Abhay K has written a wonderfully accessible introduction to early India's most important centre of philosophy and learning, the great monastery-university of Nalanda. Setting his story within a seductively-sketched panorama of the golden age of early Buddhism, Abhay celebrates Nalanda's dazzling libraries, scholars, teachings, doctrines and finally, its global influence. Sympathetic, scholarly and poetic, Abhay K's Nalanda fills an important gap and deserves to be widely read. -- William Dalrymple

Even as he resurrects Nalanda from the embers of history, Abhay K. does not simply eulogise it; instead, he transforms this wellspring of scholastic endeavour into an emblem of humankind’s quest for knowledge. In my view, Abhay K.’s Nalanda, stunning and scholarly, is an outstanding starting point. -- Shashi Tharoor, Writer and Member of Parliament

Abhay K’s evocative telling brings the layered history of Nalanda to life. The hallowed centre of learning for over a millennium, the Mahavihara first nurtured the idea of the university, and left an indelible imprint on global thought. -- Namita Gokhale, Writer and Festival Director, Jaipur Literature Festival

Son of the soil, Abhay K., tells the story of Nalanda Mahavihara’s revered scholars, groundbreaking philosophies, and the vibrant life within the world’s first residential university. He traces how it shaped the intellectual landscape of its era, influencing generations of thinkers and spiritual leaders. -- Rana Safvi, Writer and historian

For 700 years, Nalanda was considered the greatest university globally. Attracting students and grants from around the world, it would have been the envy of a modern Ivy League. In his simple and readable style, Abhay K. puts together what is known about this remarkable institution from a range of sources. -- Sanjiv Sanyal, Writer and Economist