Ancient Education System of India

AP/ NCERT Solutions Grade 8 Supplementary Reader

Chapter 8 Jalebis Ancient Education System of India

 Comprehension Check (Page 92)

1. Why were travellers attracted towards India?

Many travelers were drawn to India for its famous culture, wealth, religions, philosophies, art, and architecture. The ancient Indian education system, rich in knowledge and traditions, fascinated people worldwide. India was a wondrous land for travelers.

2. What were the sources of the ancient education system?

Ancient education in India came from Vedas, Brahmanas, Upanishads, and Dharmasutras. Writings by Aryabhata, Panini, Katyayana, Patanjali, and medical treatises by Charaka and Sushruta were rich sources. Learning extended to history, logic, interpretation, architecture, polity, agriculture, trade, commerce, animal husbandry, and archery.

3. What were the features of education system in ancient India?

Ancient Indian education had features like following Vedas and Upanishads, teaching duties to self, family, and society. It balanced learning and physical development, emphasizing a healthy mind and body. Education in India was practical, achievable, and supportive of life's aspects.

4. What was the role of guru in pupils’ lives?

In ancient times, Gurus and pupils worked together to learn everything. Debates were held to assess learning, and older pupils guided younger ones, like today's peer groups. Gurus and pupils lived together, helping each other daily. The goal was holistic learning, disciplined living, and realizing inner potential, often requiring students to stay away from home until their goals were achieved. The gurukul strengthened the Guru-shishya relationship while focusing on both outer and inner aspects of education in various disciplines.

Comprehension Check (Page 97)

1. Where did the nuns and monks receive their education?

The nuns and monks received their education from various monasteries or viharas which were educational centres of art and learning. These centres were mainly set up to meditate, discuss and debate with the learned to satisy their quest for knowledge during the ancient period.

2. What is Panini known for?

Panini, an ancient Indian scholar, was a language and grammar expert. He wrote the great work "Ashtadhyayi" and is known as the "Father of Linguistics." His detailed scientific theory covered phonetics, morphology, and phonology, making him a revered figure in ancient India.

3. Which university did Xuan Zang and I-Qing study at?

The Chinese scholars I-Qing and Xuan Zang visited Nalanda in the 7th century CE. When Xuan Zang visited it, Nalanda was called Nala, which was a centre of higher learning in various subjects.

4. Which subject did Xuan Zang study in India?

Xuan Zang studied Yogashastra, grammar, logic and Sanskrit during his time at the Nalanda University in India.

5. How did society help in the education of the students?

In ancient times, knowledge was sacred, and no fees were charged for it. The highest form of donation was contributions to education from wealthy individuals. Rich merchants, parents, and society provided financial support, along with gifts of buildings and land to universities like Valabhi, Vikramshila, and Jagaddala.

Exercise (Page 97)

Discuss the following questions in small groups and write your answers.

1. Which salient features of the ancient education system of India made it globally renowned?

Ancient Indian education was globally renowned for holistic development, considering both inner and outer selves. It addressed spiritual, physical, moral, and intellectual aspects, emphasizing values like truthfulness, humility, self-reliance, discipline, and respect for creativity. Students learned to balance human-nature relationships, guided by the Vedas and Upanishads' principles, covering all aspects of life.

2. Why do you think students from other countries came to India to study at that time?

In ancient times, students from distant lands like China, Korea, Tibet, Burma, Ceylon, Java, and Nepal came to India for its rich knowledge and higher learning centers. Monasteries provided spaces for meditation, debates, and discussions. Takshashila, a renowned centre, attracted global students until its destruction in the 5th century CE.

3. Why is education considered ‘a way of life’?

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.

4. What do you understand by holistic education?

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.

5.Why do you think Takshashila and Nalanda have been declared heritage sites?

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