Nalanda (Buddhist University)

Pala period, 7th - 12th century Bihar, near Patna

The ancient Buddhist university of Nalanda was probably founded in the Gupta period (6th century). Prominent remains include nine monasteries and four temples, dating mostly from the 7th century AD but with some earlier and later elements, that face each other in two rows. A Hindu temple of the same period, designated Temple 2 in the plan, abuts the rear wall (east) of monasteries 7 and 8. Its association with the Buddhist university of Nalanda is unclear.