The library of the ancient Nalanda University, known as Dharmaganja, was a legendary repository of knowledge that once housed hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of books and manuscripts. Operating from the 5th century CE, the library was the intellectual heart of the world's first residential university, which attracted scholars from across Asia. Its eventual destruction by invaders in the 12th century is considered one of the greatest losses of knowledge in human history.
The structure of Dharmaganja
Tibetan accounts provide the most detailed descriptions of the library, whose name translates to "Piety Mart" or "Treasury of Truth". The library was composed of three multi-story buildings, named after their vast and precious contents:
- Ratnasagara (Ocean of Jewels): The most famous of the library buildings, this was a nine-story structure that "soared into the clouds". It held the most sacred texts, including the revered Prajnaparamita Sutra and Guhyasamaja.
- Ratnodadhi (Sea of Jewels): This was another immense multi-story building that housed a vast collection of rare and sacred manuscripts.
- Ratnaranjaka (Jewel-adorned): The third of the great library buildings, also filled with manuscripts.
A comprehensive collection of ancient wisdom
The collection at Dharmaganja was not limited to Buddhist philosophy; it included texts spanning a wide range of subjects. The curriculum at Nalanda drew on both Buddhist and Vedic traditions, and its library reflected this diversity. Subjects covered in the massive collection included:
- Mathematics and astronomy, with scholars like Aryabhata associated with the university
- Logic (Hetuvidyā) and grammar (Shabdavidya)
- Literature and philology
- The Vedic texts, Samkhya philosophy, and other works considered non-Buddhist at the time
The destruction of the library
The end of Nalanda University came with a devastating invasion and is widely regarded as a tragedy for global intellectual history.
- Final blow by Bakhtiyar Khilji: In approximately 1200 CE, the university was sacked and burned by the Turkish invader Bakhtiyar Khilji.
- Continuous burning: Accounts by the Tibetan historian Taranatha and other sources report that the massive library burned for several months, such was the immense volume of manuscripts contained within.
- Irreparable loss: The catastrophic fire destroyed countless handwritten, palm-leaf manuscripts and ancient wooden folios. A handful of texts were saved by fleeing monks who carried them to safety in Tibet.
- Symbolic end of an era: The library's destruction is seen as a pivotal moment in the decline of institutional Buddhism in India, marking the end of a long and rich tradition of advanced learning.
Enduring legacy
Despite the loss of its immense library, Nalanda's legacy continues to inspire modern education and scholarship.
- Influence on Tibetan Buddhism: The surviving monks and manuscripts from Nalanda were instrumental in the development of Buddhism in Tibet. The Dalai Lama has referred to himself as a follower of the Nalanda masters' lineage.
- Modern revival: The ruins of the ancient site are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2010, the Indian government passed a resolution to revive the university, and a new international university was established in 2014, not far from the original site
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