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Question

Nalanda University is widely recognised as one of the ancient world's great universities and an important Buddhist centre of academic excellence.
Which Indian ruler founded it?

This question was previously asked in
RRB NTPC 2019 CBT 1 Question Paper (8-Mar-2021) (Shift 2)
The correct answer is
Kumaragupta I

Nalanda University Founder Identified

Nalanda University, a prominent ancient centre of Buddhist learning, was established during India's classical period.

Identifying the Founder

Historical records indicate that Kumaragupta I, a ruler of the Gupta Empire, was the founder of Nalanda University.

He reigned from 415 to 455 CE, and his patronage was crucial for the establishment of this great institution.

Analysis of Options

  • Chandragupta Maurya: Founder of the Maurya Empire (c. 322 BCE), significantly earlier than Nalanda's establishment.
  • Ashok: A Mauryan emperor (c. 268-232 BCE) known for promoting Buddhism, but not the founder of Nalanda.
  • Harshavardhan: A ruler of the Pushyabhuti dynasty (c. 606-647 CE), who patronized Nalanda later but did not found it.
  • Kumaragupta I: Identified as the founder, establishing the university during his reign in the 5th century CE.
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Similar Questions

  1. Who ascended the Gupta throne after Chandragupta I?
  2. Which period has been described as the Golden Age of Indian history?
  3. Which of the following kings of the Gupta Empire was also a good Veena player?
  4. Under which dynasty the rulers wrote their achievements in prashasti ?
  5. Which military division had become rare in warfare during the Gupta period despite being part of the army in texts?
  6. Chandragupta I strengthened his political position by marrying Princess Kumaradevi of which tribal lineages?

  7. Kalidasa, the celebrated Sanskrit poet and dramatist, flourished in the court of which Gupta ruler?

  8. Harshavardhana's sister, Rajyashri, was married to whom among the following?

  9. Which statement correctly describes the nature of Kumaragupta I's rule?

  10. Which of the following inscriptions is the main source of information of Samudragupta's military achievements?


Important Questions from Gupta Age

  1. Which one of the following was composed by Harishena?

  2. The last recognised king of the Gupta kingdom was _______.

  3. When did the Vikrama Era begin?

  4. Who among the following rulers is called the ‘Napoleon of India’?

  5. Who wrote Samudragupta's prashasti (a eulogy written in the form of poetry or prose, usually by court poets) at Allahabad?

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