The Oldest University of the World: Julian Monastery and the University
Julian is one of the important sites of the taxilla city which is also known as Julian Buddhist Monastery and oldest university date back to fifth century BC.
When It comes to know the oldest university of the world, we see the name of University of Bologna (founded 1088 AD) but this name is a little bit confusing as we are having two terminologies, 1. Oldest University of the World and 2. Oldest university of the world still in operation.
Yes, when we study the oldest university of the world still in operation we found the name of University of Bologna (founded 1088 AD) but as per UNESCO list, there is The University of Al-Qarawiyyin, Fes, Morocco (founded 859 AD) but we someone who is looking of the oldest university, should know the oldest university ruined on the earth which is still not in operation but is known as the oldest university of the world on earth.
Again yes, you should not look in the EU or Western world as when we talk about oldest we should go to BC calendar not the AD calendar and in BC calendar there is no Europe or America but you have to find the oldest highly advanced civilization of the earth.
Gandhāra was an ancient state in the northwest portion of the Indian subcontinent, present-day Pakistan from 1500 BC to 535 AD located on the present day ruined city of Taxilla. City of Taxilla is the whole city on the List of UNESCO with more than 18 listed sites which are found in the form of ruins. Julian is one of the important sites of the taxilla city which is also known as Julian Buddhist Monastery date back to fifth century BC.
This Monastery and the College are located on top of a hill with many remarkable stupas. As this Julian was established in 5th Century BC as a prestigious site of learning and research in Buddhism, today it is known as the oldest university of the world ruined today.
The Jaulian monastery had been constructed as a two-level building that contained 28 students’ rooms on the first floor, and 28 more on the second floor. The two levels are connected by stone stairs which are still preserved. Some of the rooms contain preserved statues of the Buddha. Each room had a niche to hold lamps, and a window offering a source of fresh air and natural light. The windows were designed to be narrower at the outer edge, of and larger at the inner edge in order guard against wild animals. The rooms were plastered and decorated with plasterwork and paintings.
Jaulian’s monastery formed part of what some consider to be the world’s oldest university. Students came to study and consult texts from throughout the Indian subcontinent and as far as Central Asia, Southeast Asia and China. Although, the important antiques have been shifted from Jaulian to Taxila Museum, however, importance of this place is very much for the visitors.
Pakistan because of its richness in culture, history, science and technology and economy made you more loving it as you explore it.
Written & Edited by:
Dr. Muhammad Irfan-Maqsood, Ph.D.
Chief Editor