India Mint Stamp
Lokith Philately
Permanent Pictorial cancellation of Bihar
Permanent Pictorial cancellation of Bihar
Permanent Pictorial Cancellation inaugural day covers
Permanent Pictorial Cancellation inaugural day covers
Date of issue: 08.10.2024
Date of issue: 08.10.2024
Pin code: 801303
Pin code: 801303
Status: Active
Status: Active
PO Name: Nalanda
PO Name: Nalanda
Description: Nalanda, a historic city in the Magadha region of Bihar, is famous as the site of the ancient Nalanda Mahavihara, one of the oldest residential universities in the world. Founded around 427 AD by emperor Kumaragupta I of the Gupta Empire, Nalanda remained a centre of learning for centuries, receiving support from a variety of Indian and Javanese patrons. It flourished particularly during the reign of the Pala Empire 750-1161 AD, but even after their decline, the institution continued to receive patronage from local rulers such as the Peethipati of Bodh Gaya.
Description: Nalanda, a historic city in the Magadha region of Bihar, is famous as the site of the ancient Nalanda Mahavihara, one of the oldest residential universities in the world. Founded around 427 AD by emperor Kumaragupta I of the Gupta Empire, Nalanda remained a centre of learning for centuries, receiving support from a variety of Indian and Javanese patrons. It flourished particularly during the reign of the Pala Empire 750-1161 AD, but even after their decline, the institution continued to receive patronage from local rulers such as the Peethipati of Bodh Gaya.
Nalanda probably suffered destruction by Muhammad Bakhtiar Khilji around 1200 AD, but some believe the university continued to function for centuries after that. Nalanda's academic influence spanned more than 750 years, during which it became the foremost centre of Mahayana Buddhist studies, attracting the greatest scholars of the era, such as Dharmapala, Nagarjuna, Dharmakirti, Asanga, Vasubandhu, Chandrakirti, and Xuanzang. The university's curriculum covered a wide range of subjects, including Buddhist philosophies such as Madhyamaka, Yogacara, and Sarvastivada, as well as non-Buddhist subjects such as the Vedas, grammar, medicine, logic, mathematics, astronomy, and alchemy.
Nalanda probably suffered destruction by Muhammad Bakhtiar Khilji around 1200 AD, but some believe the university continued to function for centuries after that. Nalanda's academic influence spanned more than 750 years, during which it became the foremost centre of Mahayana Buddhist studies, attracting the greatest scholars of the era, such as Dharmapala, Nagarjuna, Dharmakirti, Asanga, Vasubandhu, Chandrakirti, and Xuanzang. The university's curriculum covered a wide range of subjects, including Buddhist philosophies such as Madhyamaka, Yogacara, and Sarvastivada, as well as non-Buddhist subjects such as the Vedas, grammar, medicine, logic, mathematics, astronomy, and alchemy.
The library here, known for its vast collection of Sanskrit texts, was a major resource for scholars from across East Asia, particularly Chinese pilgrims such as Xuanzang and Viling, who recorded their experiences at Nalanda. Texts composed at Nalanda, such as Dharmakirti's works, Shantideva's Bodhisattvacaryavatara, and the Mahavairocana Tantra, had a significant influence on the development of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. The ruins of Nalanda are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2010, the Indian government passed a resolution to revive the ancient university, resulting in the establishment of a contemporary Nalanda University in Raigir, which has been declared an institution of national importance. Nalanda's rich history, starting from the time of the Buddha, underlines its significance as a beacon of ancient learning and intercultural exchange, documented by travellers such as Xuanzang and I-Tsing.
The library here, known for its vast collection of Sanskrit texts, was a major resource for scholars from across East Asia, particularly Chinese pilgrims such as Xuanzang and Viling, who recorded their experiences at Nalanda. Texts composed at Nalanda, such as Dharmakirti's works, Shantideva's Bodhisattvacaryavatara, and the Mahavairocana Tantra, had a significant influence on the development of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. The ruins of Nalanda are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2010, the Indian government passed a resolution to revive the ancient university, resulting in the establishment of a contemporary Nalanda University in Raigir, which has been declared an institution of national importance. Nalanda's rich history, starting from the time of the Buddha, underlines its significance as a beacon of ancient learning and intercultural exchange, documented by travellers such as Xuanzang and I-Tsing.