Step 1: Understanding the Question:
• This question requires us to evaluate five statements about the ancient universities of Nalanda and Takshashila (Taxila).
• We need to determine the accuracy of each statement regarding their location, patronage, and famous scholars.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
• Let us analyze each statement individually:
• Statement A: Nalanda was indeed a world-famous ancient Buddhist monastery (Mahavihara) and center of higher learning, established in Bihar during the Gupta Empire in the 5th century CE. This statement is correct.
• Statement B: Chanakya (Kautilya) lived in the 4th century BCE during the Mauryan period. Since Nalanda University was founded much later (in the 5th century CE), Chanakya could not have studied or taught there. He was actually a student and teacher at Takshashila. This statement is incorrect.
• Statement C: Takshashila (located in modern Pakistan) was an ancient center of learning deeply rooted in Vedic and Brahminical traditions, teaching scriptures, grammar, law, and medicine. This statement is correct.
• Statement D: Nalanda is located near Rajgir in Bihar (Eastern India). The Narmada River flows through Central and Western India (Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat). Nalanda was not on the banks of the Narmada. This statement is incorrect.
• Statement E: Ancient Takshashila is located in the Rawalpindi district of Punjab province in modern-day Pakistan, not in Nepal. This statement is incorrect.
• Since only statements A and C are correct, the correct choice is Option (C).
Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (C).