Q. Which Turkish general destroyed the universities of Nalanda and Vikramsila?
(a) Qutubuddin Aibek
(b) Baktiyar Khalji
(c) Ali Mardan Khalji
(d) Tajuddin Yalduz
Ans: (b) Baktiyar Khalji
Explanation:
The Turkish general who is believed to have destroyed the universities of Nalanda and Vikramshila is (b) Bakhtiyar Khalji.
Bakhtiyar Khalji was a Turkish military general who served under the Delhi Sultanate in the 12th century. In 1193 CE, he led an expedition into the region of Bihar in present-day India. During this campaign, Bakhtiyar Khalji is said to have attacked and destroyed the renowned Buddhist monastic institutions of Nalanda and Vikramshila.
Nalanda University, located near modern-day Rajgir, was a prominent center of learning in ancient India, attracting scholars and students from across the world. Similarly, Vikramshila University, located near modern-day Bhagalpur, was another important center of Buddhist education.
The destruction of Nalanda and Vikramshila had a significant impact on the decline of Buddhist learning and influence in the region. It marked a significant event in the history of medieval India.
Therefore, the correct answer is (b) Bakhtiyar Khalji.
