Education System in Ancient India

The present-day education scenario in India seems to be lagging behind the advanced western education systems. It seems to be giving more importance to marks than practical knowledge, has a rigid and outdated curriculum, does not prefer out of the box thinking, and has a poor quality of infrastructure. Right now the Indian Education System needs drastic changes. But it was not so when it all started.

One of the Oldest Education System

India has one of the oldest education systems in the world. The foundation of the education system in India was laid back in the 3^rd century B.C. This Education System comprised of both formal and informal education methods. 

The system of learning in India started long before books or scripts were written. During the earlier days, the rishis and gurus used to pass on their knowledge to the next generation verbally. This process continued for a long time. However, the education system in India became more systematic and well structured once the scriptures and books started being written and gurukuls were established. Later two different education system emerged in India: the Vedic system and the Buddhist system

The philosophical and Indian epistemological traditions of ancient India were the two pillars of the education system. The education system of India at that time revolved around various concepts of nature, knowledge of flora and fauna, the scientific discovery happening at that time, the meaning of life and death, the ways to obtain moksha and several others. Every kid was encouraged to start their educational journey at the age of four or five. 

Vedic Education System

If we are to talk about the Vedic education system, the main focus of the learning process is to give the students knowledge about the four Vedas. They are even considered to be some of the oldest literature in the world. The Smritis and the Puranas were also taught. Rig Veda is a massive collection of hymns, Yajurveda teaches the art of performing sacrifices while Samaveda gives us the art of chanting songs. These three together are known as the Triple science. Atharvaveda, however, is sometimes described as the Veda of magical formulas as it teaches about various herbs and medicine. This Veda has formed the basis of Ayurvedic medicine in India.

Each Veda can be subdivided into the Samhitas (mantras and benedictions), the Aranyakas (the text on rituals and ceremonies), the Brahmanas (commentaries on rituals and sacrifices) and the Upanishads (meditation, philosophy and spiritual knowledge).

Gurukul System

Gurukuls were set up by rishis and religious teachers. The students had to leave their homes and stay at the gurukuls. They were imparted upon the knowledge on various topics orally and were taught to read and write. The education system in ancient India was free for one and all. The people in charge of the gurukuls had to take care of the students’ need including food, clothing, and accommodation. The pupils had to engage in physical labor for the maintenance of the academy in return for the education that they received.

One notable feature in this system was the specialization of students in the branch of their own choice. If a person wants to be a Yodha or a soldier then knowledge about warfare and strategic planning was imparted to him. If a person wants to be a merchant then the knowledge of the market was given to him. Later on, this system, however, got corrupted when it started dividing pupils on their Varnas. There were four Varnas: Brahmana, Kshatriya, Sudra, and Vaishnava. It was also during this period when large and popular institutions like Nalanda, Benares, Taxila, Ujjain and many others were established. Taxila was the center for medical study while Ujjain became popular for astronomy. The gurukuls also followed the concept of celibacy. During the education period of the student, the student would focus only on the education the person is receiving.

Buddhist System

Next came the Buddhist era. The main difference between these two systems was that the students received education until the age of 25 and were allowed to return to their respective homes during the Vedic education system. However, the Buddhist system was laid on the principle that the students were never to return back to their original homes and to start their own life as monks after the completion of the education period. It mainly emphasized on the concept of obtaining salvation and purity of character.

Suttanta, Vinaya, Dhamma, Weaving, Spinning, Medicine, Surgery, Sketching were some of the many subjects taught in the academies. The establishment of many monasteries in a different part of India was seen for monks and nuns. Taxila was one of the notable centers of the Buddhist education system. In this system, a child started his educational journey at the age of eight. 

Women Education

Ancient Indian Education System also made an effort in educating the women folks of the nation. They were given basic knowledge and were trained in housekeeping, dancing, and music. The women learners were categorized into two classes. Sadyodwahas were women that were given education until they got married. However, there were certain women that pursued education for their entire lives and never got married. These were the Brahmavadinis.

Not all students in ancient India became rishis or scholars. Hence they were given knowledge about an art form to earn their livelihood. Dance, Music, Sculpture, Medical sciences were some of the art forms of ancient India.

Ancient India had one of the most advanced forms of Education System in the world. Whether it was scientific advances or literature, we were unmatched. It was India that gave the world zero. Our ancient medicinal herbs and findings are still useful and are studied in different parts of the world. India introduced the art of meditation and yoga to the world.