Ancient Indian Education: An Inquiry into its Origin, Development, and Ideals c7.72

c7.72

After the death of Aurangzib the glory of the Mughal empire began rapidly to wane, and the efforts made by emperors or private individuals to erect and endow educational institutions became much more rare. There is record of two madrasahs having been founded at Delhi during the reign of Aurangzib’s successor, Bahādur Shāh¹ (1707-1712). One of these buildings erected by Ghāzī-ud-dīn, an officer of Aurangzib, is still in existence though no longer used as a college. It is typical of many such buildings, having in the same enclosure the college, a mosque, and the tomb of the founder.² It was closed in 1793 for want of funds. The invasion of Nādir Shāh, which took place in 1739 and resulted in the sack of Delhi, must have been a great set-back to educational progress. Among other things the Imperial Library, which had been built up by the interest of many sovereigns, was carried away by Nādir Shāh to Persia.³