Question

The 'Nalanda University' was founded during the regime of

• A. Kumara Gupta
• B. Skanda Gupta
• C. Harshavardhana
• D. Krishna Gupta

Hint:

Knowledge of key historical periods and the rulers associated with significant ancient institutions is important for history questions.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Identify the subject of the question.
The question asks about the ruler during whose reign the ancient Nalanda University was founded.

Step 2: Recall or research the historical foundation of Nalanda University.
Nalanda was a renowned Buddhist monastery and a great center of learning in ancient Magadha (modern-day Bihar), India. Historical evidence, particularly from the accounts of Chinese pilgrims like Xuanzang, indicates its establishment during the Gupta period.

Step 3: Identify the specific ruler associated with its founding.
According to historical and archaeological findings, the famous Nalanda Mahavihara (University) was founded in the 5th century CE, during the reign of the Gupta emperor Kumaragupta I.

Step 4: Evaluate the given options.
(1) Kumara Gupta: Kumaragupta I (c. 415–455 CE) is widely credited with founding Nalanda University.
(2) Skanda Gupta: Skandagupta (c. 455–467 CE) was a later Gupta emperor who continued to patronize Nalanda, but he did not found it.
(3) Harshavardhana: Harshavardhana (c. 590–647 CE) was a powerful emperor who greatly patronized Nalanda and made significant endowments to it, but he ruled much later than its founding.
(4) Krishna Gupta: Krishna Gupta was an early Gupta ruler, but not the one associated with the founding of Nalanda.

Step 5: Conclude the correct ruler.
Therefore, Nalanda University was founded during the regime of Kumara Gupta I.