant historical and cultural value to the new university.
- The concept of reviving Nalanda University was first proposed by then-President APJ Abdul Kalam in 2006.
- He envisioned a Bodhgaya Nalanda Indo-Asian Institute of Learning to recapture the ancient university’s glory.
- The proposal was endorsed at the East Asia Summit in 2007 in Mandaue, Philippines, and reiterated in 2009 at the East Asia Summit in Hua Hin, Thailand.
International Collaboration
- Seventeen countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Mauritius, Myanmar, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam, have contributed to the establishment of Nalanda University.
- Ambassadors from these nations attended the inauguration ceremony, underscoring the international significance of the project.
Legislative and Architectural Development
- In 2007, the Bihar Assembly passed the University of Nalanda Bill, facilitating the creation of an international university near the ancient site in Rajgir.
- This was followed by the Nalanda University Bill in 2010, which deemed the university as an institution of national importance and laid down its governance structure.
- The masterplan for the campus, designed by renowned architect B V Doshi’s Vastu Shilpa Consultants, was selected in an international competition in 2013.
Academic Journey and Expansion
- Nalanda University admitted its first batch of 15 students in 2014 to the School of Historical Studies and the School of Ecology and Environmental Studies.
- Initially, classes were held in the Rajgir Convention Centre, and Hotel Tathagat served as the temporary hostel.
- The faculty started with six teachers.
- Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen, associated with the project since 2007, became the first Chancellor, while then-President Pranab Mukherjee was the first Visitor.
- Since its inception, the university has established four additional schools:
- The School of Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Religion
- The School of Languages and Literature
- The School of Management Studies
- The School of International Relations and Peace Studies
- Nalanda University currently offers two-year Master’s courses, PhD programs, and various diploma and certificate courses.
Campus Development and Facilities
- By 2022, 90% of the campus construction was completed.
- At that time, the university housed 800 students, including 150 international students from 31 countries.
- The campus, spread across 455 acres, can accommodate up to 7,500 students and teachers at full capacity.
- The built area constitutes only 8% of the total campus area, with the design attempting to replicate the architectural and geographical ambiance of the ancient Nalanda University.
- The administrative block features exposed brick architecture and an elevated staircase, reminiscent of the ancient ruins.
- The campus blends modern and traditional elements, incorporating natural light, smart classrooms with electronic podiums, and air conditioning complemented by natural cooling methods like hollow walls.
Sustainability and Green Initiatives
- The campus includes over 100 acres of water bodies, known as Kamal Sagar ponds, and another 100 acres of greenery.
- It features a drinking water treatment plant, a water recycling plant, a yoga center, a state-of-the-art auditorium, a library, an archival center, and a fully equipped sports complex.
- Notably, no cars are allowed inside the campus, emphasizing its commitment to sustainability.
Historical Context and Scholarly Perspectives
- The chronicles of the 7th-century Chinese traveler Hsuan Tsang provide detailed descriptions of ancient Nalanda, estimating a population of 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers at the monastery.
- However, these figures have been disputed by scholars based on archaeological evidence.
- Despite this, Nalanda was a prominent center of learning, teaching various disciplines beyond Buddhist studies, including the Vedas, Hindu philosophy, logic, grammar, and medicine.
- Historian A L Basham noted that students from different faiths were admitted after passing a rigorous oral examination, reflecting the university’s inclusive and comprehensive educational approach.