Historical Geography of Ancient India c8.58

c8.58

In the Buddha’s time there were in Aṅga-Magadha several Mahāsālās or Snātaka institutions maintained on royal fiefs granted by the kings Pasenadi and Bimbisāra. According to the Mahāgovinda Suttanta seven such colleges were founded by Mahāgovinda in seven main kingdoms of his time including Aṅga with Campā as its capital. These were all theological colleges granting admission only to the Brahmin youths (māṇavakā). The numerical strength of each of them was no less than three hundred students. The high reputation of the head of the institution attracted students from various quarters and various localities.¹³