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

Both Nalanda and Taxila Universities were renowned ancient institutions of higher learning. Nalanda was a formal university in the modern sense, equipped with multiple classrooms, an extensive library, dormitories for students, and accommodation for professors. In contrast, Taxila University functioned under more informal conditions, lacking lecture halls and residential quarters.

• Nalanda had modern infrastructure resembling a good university today.
• Taxila lacked formal infrastructure support and relied on teachers’ private houses for schooling.
• Taxila had no centralized system of schooling, syllabus, examinations, or degree awards.
• The education system at Taxila was flexible, tailored to individual students’ capabilities.
• Teachers at Taxila enjoyed autonomy and formed their own schools with specific rules.

Despite their differences in structure and functioning, both Taxila and Nalanda Universities were highly effective institutions for imparting knowledge. Nalanda provided a structured environment with established facilities, while Taxila operated through teacher-led schools in private settings. These universities represent distinct approaches to education in ancient times, highlighting the diversity of learning methods and the adaptability of educational systems throughout history.