Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
Which one of the following places was not the centre of learning during early medieval period?
Solution & Analysis
Answer: C
Concept
Early Medieval India (8th–12th century) was the era of 'Mahaviharas' in Eastern India, supported primarily by the Pala kings. The ancient hubs of the North-West had already declined due to invasions.Explanation
Nalanda, Vikramshila, and Uddantapur (all in Bihar) were flourishing Buddhist universities during this time. Taxila (Option C), however, had been destroyed by the Huns in the 5th century and never regained its status as a major academic center in the early medieval period.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Taxila was an ancient center (Mauryan/Kushan era). By the 8th century, the center of gravity for higher education had shifted to the East.
Logic 2: Options A, B, and D were all active until the Turkish raids of Bakhtiyar Khalji in the early 13th century.