---
title: "Why Nalanda University destroyed?"  
description: "A concise explanation about the reason behind why Nalanda University was destroyed"  
author: "Anjita D."  
published: 2023-11-30  
canonical: https://yourviews.mindstick.com/story/3412/why-nalanda-university-destroyed  
category: "education, history"  
tags: ["Nalanda University", "oldest university", "education", "facts", "general knowledge"]  
reading_time: 1 minute  

---

# Why Nalanda University destroyed?

![Why Nalanda University destroyed](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/729a5a83-a7fc-42cd-a1e7-9f4b536329af/images/c3eb97ee-4125-4f8c-a2c7-2da78e8186d0.jpeg) ![Why Nalanda University destroyed](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/729a5a83-a7fc-42cd-a1e7-9f4b536329af/images/c3eb97ee-4125-4f8c-a2c7-2da78e8186d0.jpeg) Throughout its history, Nalanda University, a renowned centre of learning in ancient India, has been destroyed numerous times. ![Why Nalanda University destroyed](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/729a5a83-a7fc-42cd-a1e7-9f4b536329af/images/46f62669-2391-4d4f-a7bb-2a759fbec7bf.jpeg) First destruction around 455-467 AD, during Emperor Skandagupta's reign, Hunas ruler Mihirakula destroyed Nalanda due to his hate towards Buddhism. ![Why Nalanda University destroyed](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/729a5a83-a7fc-42cd-a1e7-9f4b536329af/images/9a012abd-bf55-4ddc-94ae-4f8b556ab5e5.jpeg) In the 11th century AD, a second destruction occurred due to royal decline, internal conflicts, Hinduism's rise, and Buddhism's gradual decline. ![Why Nalanda University destroyed](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/729a5a83-a7fc-42cd-a1e7-9f4b536329af/images/1976b710-d9e9-4d19-827f-3980f70c8eb3.jpeg) In 1193 AD, Turko-Afghan general Bakhtiyar Khilji led a devastating raid on Nalanda, resulting in the 3rd destruction of the university. ![Why Nalanda University destroyed](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/729a5a83-a7fc-42cd-a1e7-9f4b536329af/images/c8b9ee0f-a5ec-4ee4-b032-3fa99f879540.jpeg) Khilji's invasion, driven by religious zeal and wealth theft, led to the murder of intellectuals, burning of libraries, and the university's collapse.

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Original Source: https://yourviews.mindstick.com/story/3412/why-nalanda-university-destroyed

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