Nalanda, the renowned 5th-century CE Mahavihara, is considered one of the world’s first residential universities. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it thrived for 800 years as a centre for learning in the eastern state of Bihar.
The site comprises the archaeological remains of a monastic and scholastic institution dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 13th century CE. It includes ‘stupas’, ‘shrines’, ‘viharas’ (residential and educational buildings) and important art works in stucco, stone and metal.
Nalanda continues to receive sustained attention from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for its preservation, research and presentation.
Systematic excavations carried out by ASI during 1915-37 and later between 1974-82 have revealed extensive remains of six major brick temples and 11 monasteries, laid out in a planned architectural pattern over an area exceeding one square kilometre.
Talking to The Tribune, Nandini Bhattacharya Sahu, Joint Director General, ASI, said the heritage preservation body is currently working on upgrading the Archaeological Museum at Nalanda which houses a rich collection of antiquities recovered from the excavations.
“A dedicated site museum, the Archaeological Museum Nalanda, has been in existence since 1917 and houses a rich collection of antiquities recovered from the excavations. At present, the museum is undergoing comprehensive upgradation to enhance visitor experience and interpretation. This work is being executed by Vizara Technologies Private Limited and is in progress," she said in an e-mail interaction.
The Nalanda Mahavihara or the Nalanda University was established by Gupta dynasty ruler Kumaragupta I in around 427 AD.
It is widely considered as among the greatest centres of learning of the ancient world and was located around 90 km southeast from the present-day Patna.
The ancient university became a famous seat for the study of various branches or arts, sciences, martial arts and religion, and used to attract students from different parts of the world. It was ransacked by Turk ruler Qutbuddin Aibak’s general Bakhtiyar Khalji in 1197 AD, but was restored to some extent and continued till the 14th century.
Historian William Dalrymple recently claimed that only 10 per cent of the ancient Nalanda University site has been excavated, leaving an estimated 90 per cent still buried. He advocated for aggressive archaeological investment and the creation of a massive site museum to showcase India’s rich intellectual heritage.
“The ASI remains committed to the protection, conservation and responsible presentation of Nalanda Mahavihara, ensuring that its historical and cultural significance is preserved for future generations. Yes, the Nalanda site is yet to be explored in its entirety. We are working on it…it is a work in progress," Sahu said.
The senior official said the ASI is also undertaking major excavation work at Rakhigrahi and Agroha in Haryana as well as the Lothal dockyard in Gujarat.
Rakhigarhi is the largest Harappan site in the Indian subcontinent, spanning over 350 hectares. The ASI has unearthed evidence of an 8,000-year-old evolving metropolis complete with fortified walls, advanced drainage systems and large reservoirs at the site.
The heritage protection body has also resumed excavations at the ancient Agroha mound in Hisar in a joint effort with the Haryana State Archaeology Department. This site holds immense historical significance, traditionally known as the capital of Maharaja Agrasen and a prominent Buddhist and commercial centre.
The dockyard at Lothal is a 4,500-year-old maritime structure believed to be the world’s earliest known tidal dock. Built around 2400 BCE by the Harappan civilisation, this massive brick basin, measuring roughly 37×22 meters, connected the city to the Sabarmati River and the Arabian Sea, facilitating trade with Mesopotamia and Persia.
Fresh excavations last year have created a new mystique around Lothal. The last major dig by ASI at Lothal happened 60 years ago.
A report by ASI highlighted that Lothal is one of the very few sites where drill bits made of ernestite have been recovered. Ernestite is a unique, extremely hard material used by the Indus Valley civilisation to manufacture long, constricted cylindrical drill bits.
These specialised bits were hafted into wooden shafts and powered by hand-driven bow drills to bore tiny, precise holes into hard gemstones and beads.
“Generally, Harappan sites are well-defined and the findings are pretty clear. It is very rare to find something different or extra ordinary. But we continue to dig deeper for more revelations," Sahu added.
Responding to reports of mounds near Nalanda Mahavira being destroyed for soil, the ASI official said any reported incidents involving damage to protected or unprotected mounds in and around Nalanda are taken seriously.
“Action is initiated promptly in accordance with provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 to prevent unauthorised activities and safeguard the integrity of the site. The excavation at the site is still on and we are taking every step to ensure that the site is protected from any erroneous actions," she said.
Experts had ruled that unexplored mounds were brazenly cut with the help of excavators and other machines to procure soil for the earthwork of a road being constructed to the west of the ancient site.
They said the mounds could contain a legendary stupa in which the nails of Lord Buddha were kept.
Is the ASI collaborating with any global agency for the restoration work at Nalanda?
“At present, no collaboration with international agencies is being undertaken for restoration work at Nalanda. All conservation and development activities are being carried out by ASI in accordance with established national standards and expertise," the official added.