"Nalanda is a symbol of India's academic heritage and vibrant cultural exchange." Elucidate with specific references to foreign travelers' accounts. (10 marks, 150 words)

Symbol of Academic Heritage:

○ Landmark Manuscripts: Written by thinker like Fa Xien who wrote Fu-kuo Ki (Record I) Buddhist Kingdom

○ New Disciplines: Emerged due to diverse thinker backgrounds. Eg Varah Mihir on cloud formation

○ Exchange of Ideas: between contemporary thinkers like Fa-Xien and I-tsang (Both Chinese philosophers)

○ Royal Patronage: Allowed expansion of university of resources. Eg King Gopala gave many villages to Nalanda upkeep

Symbol of Vibrant Cultural Exchange:

○ Buddhist Thought: Expanded due to thinkers like Hueng Tsang who came to court of King Harvivardhana (Puri, abhed Dinasti)

○ Expansion of Indian culture: By Hueng Tsang in East Asia & China on silk route

○ New system of culture: due to dialectical thought caused by diverse ideas.

university of resources. Eg Bulamarh roles King Gopala gave many villages to Nalanda upkeep

Symbol of Vibrant Cultural Exchange

○ Buddhist Thought: Expanded due to thinkers like Hueng Tsang who came to court of King Harvivardhana (Puri, abhed Dinasti)

○ Expansion of Indian culture: By Hueng Tsang in East Asia & China on silk route

○ New system of culture: due to dialectical thought caused by diverse ideas.

Nalanda university was a modern university in its times, and has today been served in Nalanda as a 21st century university as envisaged by President Kalam.

— Aditya Mathur · AIR 98