Question

Which ruler founded the famous Vikram Shila University of the Buddhists?

Answer 1

Dharampala was ruler founded the famous Vikramshila University for the Buddhists in the late 8th or early 9th century.

Vikramashila

• The remains of the ancient university have been partially excavated in Bhagalpur district of Bihar.
• Around 1193, it was destroyed by the forces of Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khalji
• It was established due to supposed decline in scholarship at Nalanda.
• As per Tibetan sources, during the Pāla period in ancient Magadha and Bengal, a number of monasteries grew up.
• The famous five universities during this period were Vikramashila, Nalanda, Odantapura, and Jagaddala. They were the five great Mahaviharas.
• There was a system of coordination among these 5 universities and they were under state supervision.

Pala Empire

• Pala Empire reached its peak under Emperors Devapala and Dharmapala.
• The last strong Pala ruler was emperor Ramapala.
• The Pala Empire originated in the region of Bengal.
• The Palas were military conquerors and astute diplomats.
• The empire enjoyed relations with the Arab Abbasid Caliphate, the Tibetan Empire , Srivijaya Empire.
• At its height in the early 9th century, the Pala Empire was the dominant power in the northern Indian subcontinent.
• The Navy of the Pala empire performed both mercantile and defensive roles in the Bay of Bengal.
• Its territory stretched across the Gangetic plain to include northern and northeastern India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and parts of modern-day eastern Pakistan.
• The Pala stronghold was located in Bengal and Bihar, which included the major cities of Gauda, Pataliputra, Vikrampura, Jaggadala, Monghyr, Ramvati (Varendra), Somapura, and Tamralipta.
• They were followers of the Tantric and Mahayana schools of Buddhism.
• They built great temples and monasteries.