Nalanda, Gupta - GS questions based on daily current affairs

ANSWER: Patna University

Explanation:

• In the very beginning, the Mahavihara was affiliated to Patna University, the alone University of the State for academic purposes.
• The next year, 1952 the Institute came under the academic jurisdiction of the newly founded Bihar University, Patna and continued to remain under it till former of the Magadh University in 1962.
• But taking degree from a University other than Nalanda was not liked by the student of the Buddhist countries of South-east Asia. They say that they have come to India to obtain a degree of Nalanda and not of other University, because the tradition and importance of the ancient Nalanda Mahavihara are still fresh in their memory.
• When the Crown Prince of Laos His Highness Sri Vong Savong had come to India in 1966, he had expressed his wish to get the degree of Nalanda. it was at a special request from the Government of India that the Mahavihara held a convocation and conferred the degree of ‘Viudya-Varidhi’ (D.Litt) honoris causa on him. This had a very great impact on the Buddhist countries towards the regeneration of Indo-Asian-Cultural cordiality.
• Ministry of Human Resources Development granted ‘Nav Nalanda Mahavihara (NNM)’ the status of Deemed to be University in 2006.

ANSWER: Nav Nalanda Mahavihara

Explanation:

• Ministry of Human Resources Development granted ‘Nav Nalanda Mahavihara (NNM)’ the status of Deemed to be University on November 13, 2006.
• The idea behind the establishment of this Institute was to develop it into a centre of higher studies on the lines of the old Nalanda Viharas.
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of the Republic of India had initiated the idea and declared that the ancient seat of Buddhist learning at Nalanda would be revived and thus had emanated the vision of establishing the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara.
• At the insistence of Ven. Bhikshu Jagdish Kashyap, the Government of Bihar established a research institute called "Magadh Institute of Post-Graduate Studies and Research in Pali and Allied Languages and Buddhist Learning" at Nalanda in 1951. It later came to be known as Nava Nalanda Mahavihara.

ANSWER: Nalanda

Explanation:

• Earning the title of ‘Medieval School of Discussion and Logic’, Nalanda`s scholars mastered the art and science of debate developing it into a critical tool for higher learning. Today, the continuity of its systems is also evident in contemporary monasteries in Sri Lanka, Tibet and Nepal.
• In fact, the term Nalanda has become synonymous with aspired standard of education as evidenced in several 21st century namesake institutions all over the world.
• Apart from teaching of topics related to Buddhism, contemporary texts and philosophies, logic, grammar, science, and medicine were also part of the knowledge imparted at Nalanda.

ANSWER: The Excavated Remains at Nalanda

Explanation:

• Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University) Gets Inscribed in World Heritage List.
• It presents a key archaeological evidence of a truly international centre for organised learning.
• It has been included as an cultural site.
• About six centuries after Nalanda’s decline, the site was first discovered and reported by Sir Francis Buchanan. The site was systematically excavated and consolidated by Archaeological Survey of India from 1915 to 1937 and again from 1974 to 1982.
• Built ensembles in Nalanda are physical manifestation of influence of ancient Indian pedagogy where planning, architecture and artistic traditions of Indian sub-continent and beyond developed into subsequent architectural and artistic prototypes.
• Nalanda distinguished itself as the earliest planned university of the Indian subcontinent.