Who among the following is said to have caused wanton destruction of universities of Nalanda and Vikramshila?

Correct option is C

The destruction of the famed universities of Nalanda and Vikramshila is historically attributed to Bakhtiyar Khalji, a Turkish military general under the Ghurid Empire. In the late 12th century (circa 1193 CE), Bakhtiyar Khalji led devastating raids in Bihar and Bengal, including the sacking of the Buddhist educational centers. Nalanda and Vikramshila, two renowned centers of Buddhist learning, were looted, and their extensive libraries were set on fire. This event significantly contributed to the decline of Buddhism in India. Contemporary sources such as Minhaj-i-Siraj’s Tabaqat-i-Nasiri detail Bakhtiyar’s campaigns and his attack on these institutions. Bakhtiyar Khalji is therefore most accurately identified as the person responsible for this wanton destruction.

Information Booster:

Bakhtiyar Khalji: A general under Muhammad of Ghor, famous for the conquest of Bihar and Bengal. His destruction of Nalanda and Vikramshila is seen as a catastrophic event in Indian educational history (Ref: Minhaj-i-Siraj, Tabaqat-i-Nasiri; Satish Chandra, Medieval India).

Additional knowledge:

Qabacha : Nasiruddin Qabacha was a ruler of Multan and Uch; he was involved in conflicts with Iltutmish but not associated with the destruction of Buddhist centers.
Yalduz : Tajuddin Yalduz was a successor of Muhammad Ghori in Ghazni; he mainly fought for control in the northwest but did not attack Indian universities.
Iltutmish : Iltutmish was a ruler of the Delhi Sultanate who consolidated Muslim rule in India but was not involved in the destruction of Nalanda or Vikramshila.