Introduction: The Lost Rival to a Famous Legend
When we think of the great ancient universities of India, the legendary name of Nalanda immediately comes to mind—a beacon of Buddhist learning that attracted scholars from across Asia. For centuries, its fame has overshadowed its contemporaries. But in western India, on the Saurashtra peninsula of Gujarat, a rival metropolis flourished that was, in its time, just as renowned: the lost city of Vallabhi.
From the 5th to the 8th centuries CE, Vallabhi served as the powerful capital of the Maitraka Dynasty. It was more than just a political seat; it was a different kind of powerhouse—a bustling hub of international commerce, a center for multiple faiths, and a world-class university that thrived as a unique union of academy and fortress. Lost to history after its collapse and buried under layers of earth, the city faded from memory.
Now, a closer look at historical records and startlingly recent discoveries are revealing the full story of this forgotten capital. The truths being unearthed are painting a picture of a city far more complex and surprising than previously imagined. Here are four incredible facts about the lost city of Vallabhi.
1. It was a world-class university that taught more than just religion.
While Vallabhi was a major center for Buddhist philosophy, its curriculum was remarkably practical, designed to prepare graduates for the real world. The 7th-century Chinese pilgrim Yijing considered Vallabhi one of the two premier learning institutions in the land, on par with Nalanda. It boasted esteemed scholars like Gunamati and Sthiramati, whose philosophical prowess was praised by travelers like Xuanzang.
Unlike many monastic universities, Vallabhi’s curriculum was a direct response to the needs of its time. The Maitraka Dynasty, founded around 475 CE after the fall of the Gupta Empire, required skilled administrators to build a new kingdom. The university provided them by offering a comprehensive education in the art of governance and commerce. Its subjects included:
• Niti (Political Science and Statesmanship)
• Varta (Business and Agriculture)
• Administration
• Law
• Economics and Accountancy
This focus meant that graduates were highly sought after for positions in royal service. The university’s most famous patron, King Siladitya I, was himself celebrated by Xuanzang as:
“a monarch of great administrative ability and of rare kindness and compassion”
Vallabhi reveals a sophisticated worldview where intellectual training was deeply integrated with the practical needs of statecraft in a fragmented, post-imperial India.
2. It was an academy wrapped in a fortress.
One of the most unique aspects of Vallabhi is its urban layout. In most famous ancient Buddhist sites like Nalanda or Sarnath, monasteries and universities were built outside the main settlements. Vallabhi did the exact opposite.
Archaeological investigations reveal that its numerous monastic complexes were built within the city’s fortified walls. The capital was a formidable stronghold, enclosed by massive walls and using two branches of the Ghelo River as natural, protective moats. This highly defensible layout appears to have been a deliberate strategic choice. In an era of shifting political powers and facing external threats, including the cumulative effects of Arab invasions in the 8th century that led to its collapse, security was paramount. This decision to integrate religious and academic institutions into a military and political center suggests a unique fusion of power, with all aspects of Maitraka society protected together within a single, secure space.
3. It was the site of a pivotal moment in Jain history.
Long before it reached its peak as a Buddhist hub, Vallabhi hosted a monumentally important event for another of India’s great religions: Jainism. Around 453-454 CE, under the presidency of the revered Devardhigani Kshamashramana, the Second Jain Council convened in the city.
The council’s single greatest achievement was the formal codification of the Svetambara Jain scriptures, known as the Agamas. Fearing that centuries of sacred knowledge passed down solely through oral tradition could be lost, the council undertook the monumental task of weaving this wisdom into written scripture, saving it from the mists of time.
This act not only preserved the scriptural foundation of Svetambara Jainism for all future generations but also helped formalize the doctrinal distinctions between it and the Digambara sect. That this pivotal event took place in Vallabhi highlights the city’s importance as a tolerant, pan-Indian religious center.
4. A global seaport vanished 30 kilometers from the sea.
Perhaps the most startling fact about Vallabhi is its location. Today, the ruins lie approximately 30 kilometers inland from the Gulf of Khambhat. Yet, during its heyday, Vallabhi was a thriving international seaport.
Geomorphological studies show the city was originally built on a tidal creek connected directly to the sea. Over centuries, this vital waterway silted up. The very coastline that gave Vallabhi its power turned its back on the city, leaving it stranded deep inland as the shore receded to its modern position four kilometers away.
The definitive proof of its global connections lies in the artifacts unearthed there. Archaeologists have discovered fragments of Chinese porcelain and distinctive glazed wares of Iranian origin, tangible evidence of a trade network that stretched from East Asia to the Middle East. This dramatic environmental transformation is a powerful reminder of how completely nature can erase a great city’s primary source of wealth and connection to the world.
Conclusion: A Lost City, Rediscovered
Vallabhi was a multifaceted powerhouse: a center for practical education, an academy inside a fortress, and a commercial gateway to the world. Crucially, it was a rare hub of religious pluralism, where the scriptural foundation of Jainism was secured, a world-class Buddhist university flourished, and royal patronage was extended to Hindu temples. Its story was nearly lost, written over by time and buried by earth.
While much of the ancient capital remains unexcavated, its secrets are now coming to light with breathtaking speed. In a groundbreaking study published in 2024, researchers Arya S Pradeep and MB Rajani of NIAS, Bengaluru, used satellite remote sensing to peel back the layers of time, revealing the hidden outlines of monasteries and fortifications. The story of Vallabhi is actively unfolding right now. This leaves us with a compelling thought: If modern satellites can uncover a lost metropolis like Vallabhi, how many other forgotten hubs of wisdom and commerce lie waiting, not for a spade, but for the right way of seeing?