---
title: Stairway, Nalanda
author: Anandajoti
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4154/stairway-nalanda/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Stairway, Nalanda
_Authored by Anandajoti_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/4154.jpg)
## Image Caption
Nalanda was one of the oldest universities of the world and a revered center of learning. It was located in [Magadha](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magadha_Kingdom/), modern day Bihar, [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/) and was operational between c. 300-1200 CE. It received patronage from the [Gupta Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gupta_Empire/) and also King Harshavardhana (c. 590–647 CE). The university’s library consisted of three large buildings, namely Ratnasagara ("Ocean of Jewels"), Ratnodadhi ("Sea of Jewels") and Ratnaranjaka ("Adorned with Jewels"). Ratnodadhi was a nine storey high edifice and housed priceless manuscripts of [Buddhist](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/) and Brahmanical studies. Apart from the locals, students from Tibet, [China](https://www.worldhistory.org/china/), Central Asia, and [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/) used to visit the place to quench their thirst for knowledge. Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang, 602–664 CE) and Yijing (I Tsing, 635–713 CE) also visited the Nalanda spent years there.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Anandajoti. (2015, October 27). Stairway, Nalanda. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Anandajoti. "Stairway, Nalanda." *World History Encyclopedia*, October 27, 2015. .
### MLA
Anandajoti. "Stairway, Nalanda." *World History Encyclopedia*, 27 Oct 2015, .
## License & Copyright
[](https://www.flickr.com/photos/anandajoti/9250720247/in/album-72157634571368953/)This image was first published on [Flickr](http://www.flickr.com). [Original image](https://www.flickr.com/photos/anandajoti/9250720247/in/album-72157634571368953/) by [**Anandajoti**](https://www.flickr.com/photos/anandajoti/9250720247/in/album-72157634571368953/). Submitted by [Dola RC](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/dolaraic/ "User Page: Dola RC"), published on 27 October 2015. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0deed.en). This license lets others distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon your work, even commercially, as long as they credit you for the original creation. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.