MPPCS (Pre) 2004

Ancient Universities

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Buddhist centre of learning is-

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept During the early medieval period, the Pala kings founded major 'Mahaviharas' (monastic universities) that preserved Vajrayana and Mahayana traditions.

Explanation Vikramshila (Bhagalpur district, Bihar) was founded by the Pala King Dharmapala in the late 8th century. It became a global center for Buddhist studies, especially Tantric Buddhism.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Vikramshila was one of the five most important Buddhist universities in India.
Logic 2: Varanasi and Ujjain were primary centers for Brahmanical/Sanskritic learning, not Buddhist specialized learning.

Active Recall

Question

Which specific branch of Buddhism was Vikramshila most famous for?

Answer

It was the premier center for the study of Vajrayana (Tantric) Buddhism.

Core Insight

Vikramshila carried the torch of Buddhist scholarship after Nalanda's peak, serving as a vital link between Indian Buddhism and Tibet.