Education system in ancient india | What was unique about ancient Indian education?

Ancient Indian civilization is one of the most important civilizations in the world. The foundation of India's glorious cultural heritage and progress was the era of education. Education was accorded utmost importance in ancient India, whose primary objective was the development of the personality of the individual. The need for education was always accepted for the physical and spiritual upliftment and the duly fulfilling of various responsibilities.

Right from the Vedic era, it was considered as a source of light which illuminates the various areas of human life and gives it the right directions. In the all-round development of the personality, the objective of his character development and spiritual development was the foremost. Ancient Indian education established such a high-class ideal not only in our country, but in the whole world, which not only enhanced the personality of the person, but also raised the name of the entire country and society.

The ancient education system played its sting throughout the world. This ancient education system was preserved for more than four thousand years, it was publicized and amended from time to time.

Rigvedic Education :

The main course of education during the Rigvedic period was the study of Vedic literature. In addition to the sacred Vedic elevations, history, Puranas and Narasasi gathas and astronomy, geometry, chhandrasha etc. were also subjects of study. Moral ideals have been emphasized the most during this period. The primary purpose of the education of this era was to attain salvation by attaining Brahm Gyan. The purpose of education was also the transfer of civilization and culture.

Gurus used to give oral education to students. The recitation of Vedic mantras was the medium of learning. Students also received introspection from this. Special attention was paid to the purity of character in the Rigveda period. Untruths, sins and wrongful conduct were considered disgusting. The mainstay was the attainment of Bhakti, Dharma, Artha and Moksha.

Vedic Education :

In the Vedic era, the Brahmin texts were written and they became the subjects of education. In the era of Upanishads and sutras, the emphasis was on the pure pronunciation of Vedic mantras. Among the Upanishads, Brahmavidya, Devavidya, Geology, Nakshatravidya, Logics and speaking truth were given important places. That is why the methods of Padpath, Karmpath, Jatapath, Ghanpath etc. were introduced. In order to simplify the study of Vedic literature, six Vedangas were composed - education, kalpa, grammar nirukta, chhanda and astrology.

In this education system of self-study and meditation, students often gave admission to Brahmacharya Ashram after Guru / Acharya student after Upanayan rites. In this way he became a Dwij. After entering the ashram, the student was required to tie a mekhala. Had to have big hair. He used to gather samidha for the yajna, and also performed alms. Brahmachari Vidyarthi had to earn labor by doing labor and meditation.

The Guru was a learned scholar in a subject like knowledge-science. The Guru tried to bring the student on the path of truth in every way; Because the Guru was responsible for the sins of the disciples. He was a pioneer of society. Whose say no king even avoided it. The disciples considered the Guru as God and they obeyed all the commandments. The aim of education of this era was to gain reverence, intelligence, knowledge, wealth, age and immortality.

Sutrakalin Education :

In this era, the study of Vedic literature was reduced and in its place other subjects were included in the curriculum. Philosophy, Theology, Epics (Ramayana and Mahabharata). Progress was made in the fields of grammar, astronomy, sculpture, medical, shipbuilding art. Education of various trades and crafts was also arranged. Coordination was established in the education of religious and temporal subjects.

The syllabus education curriculum included four Vedas, six Vedangs, 14 Vidhans, 18 crafts, 64 arts, etc. The 14 genres refer to the four Vedas, 6 Vedanga, theology, Purana, epistemology and logic. Graduates of this era were proficient in Vedas and 18 crafts.

(1) singing, (2) playing, (3) painting, (4) counting, (5) dancing, (6) counting, (7) yantra, (8) sculpture, (9) agriculture, (10) animal husbandry, (11) Commerce, (12) Medicine, (13) Law, (14) Administrative Training, (15) Archery and Education, (16) Sorcerer, (17) Methodology and Removal of Poison, (18) Hidden Money Method of detection.

बौद्धकालीन शिक्षा:

In the intellectual period, education was imparted in monasteries, monasteries. The aim of Buddhist education imparted in this method was the development of characteristic qualities, astrology, logic science, philosophical scripture. In the Buddhist period, many universities like Taxila, Nalanda, Vikramashila, Vallabhi, Shravasti, Odalpuri, Kalindi etc. were world famous. 118 subjects were taught here. Education of religion, philosophy, justice, logic, astrology etc. were provided by skilled teachers.

Women Education :

Education was also an important place for women in ancient India. Both temporal and spiritual teachings were given to women. Co-education was not considered bad. It is said in the Gobhil Grihasutra that the illiterate wife was not able to perform the yagna.

In the Vedic era, women used to perform Yajnopaveet and perform Vedhyayana and evening morning etc. Knowledge of the Vedas and Vedangas was also imparted to women, but they were limited to poems required for religious songs and rituals. Educated women were divided into two classes - Sayoddvahus, who followed only his education until his marriage, and Brahmavadini, who never married and continued to study all his life.

Mahavira and Gautama Buddha had allowed the entry of women into the Sangha, they followed the Brahmacharya fast for contemplation of religion and philosophy. Jainism and Buddhism literature suggests that some of the monks contributed immensely to the development and education of literature, in which Ashoka's daughter Sanghamitra was the chief. Here he had great fame as the great teachers of Buddhist Agamas. Jain literature reveals a woman named Jayanthi who remained unmarried in the thirst for knowledge of religion and philosophy and eventually became a nun.

The women were trained in dance and music besides sewing, weaving, embroidery, apart from household chores along with education. The girls were also included in the Upanayana ceremony. Some notable Vedic and Upanishadic female scholars were Appala, Indrani, Ghosha, Lopamudra, Gargi and Maitreyi.

It can be concluded from the conclusion that the ancient education system was famous not only in the country but also in the whole world. The fame of this education system was spread all around, based on the purpose of character building, spiritual knowledge as well as all-round development of the person.