Where was the Takshashila University located?
A. Patna
B. Rawalpindi
C. China
D. Bihar
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Correct Answer: B. Rawalpindi
Takshashila University, also known as Taxila University, was an ancient center of learning located near the modern city of Rawalpindi, in present-day Pakistan. This site lies in the region historically known as Gandhara, which was a major cultural and educational hub in ancient India.
Detailed Explanation:
Takshashila University, often regarded as one of the world’s earliest known universities, thrived during the period between the 6th century BCE and the 5th century CE. It was not a university in the modern sense but rather a renowned educational and cultural center where scholars, philosophers, and students gathered to share knowledge. The name “Takshashila” means “the city of cut stone,” indicating the region’s historical association with artisanship and learning.
The university offered an array of disciplines, including medicine, astronomy, mathematics, politics, military science, and philosophy. Renowned scholars, such as Chanakya (also known as Kautilya), who authored the Arthashastra, and the celebrated physician Charaka, were either associated with or taught at Takshashila.
Takshashila’s strategic location on the ancient trade route connecting India with Central Asia and the Mediterranean made it a crossroads for cultural exchange. Students and scholars from across the known world traveled to Takshashila for education.
The ruins of Takshashila are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, underscoring their historical and archaeological significance. The location, near modern Rawalpindi, highlights the ancient Indian subcontinent’s vast geographical expanse, which included areas now in Pakistan.
In summary, Takshashila was a prominent educational institution located in the region of present-day Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Its legacy as a beacon of knowledge and cross-cultural interaction remains an enduring testament to the intellectual achievements of ancient India.