Did Bakhtiyar Khalji destroy Nalanda University? Twitter debate resparks controversy

Nalanda University: Nalanda Mahavihara, also known as Nalanda University, is not just a relic of the past; it's a symbol of India's rich heritage. Founded in the 5th Century AD, this Buddhist monastic university thrived for over seven centuries, standing as one of the world's largest and most prestigious centres of learning.

Drawing scholars and students from across Asia, Nalanda played a pivotal role in the global dissemination of Buddhism and Indian culture.

A Bold Claim Shakes the Narrative

Recently, Dr Ruchika Sharma, a history PhD scholar at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), shook the foundation of this historical narrative. She boldly refuted the long-standing belief that Bakhtiyar Khalji was responsible for Nalanda's destruction. In a tweet, Dr Sharma stated, "One of the biggest myths of Indian history is that Bakhtiyar Khalji destroyed Nalanda... In fact, there is inscriptional evidence that Nalanda was burnt 200 years before Khalji."

This tweet, posted on October 31, has created waves, amassing over 500,000 views, 1,800 likes, and nearly 800 retweets on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

A Divisive Debate on Social Media

While Dr Sharma's video '3 myths of Nalanda | Ancient university' has gained over 9,000 views on Twitter, it has also ignited a fiery debate. Some users on the platform vehemently contested her claims, with one individual accusing her of propagating false versions of history.

Unravelling the Greatness of Nalanda

Nalanda University's curriculum was grounded in Buddhist teachings but extended its embrace to a wide array of subjects like Logic, Mathematics, Astronomy, Medicine, and Literature. The stringent entrance examination ensured that only the brightest minds gained admission. The faculty consisted of distinguished scholars, and Nalanda alumni held prominent positions in government, academia, and religion.

The university's library, one of the world's most extensive, housed over nine million books covering diverse subjects. Nalanda also played a crucial role in translating Buddhist texts into various languages, including Chinese and Tibetan.

Nalanda was a cosmopolitan hub of learning, drawing students from across Asia. This diverse environment fostered intellectual stimulation. It was a hub for Buddhist research, with pivotal texts, including the Mahayana sutras and the works of Nagarjuna, Aryabhata, and Dharmakirti, composed and studied there.

Today, the UNESCO World Heritage Site showcases Nalanda's ruins, including remnants of the library, classrooms, dormitories, and temples. The Nalanda Museum exhibits artefacts like sculptures, coins, and manuscripts, preserving the legacy of this groundbreaking institution.

Nalanda Mahavihara is not just a historical landmark; it's a testament to India's enduring cultural and intellectual richness that continues to inspire scholars and learners worldwide.