Ancient Indian Education: An Inquiry into its Origin, Development, and Ideals c4.187

c4.187

With regard to the old Brāhmanic education as it exists in India to-day, the last Quinquennial Review of Education in India states¹ that in 1912 there existed 1178 private Sanskrit schools. Most of these would be schools of the old type. They had decreased from 1630 in 1907. Mr. de la Fosse, speaking of the United Provinces, is quoted as saying,² ‘Sanskrit *pāthshālas* of the indigenous type . . . are, generally speaking, rather poorly attended. They are to be found where the number of the Brāhman population is sufficient to create a demand for the learning of a little Sanskrit and Hindu astrology. The pupils seem to spend their time in casting horoscopes, or divining auspicious days and times for commencing occupations. The schools may be classed as professional, for the scholars are destined to earn their livelihood by presiding at or helping in the performance of those religious ceremonies which make up so large a part of the life of the orthodox Hindu villager. In some a little Hindi is taught and also writing, but not much attention is paid to this side of the work.’