In 1200, the destruction of Nalanda University by Turkic invader Bakhtiyar Khilji marked a tragic turning point in the history of education and Buddhism in India. This great center of learning was renowned for its scholarship and attracted students from across Asia. The invasion resulted in the loss of countless manuscripts and the deaths of many monks, significantly impacting the spread of Buddhist teachings and the intellectual landscape of the region.

The destruction of Nalanda University and the persecution of Buddhists around 1200 marked a decline in Buddhist learning, reflected in later South Asian poetry. Poets lamented the loss of knowledge and cultural heritage, emphasizing the importance of preserving wisdom.