Nālandā 's the name of an ancient university in Bihar, India. The site of Nalanda's located in the Indian state of Bihar, about 55 miles south east of Patna, and was a Buddhist center of learning from 427 to 1197 CE. It's been called "one of the first great universities in recorded history." Etymology The name's a Sanskrit word that means giver of knowledge, (possibly from nalam, lotus, a symbol of knowledge and da, to give). The Chinese pilgrim-monk Xuanzang gives several explanation… (More on Nalanda)