Education in Ancient India c12.s2.t1.2

c12.s2.t1.2

Condition of Culture and Education : This age marked the beginning of Indian culture, literature and science and so naturally not much progress was made in the different departments of knowledge. Its literary and scientific achievements were naturally less dazzling and comprehensive than those of the succeeding age. People of this period however had a very keen desire to make progress in the realm of knowledge. They had realised that it was intellectual efficiency and equipment that was most essential for progress in culture and knowledge. It was emphasised that gods would be friends of only those who are wise and learned. Those only were regarded as learned who could not only recite the texts but also understand and interpret them. Every householder of the age therefore naturally regarded the education of his children as a sacred duty. No distinction was made in this connection between boys and girls; the education of both received the same attention at least upto the higher stage. Ordinarily the guardian discharged his duty to teach his wards so regularly and successfully that no necessity was felt for a long time either for the professional teacher or for the public school. Secular literature was yet to be developed and so the literary course was predominently religious. People however had an open, free and enquiring mind and were eager to explore new realms of knowledge. Great emphasis was laid on the proper development of debating powers; boys and girls who were successful in debates were highly honoured. Education however did not produce mere talkers but transformed its recepients into man of action as well. This would become quite clear from the successful manner in which the Aryans of the age spread their culture and extended their political influence. The Aryan community was a compact and homogenous one during this period, and there was not much difference in the educational level of the different classes. Priests however generally used to specialise in literary and religious education. Warriors and agriculturists also received some literary education, but it was naturally not so deep or wide as that of the priests or the poets. They used to devote the greater part of their educational course in mastering the art of war, or the processes of agriculture or the methods of arts and crafts. The followers of the latter were held in high esteem: some of them like Aśvins and Ribhus were even deified. The educational system of the age was successful in forming character, developing personality, promoting the progress of different branches of knowledge and achieving social efficiency and happiness.