Vikramashila was a prominent Buddhist monastery and university located in present-day Bhagalpur district of Bihar state, India. It was established by King Dharmapala of Pala dynasty in the late 8th century AD, as a center of Buddhist learning and culture.
The university at Vikramashila was renowned for its curriculum, which included the study of Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhist scriptures, logic, philosophy, medicine, and the arts. Many scholars and students from across Asia visited the university, which became one of the most important centers of Buddhist learning in India.
The university was home to many notable scholars, such as the renowned Buddhist philosopher and logician, Dharmakirti. It also played an important role in the revival of Buddhism in Tibet, as many Tibetan scholars came to Vikramashila to study and learn about Buddhism.
The university remained a thriving center of learning for several centuries, but began to decline in the 12th century due to the decline of the Pala dynasty and the rise of Muslim invasions. The monastery was destroyed by Turkish invaders in the late 12th century, and remained in ruins for several centuries.