The campus of Nalanda was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 19, 2024, with ambassadors from countries like Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Japan, and Korea in attendance. These nations have deep historical ties to Buddhism, largely due to Emperor Ashok’s efforts to spread the religion. The idea of reviving Nalanda as a global university was first proposed by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in 2006 and later supported by the Bihar Assembly and the UPA Government.
During the inauguration, Modi reiterated the common belief that Nalanda was destroyed by foreign invaders in the 12th century, specifically Bakhtiyar Khilji, a courtier of Mahmud Ghori. This narrative aligns with the broader misconception that Muslim invaders destroyed Hindu temples and spread Islam by force, a perspective popularized by British colonial historiography and later adopted by communal groups in India.
However, historical evidence challenges this narrative. Nalanda was a renowned residential university built by the Guptas in the sixth century and later patronized by various dynasties, including the Palas and Senas. Its decline began when royal patronage shifted to new universities like Odantpuri and Vikramshila.
The story that Khilji burned Nalanda lacks primary sources. Khilji’s focus was on looting and plundering, and Nalanda was not on his route. Key historical texts, such as “Tabakat-i-Nasiri” by Minhaj-e-Siraj, and works by Tibetan scholars Dharmaswamin, Sumpa, and Taranath, do not mention Khilji attacking Nalanda. Additionally, significant Buddhist sites like Ajanta, Ellora, and Sanchi Stupa were not targeted by invaders.
According to Prof. D. N. Jha, in his essay “Responding to a Communalist,” and references to Taranath’s “History of Buddhism in India,” the burning of Nalanda’s library was likely due to a conflict between Buddhist and Brahmanical mendicants. Brahmanical mendicants, retaliating against perceived insults from Buddhists, performed a sacrifice that led to the fire.
This period saw rising tensions between Buddhism and Brahmanism, with notable incidents like Pushyamitra Shunga’s persecution of Buddhists after he overthrew Ashoka’s grandson. Reliable sources indicate that Brahmins, not Khilji, were responsible for the destruction of Nalanda’s library as an act of revenge.
Propagating the myth of Khilji’s involvement serves to fuel Islamophobic sentiments and obscures the historical persecution of Buddhism. It is crucial to preserve the spirit of free debate and logic that characterized Buddhist education, especially as contemporary universities face challenges from a culture of obedience and subordination. Learning from the tragic history of the conflict between Buddhism and Brahmanism can help advance academia in India.
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