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− | Most Indians today are well aware of the two famous ancient | + | {{ToBeEdited}} |
− | universities of India which also are one of the oldest universities in | + | |
− | the world – Takshashila University (Taxila) and Nalanda. But are these | + | It is unfortunate that a civilization that was the Vishwaguru of the world, a knowledge repository for the world. Most people today are well aware of the two famous ancient universities of India which also are one of the oldest universities in the world – Takshashila University (Taxila) and Nalanda. But are these |
| the only knowledge centers that existed in ancient India? Education has | | the only knowledge centers that existed in ancient India? Education has |
− | always been given great prominence in Indian society since the times of | + | always been given great prominence in Bharat's society since the times of |
| the vedic civilization, with gurukul and ashrams being the centers of | | the vedic civilization, with gurukul and ashrams being the centers of |
| learning. And with evolving times, a large number of centers of learning | | learning. And with evolving times, a large number of centers of learning |
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| asian countries including China, Singapore and Japan have come forward | | asian countries including China, Singapore and Japan have come forward |
| to fund the construction of this revived Nalanda University. | | to fund the construction of this revived Nalanda University. |
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− | Ruins of Nalanda University
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| | | |
| == Vikramashila University == | | == Vikramashila University == |
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| founder of the Sharma traditions of Tibetan Buddhism who also revived | | founder of the Sharma traditions of Tibetan Buddhism who also revived |
| the Buddhism in Tibet. | | the Buddhism in Tibet. |
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| |
− | Ruins of Vikramashila University
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| | | |
| == Valabhi University == | | == Valabhi University == |
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| terracotta on its outer walls depicting the influence of these three | | terracotta on its outer walls depicting the influence of these three |
| traditions. | | traditions. |
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− | Ruins of Somapura University
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| | | |
| == Other Ancient Universities == | | == Other Ancient Universities == |
| The above mentioned list is not a complete list of | | The above mentioned list is not a complete list of |
− | ancient Indian universities either. Dharmapala of Pala dynasty alone is | + | ancient Bharat's universities either. Dharmapala of Pala dynasty alone is |
| said to have established 50 mega learning centers across his kingdom, | | said to have established 50 mega learning centers across his kingdom, |
| and they have been as huge and as popular as the ones mentioned above. | | and they have been as huge and as popular as the ones mentioned above. |
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| Nepal and Thailand. | | Nepal and Thailand. |
| | | |
− | == Destruction of Ancient Indian Universities == | + | == Destruction of Ancient Bharat's Universities == |
| As you can see, many of the universities mentioned above came to an | | As you can see, many of the universities mentioned above came to an |
| end around 12th century. The universities like Nalanda, Vikramashila etc | | end around 12th century. The universities like Nalanda, Vikramashila etc |
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| soldiers of Khilji’s army and it is said that it was so vast that the | | soldiers of Khilji’s army and it is said that it was so vast that the |
| manuscripts kept burning for three months. In-numerous number of ancient | | manuscripts kept burning for three months. In-numerous number of ancient |
− | Indian manuscripts carefully preserved for thousands of years were
| + | Bharat's manuscripts carefully preserved for thousands of years were |
| destroyed in this fire. Thousands of monks in the University were burnt | | destroyed in this fire. Thousands of monks in the University were burnt |
| alive and beheaded by Khilji’s army. According to DC Ahir, the | | alive and beheaded by Khilji’s army. According to DC Ahir, the |
| destruction of these centres of learning at Nalanda and other places | | destruction of these centres of learning at Nalanda and other places |
− | across northern India was responsible for the demise of ancient Indian | + | across northern India was responsible for the demise of ancient Bharat's |
| scientific thought in mathematics, astronomy, alchemy, and anatomy. | | scientific thought in mathematics, astronomy, alchemy, and anatomy. |
| | | |
− | === References: ===
| + | == References == |
− | * Awakening Indians to India – Central Chinmaya Mission Trust
| + | # Awakening Bharat's to India – Central Chinmaya Mission Trust |
− | * D.C. Ahir (2005). Buddhism Declined in India : How and Why?
| + | # D.C. Ahir (2005). Buddhism Declined in India : How and Why? |
− | * Wikipedia
| + | # Wikipedia |
− | '''Image Sources (Licenses CC BY SA 2.0):''' | + | '''Image Sources (Licenses CC BY SA 2.0)''' |
− | * Ruins of Nalanda University
| + | # Ruins of Nalanda University |
− | * Ruins of Vikramashila University
| + | # Ruins of Vikramashila University |
− | * Ruins of Somapura University
| + | # Ruins of Somapura University |