RAS question
The Nalanda University was founded during the reign of which Gupta ruler?
Correct answer: (B) Kumaragupta I.
Nalanda University was founded during the reign of the Gupta ruler Kumaragupta I, whom the university's history identifies as Emperor Kumaragupta.
Explanation
Nalanda University was founded during the reign of Kumaragupta I (415-455 CE). Nalanda University's official history states that Emperor Kumaragupta's magnanimity founded Nalanda in 427 CE as the world's first residential university. Therefore, the correct Gupta ruler is Kumaragupta I, not Skandagupta, Samudragupta or Chandragupta I. Nalanda later became a major residential centre of learning, where students from across Asia studied Buddhist philosophy, logic, grammar and medicine. Its later fame is also tied to the detailed 7th-century accounts of the Chinese scholar Xuan Zang, who described Nalanda's learning, teachers and campus life.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Skandagupta is associated with fighting the Hunas, not with founding Nalanda University.
- (C) Samudragupta is known as a military conqueror, whereas the founding of Nalanda University is attributed to Kumaragupta I.
- (D) Chandragupta I began the Gupta era, but he did not found Nalanda University.
Concept
This question tests the link between Gupta-period rulers and educational institutions. It is important for RAS because Nalanda's history connects ancient India's political chronology, governance, culture, education and Buddhist intellectual traditions.