The Ancient India Education System: Guru Shishya and Universities

Ancient India Education System

Ancient India education system was largely an oral teaching system where a student have guru-shishya bond (teacher-disciple tradition). In that era, students used to live with their guru in a family environment to acquire knowledge of life and skills. In the oral teaching, permitted studies included:

• Vedas

• Upanishads

• Itihas (history)

Education in that era was considered free. Society supported it through donations from wealthy merchants and people. Renowned centers such as Takshashila, Nalanda University, Vikramshila, and Valabhi provided higher education. Temples in South India were known as major education hub in ancient India.

1. Rule of Guru Shishya

In ancient India, a guru was more than a teacher; he was like a parent to those who stayed by their side in times of need. A mutual understanding bond that is created over time. The guru is responsible for the student's physical and mental well-being. The guru had led a life of high moral character and served as the primary source of textbooks for the students.

The role of the student is in the student life; he is defined as brahmacharya, celibacy, and self-control. In exchange for their guru's teaching and care, they perform house chores:

• Collecting the woods

• Tending the cattle

• Cleaning the gurukul every morning

This system was designed to destroy the ego and instill humanity. The devotion of the student towards their teacher should be unquestionable; they have absolute faith in their guru's wisdom. At the end of student life, they offer a gift to their guru. This isn't any kind of fee; this is the token of gratitude to their teacher, which could be something like a promise, an object, or any kind of task to spread the knowledge. The knowledge was never sold. The guru provides food, shelter, and the community to support the gurukul.

2. Famous Centers of Learning

Takshila University, which were current location in Pakistan, is considered the world's first true university where teachers teach subjects like Vyakaran, Ayurveda, and Arthashastra. It was in the period from the 6th to the 7th century BCE to the 5th century CE.

• Global Hub: In the university, students come from different regions such as Kashi, Kosala, and Magadha. It is known as ga lobal learning hub in ancient times.

• Famous Figures: There were famous teachers of that time likes Chanakya, known as Kautilya, who wrote the Arthashastra, Chandragupta Maurya, he is the founder of the Maurya Empire, and Charaka, he is known as the Ayurvedic doctor.

• Destruction: Takshila was destroyed around the 5th century CE; the main reason was the invasion of the Huns.

Nalanda University is situated in present day in Bihar. It is the first residential university in history. Nalanda had over more than 10,000+ students and 1500+ teachers.

• International Reach: Students come from different countries, like China, Japan, Tibet, and  Korea, here for their education.

• Infrastructure: Nalanda have massive library called Dharamganj. It has lakhs of books and manuscripts; the building was multi-storied.

• Strict Standards: Their education system was very strict. The admission process, only high IQ student gets the entry. Their student debates, oral learning decisions, and their teacher were very respected scholars.

• Destruction: The Nalanda faced its destruction in 1193 CE by Bakhtiyar Khilji. It took almost a month to burn the whole library. A massive loss for the whole world, destroyed the huge amount of knowledge.

Vikramshila University was established in the 8th century in Bihar by the King Dharmapala, the ruler of the Pala Empire. This university was a major center of Vajrayana Buddhism studies and advanced learning. It is known as one of the top universities after Nalanda in the whole world. It is also known as the center of Buddhism.

• Curriculum: The subject which were taught here are grammar, psychology, logic, law, meditation, and spiritual practices.

• Famous Scholars: There are famous scholars, such as Atisha, who spread Buddhism in Tibet; he is known as a great teacher.

• System: The education system was around 1,000+ students and 100+ teachers. It had 6 center gates, each of which scholars test the student's capability before entry. Education is deeply focused on debates, disciplines, and deep knowledge.

• Destruction: Vikramshila University was destroyed in 1203 CE by Bakhtiyar Khilji.