The Great Stupa's construction began during the Mauryan period, with subsequent additions and expansions by later dynasties like the Shungas, Kushanas, and Guptas. It served as a major center of Buddhist learning and pilgrimage for centuries. The multiple layers of the stupa reflect different periods of construction, each representing a unique architectural style. The site was a part of the renowned Nalanda Mahavihara, a monastic university that attracted scholars from across Asia. The stupa complex was eventually abandoned and fell into ruin, before being rediscovered and excavated in modern times, revealing its historical significance.