It produced eminent scholars who were often invited by foreign countries to spread Buddhist learning, culture and religion including Atiśa and Ratnākaraśānti.

[2] Vikramashila was established by the Pala emperor Dharmapala (783 to 820 CE) in response to a supposed decline in the quality of scholarship at Nalanda.

According to Tibetan sources, five great Mahaviharas stood out: Vikramashila, the premier university of the era; Nalanda, past its prime but still illustrious, Somapura, Odantapura, and Jagaddala.

[26] In chronological order: The remains of the monastery have been partially excavated in kahalgaon Bhagalpur district, Bihar state, India, and the process is still underway.

Meticulous excavation at the site was conducted initially by B. P. Sinha of Patna University (1960–69) and subsequently by Archaeological Survey of India (1972–82).

The main stupa built for the purpose of worship is a brick structure laid in mud mortar which stands in the centre of the square monastery.

This two-terraced stupa is cruciform on plan and about 15 metres high from the ground level accessible through a flight of steps on the north side.

A large number of antiquities of different materials, unearthed from this place in the course of excavation, are displayed in the site museum maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

[citation needed] The Stupa is a sacred solid structure raised over the body remains or belongings of Buddha or a distinguished monk; or to commemorate any event associated with them.

The Vikramashila stupa built for the purpose of worship is a brick structure laid in mud mortar and stands in the centre of the square monastery.

[28] The main stupa placed over the upper terrace is accessible through a flight of steps on the north side on each of the four cardinal directions.

[citation needed] The architecture of the stupa and the terracotta plaques bear great resemblance to the Somapura Mahavihara, Paharpur (Bangladesh) which, too, was founded by the same king Dharmapala.

[citation needed] The vast majority of the manuscripts contained within Vikramashila’s library have been lost following multiple historical upheavals including the Muslim raids of East India led by Bakhtiyar Khalji.

However, some of the manuscripts of Vikramashila’s library, have been discovered in Nepal and Tibet as many of the Buddhist monks fled to these regions following the collapse of the monastery.

One of these manuscripts is currently held at the British Library references the ‘Glorious Great Monastery of the King Vikramaśīla’ (śrīmadvikramaśīladevamahāvihāra) as the place of production and contains the text of the Aṣṭasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā.

In 2015, prime minister Narendra Modi announced a Rs 500 crore package for it, while state Government had to provide around 500 acres land which was yet to be done.