Takshsila (1000 B.C to 500 A.D.)
The oldest university. Name of university is derived from the name of son of King Bharat that is Taksh. The is associated with Ramayana. The area in which this university is located at the then Gandhara kingdom. It is 55 miles away from the banks of Sindhu river and 20 miles to east of Ravalpindi (now in Pakistan). Researcher Cunningham found the location of the university. It is spread over six square miles.
Each teacher wan an institution in himself and enjoyed full autonomy in his work. The kind had no control over the functions of university. There was no fixed tenure to declare completion of the course of study. If the teacher is satisfied with the achievements of the scholar then the teacher could conclude the course.
The entry to the university was allowed to only those students who have received secondary education and has attained the age of 16 to 17 years. Takshsila was the intellectual capital of India, a central university that exercised suzerainty over the world of letter s in India.
There were two types of courses at the university namely Vedas and Shilpas. The number of Vedas taught was three. Probably Atharvaveda was dropped. Six auxiliary sciences were taught namely pronunciation, performance of various rites and sacrifices, grammar, astronomy, prosody, etymology. 18 shilpas were taught but there is no detailed list of Shilpas. Probable Shilpas could be (as per two different secondary source of information)
- Holy tradition and secular law
- Nyaya (Logic)
- Vaisheshika (Atomic theory of creation)
- Arithmetic
- Music
- Medicine
- Four Vedas
- Puranas
- History
- Military Art
- Poetry
- Conveyancing
- Accountancy
- Agriculture
- Cattle breeding
- Smithy
- Carpentry
- Snake Charming
- Archery
- Magic
- Dancing
- Painting etc
The above list is the combination of Shilpas noted by two different secondary sources of information. Inclusion of Vedas as a Shilpa is arguable as per many scholars.
Some famous students of the University. Paanini the greatest grammarian of Sanskrit, Chanakya also known as Kautilya the author of Arthshastra, Jivaka the famous physician
Hunas and Kushanas destroyed the university. Recognized as an UNESCO site from 1980.
Nalanda (425 A.D. to 1205 A.D.)
The place of university is sanctified by the stay of Buddha and his disciples 522 B.C to 477 B.C. This is the place where Jain tirthankara Mahavira met Gosala. The university was founded by Kumargupta also known as Shakraditya. As per the writings of Hiuen Tsiang there were six monasteries. The university used to conduct a strict entrance examination for admissions. Probable age of admission was not less than twenty. The university taught Mahayana and Hinyana Buddhism.
Subjects taught at university are as follows.
- Logic(Nyaya)
- Astronomy
- Tantra
- Mudra
- Vedas
- Medicine
- Sankhya
- Philology
- Law
- Philosophy
Following is the list of teachers who taught at the university. (To list a few)
- Nagarjuna
- Aryadeva
- Vasubandhu
- Asanga
- Sthirmati
- Dharmpala
- Shilabhadra
- Shantideva
- Santrakshita
- Padmsambhava
- Kamasila
- Chnadrogomin
- Buddhakirti
The university received a tragic blow at the hands of Muslim invaders under Mohammad Bin Bakhtiyar Khilji at the end of the twelfth century. The priceless library of the university was also wantonly was set on fire and destroyed. The university got the UNESCO world heritage site recognition in 2016.
Valabhi (600 A. D. to 1200 A.D.)
Located in Saurashtra in Western India. Championed the doctrine so Hinayana. Valabhi was the capitol of Maitraka kings during the period 480 775 A.D. Taught religious and secular subjects. Some of those subjects are Niti, Varta, Administration, Theology, Law, Economics and Accountancy.
The patron kings succumbed to an Arab attack in 775 A.D.
Vikramsila (800 A.D. to 1200 A.D.)
Situated on the banks of Ganges of northen Magadha. As per Dr. Vidhyabhushana the location is near Sultanganj inBhagalpur district and as oer Cunningham the location is near village Silao of Badagoan. The university was established by Dharmapala in the eighth century. Grammar, Logic, Metaphysics and Ritualism was taught at the university. The tragic end of this university came in 1203 A.D. at the hands of Bakhtiyar Khilji, an officer of Kutub-ud-din.