"Nalanda is a symbol of India's academic heritage and vibrant cultural exchange". Elucidate with specific references to foreign travelers' accounts.

Nalanda was an educational centre of Learning in India founded by Gupta ruler Kumargupta around 4-5th century. It was a world famous university which attracted students from around the globe. Nalanda was an epicentre of academia with Chinese traveller Fa-Hien writing about the vigorous admission tests and Xuan-Zang (Huen Tsang) writing about the various schools of philosophy taught. The centre was secular in nature where all branches of Buddhism, Mahayana, Hinayana & Vajrayana were studied, as told by traveller I-tsing. Not only as a centre, but also a hub of culture and evident in Nalanda with travel accounts from visitors of Suvarnabhumi (Indonesia), Thailand etc. Knowledge about Chinese empire mostly comes from travellers who come there. It was also a hub for travellers from modern day Persia. Hence, the nalanda was focused of contemporary universities to assist so, it was called a repository of eastern knowledge. Decline mentioned during fall of Gupta empire (Hun invasion). Revival: Recently Bihar and Union govt worked to reopen the Nalanda.