Ancient Education System of India
Comprehension Check
Part 1
Question 1: Why were travellers attracted towards India?
Answer: During ancient times, the fame of Indian culture, wealth, religion, philosophies, art, architecture, etc. had spread to all corners of the world. Moreover, the Indian education system was also regarded as among the best in the world. Due to this, travelers from around the world were attracted towards India.
Question2: What were the sources of the ancient education system?
Answer: Following is the list of various sources of the ancient education system in India:
- Vedas (वेद), Brahmanas (ब्राह्मण), Upanishads (उपनिषद) and Dharmasutras (धर्मसूत्र)
- Writings of Aryabhata (आर्यभट्ट), Panini (पाणिनी), Katyayana (कात्यायन), Patanjali (पातंजली)
- Medical treatises of Charaka (चरक)and Sushruta (सूश्रुत)
Question 3: What were the features of education system in ancient India?
Answer: Following are the features of education system in ancient India:
- There was difference between Shastras (शास्त्र) and Kavyas (काव्य). Shastra means learned discipline, while kavyas means imaginative and creative literature.
- Sources of learning were drawn from various disciplines, like disciplines such as Itihas (इतिहास history), Anviksiki (आंविक्षिकी logic), Mimamsa (मीमांसा interpretation) Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र architecture), Arthashastra (अर्थशास्त्र polity), Varta (वर्त agriculture, trade, commerce, animal husbandry) and Dhanurvidya (धनुर्विद्या archery)
- Physical education was an important aspect of learning
- Pupil's learning was assessed through learned debates, called Shastrartha (शास्त्रार्थ)
Question 4: What was the role of guru in pupils' lives?
Answer: The guru had an all encompassing role to play in pupils' life, especially in the gurukul (गुरुकुल). A gurukul can be compared the modern day boarding school. Throughout the tenure of education, a student lived in gurukul, away from his parents. So, a guru was more than a teacher. He was a friend, guardian, spiritual guide and moral torchbearer for the student.
Comprehension Check
Part 2
Question 1: Where did nuns and monks receive their education?
Answer: Nuns and monks received their education at monasteries or viharas (विहार).
Question 2: What is Panini known for?
Answer: Panini is known for his work on grammar. He authored the famous book Ashtadhyayi (अष्टाध्यायी) , a treatise on grammar and language.
Question 3: Which university did Xuan Zang and I-Quing study at?
Answer: Nalanda (नालंदा) University
Question 4: Which subject did Xuan Zang study in India?
Answer: Xuan Zang studies yogashashtra (योगशास्त्र) in India.
Question 5: How did society help in the education of the students?
Answer: Knowledge was considered sacred and no fee was charged for education. People considered contribution towards education as the highest form of donation. Rich merchants and parents provided financial support. Many people gifted buildings for educational institutions. Some people gifted land for establishment of gurukul.