The largest and most well-known educational system in the world is found in India. During the ancient era, there were five large, well-known universities, such as Takshashila, Nalanda, Vallabhi, etc., that concentrated on the overall development of students. In the mediaeval era, there were two institutions, madrasas and maqtabas, that were primarily concerned with developing future leaders and religious leaders among their students.
There are well-known independent educational institutions in contemporary education, such as the internationally renowned IITs and IIMs. In the past, children received an education that included topics like politics, economics, psychology, physical education, and moral education while living away from their parents.
A synopsis of India’s educational past:
The earliest educational system in India was called the Gurukul. Around 5000 BC, there was a residential education system in which the teacher, or guru, and learner, or shishya, lived together in the ashram. This made it possible for an emotional connection to form before education was transferred. The ancient Sanskrit language was the means of communication.
The following were the goals of education for Gurukul students:
Obtaining the greatest knowledge possible was the ultimate objective of the Gurukul educational system, which attempted to assist students in understanding Brahma and the realm beyond sensuous pleasures in order to attain immortality.
Students acquired the willpower required to have outstanding character by studying the Vedas, or old literature. They were subsequently able to adopt a more positive outlook on life and a more sympathetic attitude towards other people as a result of their willpower.
It was formerly believed that developing introversion and turning inward with the senses was the key to living a fulfilled existence. Because of this, students at the Gurukul were able to gain knowledge about the inner workings of the mind and how people react and behave while doing various activities.
Through physical, mental, and emotional training, the learner was inspired to speak only the truth and refrain from dishonesty. This was thought to be the pinnacle of human morality. They were also taught to believe that giving to charity projects makes one a better social being.
Yagyas and other ancient texts suggest that the best way to promote spiritual development is via introversion. In order to attain self-awareness and self-realisation, the student therefore set aside some time for introspection and social distancing.
One day a year, students feed visitors or onlookers. This act was seen as a sacrifice to another that was comparable to one’s duties under society and religion.
India’s Educational System’s Development in Ancient Times:
- As the literary sources attest, India’s educational system has evolved from the Indus Valley period.
- According to Vedic literature like the Smriti and Upanishad in the form of the Gurukula system, education started during the Vedic period. They imparted practical knowledge on topics like hospitality, elder respect, self-control, self-discipline, and moral principles. This was done to foster both physical and moral character development. Students were not charged any fees. The teacher’s sole source of service was Gurudakshina. The facilities were built as Ashramas in the forest, and students travelled there to get education from far-off places. Sage Valmiki and Rishi Kanva’s Gurukul, built in the sixth century AD, were two significant Gurukuls during the Vedic era.
- When Buddha and Mahavira became itinerant instructors, reaching out to pupils to impart social precepts such as not hurting animals, not participating in adultery, etc., education saw little modifications.
- There was also a private school system where wealthy merchants received their education.
- Since knowledge was linked to education during the Mauryan era, teachers chose their pupils based on their mental capacities, thereby altering the educational system.
- With the opening of colleges and universities during the Gupta era, the general public began to become more interested in education. During the Gupta era, colleges like Nalanda University, Taxila University, and others rose to prominence and exclusively accepted male students. Women were much less likely than males to get an education, even though it was not denied.
- Hieun Tsang, who attended Nalanda for his education, speaks of a unique period in Indian education.
- The Gupta educational pattern persisted with Harsha.
- Morality and discipline are two areas where the education system has greatly enhanced human existence.
When could a child begin receiving education?
A child under the Vedic system began receiving an education at the age of five. The Vidyarambha event, which included first-time alphabet learning and devotion to Goddess Saraswati, was held to commemorate this beginning. The kids had to perform another ritual called Upanayana when they moved out of their parent’s house and into a teacher’s ashram.
A kid in the Buddhist system began receiving instruction at the age of eight via a ritual known as Pabbajja. This initiation event was open to males from all castes, unlike the Vedic system. The young student would then move out of his parent’s house and live in a monastery under the supervision of his instructor.
The Time Spent Studying and Receiving Education:
It takes twelve years to master one Veda. Thus, the length of the study session varied according to how many disciplines the student wished to learn. Up to 48 years might pass throughout the education. Men needed to be skilled in one of the arts to support themselves.
There were around 64 art genres recognised by the ancient Indian educational system, including dance, music, jewellery-making, sculpting, agriculture, and medicinal disciplines. Men had to work as trainees under a master to achieve skills to get vocational training in a certain art form. They received free education, and the master also provided for them food and lodging.
Teaching Methods:
Even though group study was popular at the time, instructors also gave one-on-one instruction to each student according to their skills and aptitudes. The fundamental method of teaching was oral recitation, which was performed via a variety of techniques including narrative, memorization, critical analysis, practical study, and introspection (listening, contemplating, and intense contemplation).
In Summary:
In the ancient time acquiring education was very easy for every student. Education of the children started from home at an early age and their mothers and fathers were their teachers. Primary goal of the education was acquiring moral education, physical education, religion, politics, vedas, and vocational training. Oral recitation method was practised for providing education.
