# Vikramaśīla University

> building in India

**Wikidata**: [Q1634624](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1634624)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikramashila)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/vikramasila-university

## Summary
Vikramaśīla University was an ancient mahavihara (Buddhist monastery and university) located in Antichak, Bhagalpur district, India. It is now an archaeological site maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India and designated as a Monument of National Importance.

## Key Facts
- Located in Antichak, Bhagalpur district, India (coordinates: 25.3244°N, 87.2867°E)
- Instance of university, mahavihara, archaeological site, and Tibetan Buddhist monastery
- Maintained by Archaeological Survey of India, Patna circle
- Designated as a Monument of National Importance
- Archaeological Survey of India monument ID: N-BR-2
- Also known as Vikramshila University, chaoxing si/chaoyan si, Vikramasila, and other variations
- Has BDRC resource ID: G2CN569
- Image available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Vikramshila-7.jpg
- Wikipedia article titled "Vikramashila" available in multiple languages

## FAQs
### Q: Where is Vikramaśīla University located?
A: Vikramaśīla University is located in Antichak, Bhagalpur district, India, at coordinates 25.3244°N, 87.2867°E.

### Q: What is the current status of Vikramaśīla University?
A: Vikramaśīla University is now an archaeological site maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, Patna circle, and is designated as a Monument of National Importance.

### Q: What types of institutions was Vikramaśīla University?
A: Vikramaśīla University was a mahavihara (Buddhist monastery and university) and also functioned as a Tibetan Buddhist monastery and archaeological site.

### Q: What are some alternative names for Vikramaśīla University?
A: Vikramaśīla University is also known as Vikramshila University, chaoxing si/chaoyan si, Vikramashila, Vikramasila, Vikramashila-Universität, Vikramaśīla Mahavihara, and various other variations in different languages.

## Why It Matters
Vikramaśīla University represents a significant historical and cultural site of ancient Indian Buddhist learning. As one of the most important mahaviharas of the Pala dynasty, it played a crucial role in the development of Buddhist education and scholarship in India and beyond. The institution's specialization in tantric Buddhism made it a unique center for advanced studies in Buddhist philosophy, attracting scholars from across Asia. Its archaeological remains provide valuable insights into medieval Indian education systems and Buddhist monastic architecture. The site's designation as a Monument of National Importance highlights its cultural and historical value to India's heritage.

## Notable For
- Specialized center for tantric Buddhist studies and meditation
- One of the most important mahaviharas of the Pala dynasty period
- Attracted international scholars and pilgrims across Asia
- Notable for its unique architectural design among Buddhist universities
- Associated with BDRC resource ID G2CN569 for Buddhist digital library documentation

## Body
### Location and Current Status
Vikramaśīla University is located in Antichak, Bhagalpur district, India at coordinates 25.3244°N, 87.2867°E. The site is currently maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, Patna circle, and is designated as a Monument of National Importance with monument ID N-BR-2.

### Historical and Cultural Significance
Vikramaśīla University was an ancient mahavihara (Buddhist monastery and university) that served as an important center for learning during the Pala dynasty. It is also classified as a Tibetan Buddhist monastery, indicating its specialized role in Buddhist traditions. The university is known for its focus on tantric Buddhism and advanced philosophical studies.

### Documentation and Recognition
The institution is well-documented across multiple platforms:
- Wikipedia article titled "Vikramashila" available in languages including anp, bn, cs, de, en, et, fr, hi, ja
- BDRC resource ID: G2CN569
- Freebase ID: /m/05l01b
- Google Knowledge Graph ID: /g/1223q9j_
- Included in Wikimedia project "Wiki Loves Monuments in India"

### Visual Documentation
Photographic documentation of Vikramaśīla University is available through Wikimedia Commons at the URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Vikramshila-7.jpg, with the Commons category "Vikramashila".

### Nomenclature and Aliases
Vikramaśīla University is known by multiple names including:
- Vikramshila University
- Chaoxing si/Chaoyan si
- Vikramashila
- Vikramasila
- Vikramashila-Universität
- Vikramaśīla Mahavihara
- Vikramaśīla
- Vikramasīla Mahavihara
- Japanese names: ヴィクラマシーラ大僧院 and ヴィクラマシーラ僧院

## References

1. [Source](https://asi.nic.in/alphabetical-list-of-monuments-bihar/)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013