Vikramshila University, an important centre of Buddhist learning in early medieval India, was founded by which ruler of the Pala dynasty?

Introduction / Context:
Vikramshila was one of the great Buddhist monastic universities of early medieval India, along with Nalanda and Odantapuri. Located in present day Bihar, it became a renowned centre for higher Buddhist studies and attracted scholars from many regions. Knowing which ruler established Vikramshila helps situate it within the broader history of the Pala dynasty and their patronage of Buddhism.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The institution in question is Vikramshila University. - It was an important centre of Buddhist learning. - The options are Chandra Gupta Maurya, Kanishka, Dharampala and Pulakesin II. - We assume the standard identification of its founder in early medieval history.

Concept / Approach:
The Pala rulers of eastern India were notable patrons of Mahayana Buddhism. Dharampala, the second important ruler of the Pala dynasty, is generally credited with founding Vikramshila University as part of his efforts to promote Buddhist scholarship and monastic institutions. Chandragupta Maurya belonged to a much earlier period and is associated with the Mauryan Empire, Kanishka with the Kushana dynasty and patronage of Buddhism in north western India, and Pulakesin II with the Chalukyas of the Deccan. None of these match the Pala context of Vikramshila.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that Vikramshila is located in the region historically controlled by the Pala dynasty in Bihar and Bengal. Step 2: Recall that Dharampala, a major Pala ruler, is widely credited with founding this university. Step 3: Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire centuries earlier and is linked more with figures like Chanakya and the capital at Pataliputra. Step 4: Kanishka patronised Buddhism from his base in north western India but is associated with other monasteries and councils, not Vikramshila. Step 5: Pulakesin II was a powerful king of the Chalukya dynasty in the Deccan, unrelated to Pala institutions in Bihar. Step 6: Therefore, Dharampala is the correct founder of Vikramshila University.

Verification / Alternative check:
Historical summaries of the Pala dynasty state that they supported several Buddhist universities. Nalanda received continued patronage, and Vikramshila and Odantapuri were founded or expanded under their rule. Specifically, Dharampala is frequently named as the founder of Vikramshila, which later developed into a major centre for Tantric and Mahayana Buddhist studies. This consistent attribution in secondary literature confirms that the correct answer is Dharampala.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Chandra Gupta Maurya: Founder of the Mauryan Empire, not a Pala king and not associated with Vikramshila.
Kanishka: Kushana emperor famous for patronising Buddhism and convening a Buddhist council, but not the founder of this eastern Indian university.
Pulakesin II: A Chalukya ruler in the Deccan, geographically and chronologically distant from the Pala heartland and Vikramshila.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes mix up patrons of Buddhism such as Ashoka, Kanishka and the Pala kings, assuming that any famous Buddhist patron must have founded every major monastery. Another pitfall is to ignore regional context and pick a well known name like Kanishka without checking whether his realm included Bihar. Remembering that Vikramshila and Nalanda are closely tied to the Pala dynasty and especially to Dharampala helps avoid such confusion.

Final Answer:
Vikramshila University was founded by the Pala ruler Dharampala.