Unit 8: Ancient Education System of India

Some of the salient features of the ancient education system of India that made it globally renowned are listed below:

1. As our ancient education system in India evolved over the period, it focused on the holistic development of the individual, which included taking care of both the inner and the outer self.
2. The ancient system focused on the spiritual, physical, moral and intellectual aspects of life.
3. It emphasized on values such as truthfulness, humility, self-reliance, discipline and respect for all creative works.
4. Students were taught to appreciate and strike a balance between human beings and nature.
5. Teachers taught and followed the tenets of Vedas and Upanishads, which mentioned fulfilling one’s responsibilities towards self, family and society, covering all the aspects of life.

In ancient times, students from China, Korea, Tibet, Burma, Ceylon, Java, Nepal and other distant countries were attracted to India for studies as India was considered a land of wonder with a rich source of knowledge that had educational centres of higher learning. Various monasteries or viharas were set up for monks and nuns to meditate, debate and discuss with the learned to satisfy their quest for knowledge during this period.

Besides, Takshashila was also a noted centre of learning that included religious teachings of Buddhism, for several centuries. It continued to attract students from around the world until its destruction in the 5th century CE.

Education is considered ‘a way of life’ because, in ancient India, there was the existence of both formal and informal modes of education systems. Indigenous education was imparted at home, gurukuls, tols, temples, Pathshalas and chatuspadis. People in homes, villages and temples would guide young children and help them in imbibing the pious and ideal ways of life.

Holistic education refers to the development of the inner and outer self of an individual, which prepares them for life. Although the ancient education system in India was free, it was not centralized. Its foundations were mostly laid in the rich cultural traditions of India that helped in the development of the physical, spiritual, intellectual and artistic aspects of life holistically.

Takshashila was an ancient Indian city that was declared to be a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980 because it was considered an important archaeological site and a place of core learning due to its teachers’ expertise.

Being one of the oldest universities of the world, Nalanda was a centre of learning from the 5th century CE to 12th century CE. UNESCO declared the ruins of Nalanda Mahavihara a world heritage site.

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