Q23.Taxila University was one of the oldest universities in the world with which were associated several renowned learned personalities of different disciplines. Its strategic location caused its fame to flourish, but unlike Nalanda, it is not considered a university in the modern sense. Discuss.

Taxila, an ancient learning center, flourished from the 7th-6th century BCE to the 5th century CE, attracting students from across Asia.

Renowned Personalities and Strategic Advantage

It was associated with renowned scholars like Chanakya (Arthashastra), Panini (Sanskrit grammar), Charaka (Ayurveda), and Jivaka (physician). Its strategic location on major trade routes, including the Silk Road, facilitated cultural and intellectual exchange, contributing to its widespread fame.

Distinction from Modern Universities and Nalanda

However, unlike modern universities, Taxila lacked centralized administration, a formal curriculum, degree system, residential facilities, or institutional funding. It functioned as a cluster of specialized teaching centers, where individual gurus taught specific subjects. This contrasts with Nalanda, a structured, monastic, residential, and centrally administered university with a formal curriculum.

Thus, while a pivotal ancient learning hub, Taxila's decentralized structure distinguishes it from the institutionalized university model seen in Nalanda and contemporary education.