Ancient Universities of India - Thriving in Education
Every Indian student dreams of studying abroad today - and I did, too.
But if we were in ancient India, we might not have needed to.
Here are 6 iconic ancient Indian universities that made us the global centre for advanced cross-cultural learning.
1. Sharada Peeth: Located in present-day PoK, this temple-university was active by the 6th century CE.
It was a seat of learning in the Sharada script, with focus on Vedic philosophy, logic, linguistics, and sacred sciences.
It was so reputed that Sri Adi Shankaracharya himself is said to have travelled here for a shastrartha - a philosophical debate.
2. Takshashila (Taxila): Arguably the world’s first university, operational from at least the 6th century BCE in modern-day Pakistan.
Some texts associate it with Bharat, Sri Ram’s brother, though this is debated. Regardless, it attracted students from across Persia, Central Asia, and even Greece.
It taught everything - Ayurveda, archery, politics, economics, astronomy, grammar - and had legendary faculty like Chanakya, Panini (father of Sanskrit grammar), and Charaka (Ayurveda’s pioneer).
3. Nalanda: Located in present-day Bihar, it began under the Gupta empire in the 5th century CE and became a pan-Asian powerhouse of Mahāyāna Buddhist learning.
It had thousands of students and teachers, a massive library, and hosted global scholars like Xuanzang and Yijing. It taught philosophy, astronomy, medicine, and logic.
It was destroyed in the 12th century by the Turkic Muslim invader Bakhtiyar Khilji. The library burned for days. We’ve only recovered fragments of what once existed in those times.
4. Vallabhi: Located in present-day Gujarat, Vallabhi thrived between the 6th and 8th centuries CE. It specialised in Jain philosophy, Nyaya-Vaisheshika logic, polity, and law.
Jain scholar Jinabhadra Gani Ksamasramana and others taught here. It was praised by Chinese pilgrims for its academic rigour and was considered a sister university to Nalanda.
5. Vikramashila: Founded in the 8th century CE by Pala king Dharmapala in Bihar, it rivalled Nalanda.
It was known for Tantric Buddhist studies and structured debates. It produced great scholars like Atiśa, who later revived Buddhism in Tibet.
6. India’s Broader University Network
From Pushpagiri in Odisha to Ujjain’s astronomical school led by Varāhamihira, to Mithila’s school of nyayashastra i.e. logic and Odantapuri Mahavihara in Bihar - India had a decentralised network of highly specialised universities.
We also had Kanthalloor Shala in Kerala, called the Nalanda of the South.
These unis mixed many thinkers from various belief systems openly but our India has suffered centuries of invasions from Persians, Mughals & then Britishers.
So when we critique our education system today, you have to remember that it’s partially because of our history: we had to constantly rebuild from the ashes.
To the students choosing to stay, build, and revive this legacy - you have my respect & hope. So let’s work to make India the hub of global knowledge again!