Formal Education System in Ancient India
by Sushmita Nath | 2016 | 63,563 words
This page relates 鈥�7th century Valabhi university鈥� of the study on the (formal) education system in Ancient India with reference to Vedic and Buddhist period, investiging educational institutions and universities which existed during this time. Professional educational methods were found in ancient Sanskrit literature (Brahamanas, Dharma-Shastras, Puranas, Jatakas, etc.), including rules, ceremonies and duties of pupils in ancient India.
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The 7th century 痴补濒补产丑墨 university
痴补濒补产丑墨 was another famous Buddhist Monastic University. In the seventh century A.D, 痴补濒补产丑墨 had achieved paramount educational importance. 痴补濒补产丑墨 was the rival to the University of 狈腻濒补苍诲腻. The University generally provided education in 贬颈苍补测腻苍补 Buddhism[1]. It was situated in Saurastra in Western India. The place is identical with Wala state. It was the capital of Maitraka kings during the period of 475-775 A.D[2].
The first 痴颈丑腻谤补 of 痴补濒补产丑墨 was erected by the Princes 顿耻岣嶀笉补, niece of King Dhruvasena. 顿耻岣嶀笉补vihara was a large 痴颈丑腻谤补 and it was called 鈥�痴颈丑腻谤补mandala鈥�[3]. In the inscription it is mentioned that other 痴颈丑腻谤补s like Yak峁sura 痴颈丑腻谤补 and Gohaka 痴颈丑腻谤补 were also built within its boundary. Again in five hundred eighty A.D, King Dharasena I made a grant in favour of another 痴颈丑腻谤补 called Sri Bappapada, which was founded by 膧肠腻谤测补蝉 叠腻诲补苍迟补. It was situated on the Seashore and an important port of International trade. Many wealthy Merchants were dwelling in this place. And these wealthy Merchants patronized education at 痴补濒补产丑墨. The Maitraka kings made large donation to the University especially for the library[4].
In the seventh century A.D 痴补濒补产丑墨 occupied paramount educational importance. But unfortunately we do not have enough information about 痴补濒补产丑墨. Hiuen Tsang mentioned that when he visited the place, there were six thousand monks studying in the University and hundred Monasteries or 厂补峁僩丑补谤补尘补蝉 provided for them. Like Hiuen Tsang, I-Tsing too had found 痴补濒补产丑墨 in the western side of India as glorious as 狈腻濒补苍诲腻. Many students from every part of India would flock there for education. Even 叠谤腻丑尘补峁嘺蝉 from the distant Gangetic plain used to send their sons to that place for higher Education. In 碍补迟丑腻蝉补谤颈迟蝉腻驳补谤[5] we find that a 叠谤腻丑尘补峁嘺 Vasudatta of Antaravedi sends his son 痴颈峁ａ箛耻诲补迟迟补 for education in 痴补濒补产丑墨. But it is interesting to mention here that the students of 狈腻濒补苍诲腻 also visited 痴补濒补产丑墨 for advance learning. Hiuen Tsang mentioned that Sthiramati and Gunamati, the teachers of Nalanda were once in charge of the Monastery at 痴补濒补产丑墨. They were both the disciples of 膧肠腻谤测补 Vasubandha. Those students who take admission at 痴补濒补产丑墨 should reside the place for two or three years to complete their education. After the completion of education, the students of 痴补濒补产丑墨 used to present themselves at the royal court to prove their capacity. They demonstrate their administrative talent at the Royal court to be employed in the Government services[6]. This point clearly indicates that 痴补濒补产丑墨 not only provided education in 贬颈苍补测腻苍补 Buddhism but also provided secular subjects such as 础谤迟丑补艣腻蝉迟谤补, Law, Politics, 痴腻谤迟腻, Theology, 颁颈办颈迟蝉腻艣补蝉迟谤补 and Accountancy[7].
So, it clearly indicates that, like 狈腻濒补苍诲腻, 痴补濒补产丑墨 was also a famous seat of learning in Buddhist period. But it is our fault that we do not know too much about 痴补濒补产丑墨 as we do about 狈腻濒补苍诲腻. But from the Chinese Pilgrims鈥� accounts, we assumed that 痴补濒补产丑墨 illuminated our country for centuries.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
[3]:
Dutta,Sukumar, Buddhist Monks and Monasteries of India: their history and their contribution to Indian culture, Motilal Banarasi Dass Publishers, Delhi 2015, P.226.
[4]:
Mookerji, R.K. Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist), Motilal Banarasi Dass Publishers, Delhi 2011, P. 586.
[5]:
Anta峁歏eday膩mabh奴tp奴峁歏a峁� vasudatt iti 诲惫颈箩补岣� | 痴颈峁ａ箛耻诲补迟迟补bhidh膩n艣ca putrastasyopapadyata || Sa vi峁ａ箛udatto vayas膩 p奴r峁嘺峁岣峚艣avatsara岣 Ga峁僼a峁� pravav峁泃e vidy膩pr膩ptaye valbh墨pura峁� || 碍补迟丑腻蝉补谤颈迟蝉腻驳补谤,XXXII,42-43.
[6]:
Dutta, Sukumar, Buddhist Monks and Monasteries of India: their history and their contribution to Indian culture, Motilal Banarasi Dass Publishers, Delhi 2015, P.230.