Who among the following was the founder of ‘Vikramshila Vishwavidyalaya’?

Key Points

• Vikramshila Vishwavidyalaya was founded by Dharmapala, a ruler of the Pala dynasty in ancient India.
• Dharmapala was a significant patron of Buddhism and established Vikramshila as a major center of Buddhist learning in the late 8th or early 9th century.
• The university was renowned for its specialized training in Buddhist teachings, particularly the Vajrayana tradition.
• Vikramshila was one of the two most important centers of Buddhist learning in India during its time, the other being Nalanda.

Additional Information

• Dharmapala ruled during the 8th century and was a key figure in the establishment of several educational institutions in ancient India.
• Under his reign, the Pala dynasty saw a cultural and educational renaissance, with significant contributions to art, architecture, and learning.
• The ruins of Vikramshila University are located in the Bhagalpur district of Bihar, India.
• Vikramshila University was destroyed during the invasions of Bakhtiyar Khilji in the late 12th century, similar to the fate of Nalanda University.