Class 11 english chapter 2 "NALANDA: ANCIENT SEAT OF LEARNING" Summary and Q&A solution
This chapter, written by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, describes Nalanda as an ancient center of knowledge, its glorious history, academic activities, and international influence.
The chapter begins with the resolution to establish the Magadha Research Institute, which will focus on the study of Pali, Prakrit, and Buddhist philosophy, with the aim of reviving Nalanda's ancient glory.
According to Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Nalanda symbolizes the most glorious period in our history. For nearly six centuries, it remained the center of Asian consciousness, linking different parts of Asia through links of knowledge and eliminating any national or racial discrimination in the field of knowledge. Its history dates back to the times of Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira.
Nalanda's curriculum was intelligently designed, aiming to deepen students' knowledge and make it utilitarian in practical application. The main features of the curriculum were:
Inclusive education: It included both Brahmanical and Buddhist literature, philosophy, science, and arts. 100 lectures were given daily. Compulsory Subjects: Four subjects were mandatory for students to succeed in life:
Grammar: for mastery of the language.
Logic: for rational decision-making.
Medical Science: for maintaining the health of oneself and others.
Handicrafts: for making students financially independent.
Nalanda had 10,000 students and 1,500 teachers, which made individual attention possible. It housed Asia's largest library.
Nalanda's fame was international. Copper plates reveal that the Shailendra emperor Sri Balaputra Deva of the Golden Island (Indonesia) built a monastery in Nalanda and donated five villages for its maintenance.
Nalanda scholars carried the torch of knowledge to foreign lands. Nalanda patriarchs and acharyas, such as Acharya Shanti Rakshita and Acharya Kamal Sheel, traveled to Tibet at the invitation of the emperor to spread Buddhism, translate texts, and establish the first Buddhist monastery. Scholars from China, Korea, and other countries also came to study here.
The remains of magnificent buildings, clay seals, and bronze statues discovered in archaeological excavations confirm ancient accounts. Finally, Dr. Rajendra Prasad appeals for the revival of this glorious educational system and the re-establishment of Nalanda as a great center of art, literature, philosophy, religion, and science.
Nalanda: Ancient Seat of Learning (Questions and Answers)
SHORT ANSWER Questions
1. What kind of library did Nalanda possess?
Nalanda possessed the biggest library in Asia. It held many rare volumes, and citizens ensured their preservation by getting copies and keeping them there for safe custody. Many manuscripts from this library found their way to Nepal and Tibet before its destruction in the 12th century, and many are still preserved there.
2. How many lectures were delivered daily at Nalanda?
One hundred lectures were delivered every day at Nalanda, without any reference to one particular religion.
3. What appeal does Dr Rajendra Prasad make to the people?
Dr. Rajendra Prasad makes an appeal to revive the educational system of a bygone era and re-establish Nalanda as a center of art, literature, philosophy, religion, and science. He states that a cultural renaissance requires a large number of determined scholars to devote a life-time to the search for truth.
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
1. Describe, after Dr Rajendra Prasad, the academic activities at Nalanda. Assess the activities at your school/college in the light of the academic activities at Nalanda.
Academic Activities at Nalanda
As described by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the academic activities at Nalanda were characterized by:
- Liberal and Inclusive Curriculum: The syllabus included both Brahmanical and Buddhist literature, philosophy, sciences, and art. Provision existed for the study of the Vedas and allied literature alongside the Mahayana and other Buddhist Nikayas. The academic attitude was liberal, exposing students to the religion and philosophy of all mankind.
- Mandatory and Utilitarian Subjects: Five subjects were made compulsory:
- Grammar: To gain adequate mastery of the language.
- Logic: To teach students to judge every issue rationally.
- Medical Science: To enable students to keep themselves and others in perfect health.
- Handicrafts: Knowledge of one craft was compulsory to make students financially independent.
- Specialized Study: Besides the four compulsory subjects, religion and philosophy were studied based on one's own special interest.
- Instruction and Library:100 lectures were delivered every day. With 10,000 students and 1,500 teachers, individual attention was possible. Nalanda housed the biggest library in Asia.
Assessment in the Light of Nalanda's Activities (A Model Comparison)
The Nalanda model emphasized a well co-ordinated course of studies that made knowledge deeply penetrating and utilitarian.
| Feature |
Nalanda University |
Current School/College (Model Assessment) |
| Curriculum Goal |
Holistic development; ensured financial independence through compulsory handicraft. |
Specialization; often focused on theoretical knowledge and preparation for specific careers. |
| Practical Life Skills |
Logic, Medical Science, and Handicrafts were compulsory. |
Logic and health are addressed, but a compulsory, income-generating craft is typically missing. |
| Academic Liberalism |
Taught different religions/philosophies without prejudice. |
Generally secular, but true inclusive study of multiple world philosophies is rare outside specialized departments. |
The Nalanda model's focus on compulsory handicraft and medical science as tools for self-reliance and well-being provides a strong contrast to the modern focus on purely theoretical specialization.
2. 'The syllabus of Nalanda University was drawn with great wisdom.' Explain.
The syllabus of Nalanda University was "drawn up with great wisdom" because it was designed to make students successful in their daily life by making their knowledge deeply penetrating and utilitarian in its practical application. This wisdom is seen in the five compulsory subjects:
- Grammar: Ensured adequate mastery of the language, the foundation of all learning.
- Logic: Taught students to judge every issue rationally, equipping them with critical thinking skills.
- Medical Science: Enabled students to keep themselves, as also others, in perfect health, focusing on practical science and well-being.
- Handicrafts: Guaranteed that students were financially independent by mastering a practical trade, ensuring self-reliance beyond academic knowledge.
- Religion and Philosophy: Studied based on special interest, ensuring moral and ethical development.
This holistic design ensured that every student was equipped for physical, intellectual, and financial success.
3. Why were the students of Nalanda University increasingly successful in their daily life? How did the syllabus of Nalanda University help its students? Do you find your syllabus helpful to you? Evaluate your own syllabus in the light of the syllabus of Nalanda University.
Success in Daily Life
Students were increasingly successful in their daily life because of the well-coordinated course of studies. The high ideal set by Nalanda's curriculum ensured that their knowledge was both deeply penetrating and utilitarian in its practical application.
How the Syllabus Helped Students
The compulsory subjects provided essential life skills:
- Grammar and Logic: Provided tools for effective communication and **rational judgment.
- Medical Science: Ensured physical and mental perfect health.
- Handicrafts: Guaranteed financial independence and a means of livelihood.
Evaluation of Your Own Syllabus (A Model Response)
My current syllabus is helpful for providing in-depth theoretical knowledge and preparing me for specialized fields or higher education. However, in comparison to Nalanda's model:
- The 'Handicraft' Gap: My syllabus lacks a compulsory, practical craft designed explicitly for financial independence.
- The 'Medical Science' Gap: While health is covered, a compulsory study of medical science sufficient to maintain 'perfect health' for oneself and others is generally absent.
The modern syllabus is geared toward professional specialization, whereas Nalanda's syllabus aimed at creating successful, self-reliant individuals by balancing intellectual, philosophical, and practical survival skills.
4. What do the copper plates tell about the international relation maintained by Nalanda? Describe in details.
The copper plates found at Nalanda provide direct evidence of its international relations, specifically with Southeast Asia:
- The Donor: The copper plate details the connection with Shri Balputra Deva, the Shailendra Emperor of Swarna Dwipa (part of modern Indonesia).
- The Action: Balputra Deva, impressed by Nalanda's achievement, had a large vihara constructed there to express his devotion to Lord Buddha. He sent his envoy to Devapal Deva (ruler of Magadha) to request the gift of five villages to Nalanda for the vihara's upkeep.
This surviving account proves that Nalanda's fame and achievement were recognized and honored globally, leading to patronage and significant financial support from distant foreign rulers, giving an "indelible impression of the glory which Nalanda enjoyed the world over."
5. What have been found in the archaeological excavation in Nalanda? What do they suggest? Explain.
Findings from Archaeological Excavation
The excavations at Nalanda have confirmed its grandeur:
- Structural Remains: The discovered remains fully bear out the truth of ancient descriptions (e.g., in Yasovarman's inscription) detailing high-spires of viharas and beautiful halls.
- Copper-plates and Statues:Copper-plates and statues dating from the age of Maharaja Dharmapal Deva and Devapal Deva of Bengal were found.
- Clay Seals: Many clay seals of the Nalanda Mahavihariya Arya Bhikshu Sangh were recovered.
What They Suggest
These findings suggest Nalanda's immense prestige and influence:
- Confirmation of Grandeur: The structural remains confirm that Nalanda was a magnificent and highly developed architectural complex.
- Patronage and Finance: The copper plates show that the university received financial maintenance from the rulers of various regions (Bengal, Magadha), confirming its political and financial stability and international renown.
- Administrative Authority: The clay seals of the Sangh suggest the existence of a highly esteemed and well-established administrative and scholarly body whose authority was widely recognized.
The discoveries collectively confirm Nalanda's status as an "unequalled" educational center.
6. How did the scholars of Nalanda carry the torch of knowledge to foreign courtiers? Give details.
Nalanda's scholars acted as key agents for the diffusion of knowledge, particularly to Tibet:
- Scholarly Exchange: The Emperor of Tibet, Strong Chan Gampo, sent his scholar Thonim Sambhot to Nalanda to study the Sanskrit script and Indian knowledge.
- Chancellors Traveling Abroad:Acharya Shanti Rakshit, the Chancellor, and later Acharya Kamal Shila, the chief authority on Tantra Vidya, traveled to Tibet upon the Emperor's invitation.
- Conversion and Translation: Nalanda scholars learned Tibetan, translated Buddhist and Sanskrit works into it, thereby providing a new body of literature, and successfully converted the inhabitants of Tibet to Buddhism. Acharya Shanti Rakshit also established the first Buddhist vihar in Tibet (749 AD).
- Broader Reach: Scholars from countries like China, Korea, Turkistan, and Mongolia came to Nalanda to study. These traveling pilgrims carried copies of manuscripts back, which were then translated (e.g., into Chinese).
Through these efforts, Nalanda created a lasting intellectual and religious link across Asia.
7. "Nalanda is the symbol of the most glorious period of our history". How? Explain.
Nalanda is considered the symbol of the most glorious period of Indian history because its function and reputation represented a pinnacle of intellectual and cultural global leadership:
- Pinnacle of Knowledge: It was the place where "the quest for knowledge blossom[ed] here into its finest shape."
- Centre of Asian Consciousness: For nearly six centuries, it continued to be the "centre of Asian consciousness". It bound various parts of Asia with links of knowledge, proving that there are "no national and racial distinctions in the realm of knowledge."
- Intellectual Liberalism: The university fostered a unique liberalism by having an academic attitude that freely exposed itself to the religion and philosophy of all mankind, without prejudice, teaching both Brahmanical and Buddhist literature.
- Global Reach: It attracted scholars from China, Korea, Tibet, Mongolia, and Turkistan, while simultaneously exporting its knowledge and cultural influence (including its fine arts) across Asia.
In essence, Nalanda symbolizes a time when the region was the unparalleled global leader in education, intellectual freedom, and cultural prestige.
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