JNU hosts discussion on Abhay K’s book on Nalanda

ANI

Description New Delhi (ANI) July 10, 2025:  The School of International Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) hosted a special discussion on “Nalanda: How it Changed the World”, a book penned by diplomat and writer Abhay K. The event shed light on Nalanda Mahavihara’s role as a global centre of learning in ancient South Asia. Abhay K. shared insights into Nalanda’s contributions to mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and philosophy, and reflected on its revival under PM Narendra Modi in 2024. The discussion also traced the spread of Buddhist teachings from Nalanda to China and Mongolia. Eminent scholars, including Prof. Kaushal Kumar Sharma, underscored the university’s timeless relevance. The session concluded with an engaging Q&A and book signing.

Transcript

00:00Jawaharlal Nehru University School of International Studies hosted a special

00:09discussion on writer-diplomat Abhay K.'s book, Nalanda, How It Changed the World.

00:15The event highlighted Nalanda Mahavira's global impact as a historic center of learning,

00:22cultural exchange and intellectual legacy.

00:25First of all, a declaration that I come, or a confession, I come from Nalanda.

00:32And as a writer, I wanted to tell the true history, story of Nalanda.

00:38Because this is a subject which is very close to my heart and I could not find a single book

00:45which tells the whole story of Nalanda in an articulate and in a powerful narrative.

00:55Abhay K. highlighted Nalanda's contributions to disciplines like mathematics, astronomy,

01:02medicine, philosophy and poetry.

01:05He emphasized how its model of interdisciplinary learning, global faculty and merit-based scholarships

01:12can inspire modern institutions.

01:15He also noted the revival of Nalanda University with a new campus inaugurated by Prime Minister

01:22Narendra Modi in Rajgir in 2024.

01:25I thought that this is my duty as a writer to write a book on Nalanda.

01:32And also it happens to be when Nalanda is being revived, a new university has been set up,

01:39inaugurated last year by our Honourable Prime Minister, Modiji.

01:43So it's a time I thought it has contemporary relevance, a subject which is mysterious.

01:53You know, lots of people want to know what happened at Nalanda, who taught there,

01:57was it a university, you know, how did it decline.

02:01Well, so it began with a poem, as I am a poet, you know, so it began with two poems on Nalanda.

02:07One on the fall of Nalanda and another on the rise of it.

02:15Abhike's book also traces the spread of Buddhist philosophy from Nalanda to regions like China

02:22and Mongolia, offering insights into its origins and strategic location.

02:28The event highlighted Nalanda's role as a global learning hub in ancient South Asia.

02:36The philosophy of Buddhism has spread, and this book talks about the origin and how the

02:44locational analysis of Nalanda and the surrounding at that time the Magad, a very renowned kingdom

02:53of that period, which attracted lot of philosophers, the academicians, the scientists, the mathematicians

03:01to Nalanda University.

03:03The discussion at JNU underscored Nalanda's enduring influence on global thought and education.

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03:31And with me, we can give a great amount of time and watch.

03:33And with me, first we'll be honest with you.

03:35If you'll see it, we still don't stand-up!

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