Education in Ancient India c7.s4: Valabhi

Education in Ancient India c7.s4

Language: English

Valabhi

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³ See Altekar, A History of Important Towns and Cities in Gujarat and Kathiawar, pp. 89-40 for the history of this place.

near modern Wala in Kathiawar, was the capital of an important kingdom and a port of international trade with numerous warehouses full of rarest merchandise. During the 7th century, however, it was more famous as a seat of learning. I-tsing informs us that its fame rivalled with that of Nālandā in eastern India;¹ it is however a pity that he should not have given us any details about its literary and educational activity. There were about a hundred Buddhist monasteries at the place in c. 640 A.D.²; and they accommodated six thousand monk-students. The famous Buddhist scholars, Sthiramati and Guṇamati, were the leading scholars of the University at the middle of the 7th century A.D.³ Like Nālandā, Valabhi also was not an exclusively Buddhist or monastic centre of learning. Even Brahmanas from the distant Gangetic plain used to send their sons to that place for higher education⁴. Graduates at Valabhi used to be appointed to posts in the executive line (I-tsing, p. 177); this would have been impossible if secular subjects like law, economics, accountancy and literature had not been cultivated at the place. The University was famous for its catholicity and intellectual freedom.

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² Watters, II p. 246.

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³ A copper plate grant given in 580 A.D. to a monastery founded by Sthiramati has been found; I.A., VI, p. 11.
4. अन्तर्वेद्यामभूतपूर्व वसुदत्त इह द्विजः । विष्णुदत्ताभिधानश्च पुत्रस्तस्योपपद्यत ॥ स विष्णुदत्तो वयसा पूर्णषोडशवत्सरः । गंतुं प्रवृत्ते विद्याप्राप्तये वलभीपुरम् ॥ K. S. S. Chap. XXXII, 42-43.

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We are told that the scholars from all parts of India used to assemble at Valabhi and stay there for at least two or three years to discuss ‘possible and impossible doctrines.’ They used to become famous for their wisdom when they were assured of the correctness of their opinions by the doctors at Valabhi. The names of the famous scholars of the University were written in white on its lofty gates. (*Ibid*, pp. 176-7).

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Financial support: Valabhi was a rich city; it had a hundred citizens ‘whose wealth amounted to a million’. The University used to receive considerable support from these merchant princes. The Maitraka kings who were ruling there during *c.* 480 to 775 A. D., were also great patrons of learning; they used to give direct grants for the purpose of meeting the general expenses of the University as also for strengthening its library¹. Scholars who completed their educational course at the University used to receive either appointments in government service or some financial help to enable them to start their life². This continued to be the case till *c.* 775 A. D. when the reigning dynasty succumbed to an Arab attack, which resulted in the destruction of the city and of the University.

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¹ सद्धर्मस्य पुस्तकपचयार्थम् । *I. A.*, VII., p. 67 ff.

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² I-tsing, p. 177.

Linked texts (3)

Kathāsaritsāgara — Somadeva Bhaṭṭa, Sanskrit
Indian Antiquary
Grant of Dharasena I [II] — Sanskrit