NALANDA UNIVERSITY

(SEA OF KNOWLEDGE)

Submitted By- Aman Kumar

(Based on a visit to Nalanda University)

INTRODUCTION

Monks in Nalanda

Nalanda was a small village nearby city of Rajagriha (modern Rajgir) in Bihar, which

was then the capital of Magadha. Buddha was said to have delivered lectures in a

nearby forest named Pravarik and one of his two chief disciples, Shariputra, born in

Nalanda.

Nalanda was the first international university of the world, having 10,000 students and

2000 faculty. It was found in the 5th century A.D. by the Gupta Empire, known as the

ancient sea of learning.

Root Map of Nalanda

HISTORY OF NALANDA

The term ‘Nalanda’ was derived from the combination of three Sanskrit words –

Na+Alam+Daa, which meant ‘no stopping of the gift of knowledge. Nalanda was a

great Monastery-cum educational institution for oriental art and learning from the 5th

century to  1200 CE and Nalanda was a great center of Buddhist learning in ancient

times

In 1200 A.D.Islamic zealots led by Bhaktiyar Khilji destroyed the Nalanda University

completely.

FAMOUS FACTS ABOUT NALANDA

• The MIGHTY Library -The library of the Nalanda University was known as

Dharma Gunj, the meaning of Dharma gunj was the Mountain of Truth. It took

about 3-6 months for it to burn down completely. There were thousands of books

from different fields like Science, Astronomy, Medicine, Logic, Hindu Scriptures,

Buddhist, and Jain literature

• Influence on Buddhism -It is mainly influenced by the Tibetan Buddhism culture,

majority of students and teachers follow Buddhism.

The entire range of world knowledge was available in Nalanda, like

Buddhist & Jain, Sacred & Secular, Foreign & Native, Science, Astronomy,

Metaphysics, Philosophy, Samkhya, Yoga –Shastra, the Vedas, and the

Scriptures of Buddhism etc.

SCHOLARS OF NALANDA

Mahavira and Buddha both visited Nalanda in 5 th and 6th century B.C. . It is

also the place of birth and nirvana of shariputra , one of the famous disciples of

Buddha.

Xuanzang (Hieun-Tsang) visited Nalanda in the 7th century B.C., stayed for 3

years and left a vivid account of the curriculum and of the general features of the

community.

Some other scholars and historical figures of note associated with Nalanda are

Aryabhata, Dinnaga-the founder of Buddhist logic, Nagarjuna-formaliser of the

concept of Shunyata.

ARCHITECT OF NALANDA

structure of ventilation - The architect designed the ventilation of rooms in such

a way that fresh air circulates inside all the time.

All the eight separate compounds & 10 temples, meditation halls, classrooms,

hostels, lecture halls, lakes and parks built in Kushan Architectural style

. Most of the structure of Nalanda built with the special type of bricks and the

walls are very thick and strong.

The architect of Nalanda was richly carved, painted and ornamented. A number

of monasteries were built close to each other.

Thick Bricks structure Stupa Site-3

Meditation Sites Monastery ruins

Floral Motifs Motifs on Temple Walls

TEXTILE INSPIRED FROM MOTIFS OF NALANDA

There are two types of textiles inspired from the motifs of nalanda like

• Sujuni

• Khatwa

SUJUNI- It is mainly a embroidery work, which uses a running stitch and the motifs

which are commonly used are Buddhist motifs.

Sujuni floral motif work Sujuni floral motif work

KHATWA- Khatwa is mainly the applied technique work. Only the waste and torn

clothes were used to make motifs. Khatwa has gained much appreciation from the

patrons of art.

Khatwa floral work Khatwa wok

CONCLUSION

In order to understand the significance and cultural uniqueness of Nalanda university,

one need to explore the various aspects of Nalanda universitity’s motifs, architech and

their culatureof ancient history. Nalanda universityalways inspired the forms and

designs of sujuni and khatawa. But unfortunately it is dying. As a moral responsibility to

our country’s indigenous art forms, we as designers, must take pride and attempt to

preserve it or interpret it to today’s modern world before it is lost forever.

Bibliography(2008, september). Retrieved august 2015, from maps.google:

http://www.touristplacesinindia.com/nalanda/images/nalanda-district-map.gif

Nalanda-onthemove. (2011). Retrieved august 2015, from google.com: Nalanda-onthemove.blogspot.com

arora, n. (2007, august). in the light of nalanda.

Gowswami, R. (2015, august). Tourist guide of nalanda university. (Aman, Interviewer)

NALANDA UNIVERSITY SEA OF KNOWLEDGE

SUBMITED BY- AMAN KUMAR

UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF – MANISH BHARGAV

DEPARTMENT OF TEXTILE

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY

GANDHINAGAR