PYRAMIDS OF NALANDA, INDIA

It is difficult to believe that India too possesses Pyramids. But as they are not known as Pyramids here hence no one is aware of their presence in the country.

NALANDA:

In the Bihar state of East India the country has one of her first Universities. Founded by the King Kumaragupta (CE 413-455) of the great Gupta Dynasty, this ancient Buddhist institution of Nalanda is believed to have housed once 10000 students and 2000 Professors. The study course included scriptures of Buddhism, Vedas, Logic, Grammar, Medicine, Astronomy, Pottery making and Metal Casting etc.

This monastic University attracted students from China, Tibet, Indonesia, Ceylon etc.The University housed classrooms, hostels for both the professors and the students, open air auditorium, monasteries, temples, tombs of deceased professors, stupas (burial tomb-shrines) and chaityas (Buddhist prayer halls). The emblematic structure of the University is the Saruputta stupa .

The University which continued to function till the 13th cent was burnt down and its students, monks and the professors were killed by the barbaric Muslim invader called Bakhtiyar Khalji.

Among these various Buddhist Temples there are a few which actually are step-pyramids built in bricks, they are Temples 13 and 14.

Temple 14 is a huge pyramid which once housed a colossal stucco image of the Buddha.Take a look at this magnanimous step-pyramid:

The Pyramid from one of the sides

The view of the Pyramid from a different angle showing the entrance.

The inner chamber.
 It once housed a colossal Buddha. The tinned shed is a new addition.

The monastic Buddhist University of Nalanda is usually publicised by the below given photograph which is the stupa of Sariputta. Sariputta lived during the Buddha and was his most devout follower. 

The stupa inside the University was built much later perhaps during 5th cent CE. What however is most astounding is the structure behind it; it is that of a pyramid. See for yourself in the below given photographs:

The iconic stupa of Sariputta, the most devout follower of the Buddha. In the foreground is the open air theater and its stepped seats are also visible.

Behind, the Sariputta stupa transforms into a Pyramid with a flat top.

Temple 13, much similar to temple 14 also housed a large stucco image of the Buddha.Take a look at this amazing pyaramidical structure of the Buddhist temple, this indeed changes the concept of temples in India:

The Temple 13.
This is another unique Buddhist temple that somewhat resembles a pyramid.

The mere look at this amazing structure of this pyramidal Buddhist temple with its grand steps in the foreground is indeed overpowering.

The Pyramids of India are different from their counterparts of the world. They are comparativley of the more recent period, rather belonging of the historical times. It is difficult to conclude firmly how Pyramid making came to India.

China has her own share of Pyramids. The concept of Pyramids was probably carried over to Nalanda by the Chinese Buddhist monks, travellers or the students.

The Buddhist Tripatakas or the accounts of Fa-Hien, Huen Tsang may come handy in unravelling this mystery.