The original Nalanda University, established in the 5th century, was renowned for its excellence in various disciplines and attracted scholars from across Asia.
The library, "Dharma Gunj" or "Mountain of Truth," housed an impressive collection of nine million books, with the largest building, Ratnodadhi, standing nine stories high and storing the most sacred manuscripts.
Nalanda was the world's first residential university, accommodating over 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers, and was a major center for Buddhist studies as well as subjects like astronomy, medicine, logic, and mathematics.
The university is located near the Nalanda ruins, which were declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2016, emphasizing the site's immense cultural and historical importance. The ruins, dating back to the 5th century CE
After nearly 800 years, Nalanda University reopened in 2014, marking a significant milestone in the history of one of the world's oldest centers of learning.
The new campus signifies the revival of one of the world's oldest universities, blending ancient wisdom with contemporary knowledge.