60th to 62nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2016

Ancient Universities of India

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

In which among the following states, 'Odantipur' Education Centre was situated?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept During the Pala period, the Magadha region (modern Bihar) was the global epicenter for Buddhist learning, hosting a network of universities that influenced all of Asia.

Explanation Odantipur (also known as Odantapuri) was located in Bihar (near modern Bihar Sharif). It was established in the 7th century CE by Gopala I, the founder of the Pala dynasty.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: It was the second-oldest university in India after Nalanda.
Logic 2: It served as a primary model for the design of the Samye Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet.
Logic 3: Like Vikramshila and Nalanda, it was destroyed by the forces of Bakhtiyar Khalji in the late 12th/early 13th century.

Active Recall

Question

What was the international impact of Odantapuri University?

Answer

It was so famous in Tibet that the Samye Monastery was built as a direct architectural replica of the Odantapuri Mahavihara.

Core Insight

While often overshadowed by Nalanda, Odantapuri was critical in preserving and transmitting the Buddhist tradition to the Himalayan regions.