Education during Ancient
India
Dr. P.V. SESHA SAI Ph.D.,
SIBM
Hyderabad
Introduction
• In ancient India, education emerged from the Vedas because the
Vedas were the sources of Indian philosophy of life.
• The Veda means knowledge.
• In that period the education was divided into two kinds of knowledge,
one is 'This Worldly' and another is 'Other Worldly' .
• 'This Worldly' dealt with the social aspect whereas the 'Other Worldly'
related to intellectual pursuits for achieving salvation.
• However the greater Emphasis was laid on the latter, because
education was considered as the mean of free from life bondages.
SYSTEM OF EDUCATION DURING
VEDIC PERIOD
• The system of education during the vedic period was totally different from
Today's education system.
• The student life in vedic period was began with “Upanayana” ceremony.
• This was performed for 3 days. And the students go to his chosen teacher, called
as Acharya.
• The place of learning was called Gurukul and after the Upanayan ceremony the
pupil was called as Brahmachari.
• The home of the teacher or Acharya was the centre of learning, which was
situated in natural surrounding.
• The age limit of upanayan was 8 years, 11 years and 12 years respectively for
Brahmins, Kshatriya and Vaishyas.
AIM OF EDUCATION DURING VEDIC
PERIOD
• The following are the aims of education in vedic period :-
1. Realisation of the supreme and achieve the supreme consciousness.
2. Inculcation of spirit of piety and righteousness
3. Preservation and spread of ancient culture
4. Unfolding of the spiritual and moral power of the individual
5. Achieving perfection of physical mental and intellectual personality of the student.
6. Formation of good and moral character
7. Inculcation of social and civil duties
8. Fostering dignity of labour among the students.
SALIENT POINTS OF VEDIC SYSTEM OF EDUCATION
• The ancient Indian education emerged from the Vedas as they were the main
sources of Indian philosophy of life.
• The attitude of people towards life was intellectual and spiritual, rather than
materialistic.
• Their objective was to attain salvation through education and that too through
religious education.
• Indian culture surcharged with religious feelings and it was assigned prominent
place in the field of education.
• The forest home of the preceptor in the midst of charming, natural surrounding
served as the educational institution where the pupil lived after the Upanayana
or initiation ceremony.
• The preceptor occupied the place of the father or guardian and was
discharging the duties by shouldering the responsibility of his ward's
maintenance.
• Much emphasis was laid on the formation of character though ‘plain living
and high thinking’
• The basis of admission was moral fitness and unimpeachable conduct. The
pupils belonging to a lower order of moral conduct was forbidden to live in
the house of the preceptor.
• The discipline of Brahmacharya or Celibacy was compulsory for all.
Education helped in the observance of celibacy, control over senses and
purity of life.
• To serve the preceptor was considered as the sacred duty by the pupils.
• Being a residential pupil, he was looking to the comforts of his Guru.
• In thought, speech and deed he pledged devotion to his Guru.
• The practical aspect of life was not lost of sight.
• Side by side with art, literature, and philosophy, students were getting
working knowledge in agriculture and other vocations of life.
• Individual was the teaching unit and all round development of the child's
personality was the chief aim of education.
• The method of teaching was psychological in nature.
CURRICULUM DURING VEDIC
SYSTEM OF EDUCATION
• The curriculum during Vedic period was dominated by the teaching of
Vedas and Vedic literature, spiritual and moral lessons.
• The other subject like philosophy, astrology, logic, language, grammar
were also taught during Vedic period.
• Also physical education was included in the curriculum.
• Student used to learn archery, wrestling, hunting, dancing, etc.
• Some professional and technical education like Astronomy, Astrology,
Ayurveda, Arthasastra were also included in the curriculum
METHOD OF TEACHING DURING
VEDIC SYSTEM OF EDUCATION
• There were mainly three steps of learning according to Vedic system.
• Sravana is the first step. It means listening towards the text as uttered by the teacher.
• By this method of education, knowledge was conserved and transmitted to the future generations.
• The second step was Manana . It means to internalize or to assimilate what was given to the
pupils.
• It is the process of deliberation and Reflection on the topic.
• The third step was Nididhyasana or Dhyana ( Meditation ) by which truth is realised and attended.
It was considered in indispensable for the realisation of Supreme reality.
• The ancient system of teaching was listening and internalising (Shruti and Smrithi methods) .
• Perception was direct method of learning.
• Llecture, dialogue, debate, discussion, question-answer etc., were adopted as method of teaching.
