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Ancient Higher Education

Hiuen Tsang at Nalanda: Studies and Travels

The Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang studied at Nalanda University. He spent approximately five years there in the 7th century, studying Buddhist philosophy under the scholar Shilabhadra.

Primary Reference: NCERT Class VI - Our Pasts I

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Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang studied at the University of-

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1995]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept


Ancient Indian universities were centers of international learning that attracted global scholars seeking mastery of Buddhist philosophy and advanced logic.

Authentic Source Evidence


Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) studied at Nalanda University for about five years (637–642 CE). He was a student of the eminent abbot Shilabhadra and documented his experiences in Si-Yu-Ki.

Analytical Breakdown


  • Logic 1: Nalanda, in modern Bihar, was the pre-eminent Buddhist university during the 7th Century.

  • Logic 2: Taxila (Option A) was a center of learning during the Mauryan and Kushan periods, much earlier than Hiuen Tsang's visit.

  • Logic 3: Vikramshila (Option B) was founded later by the Pala king Dharmapala in the 8th Century.

    • Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

    "Who was the teacher of Hiuen Tsang at Nalanda?"

    He studied under the guidance of the venerable teacher and abbot Shilabhadra.

    Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

    "Hiuen Tsang's presence at Nalanda highlights the university's role as a global bridge for the transmission of Buddhist knowledge to East Asia."

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