Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c17.79

c17.79

**Ayodhyā as a Centre of Culture.** The educational and cultural conditions of the country in that age are seen at their best at Ayodhyā, the capital of Kings Daśaratha and Rāma. The city was noted for its Vedic Schools of Taittirīyas, Kāṭhakas, and Mānavas. It is stated that among the Brāhmaṇas of the city there was neither illiteracy nor inadequacy of knowledge [*R.*, i, 5–7]. There were the Associations of Brahmachārīs called "Mekhalīnāṁ Mahā-Saṁgha". This Students' Federation is mentioned as approaching the King with statements of their views on public questions and grievances. Students are also mentioned as residents of *Āśramas* as well as of *Āvasathas* which were like the licensed lodging-houses of modern times. The Āśramas were suburban retreats whither flocked the citizens to listen to learned discourses and discussions held there. These were like modern University Extension Lectures [*R.*, ii, 67]. These debates were generally carried on by Lokāyatas notorious for their casuistry. Ayodhyā was also the seat of the Purāṇic Schools of Sūtas and Māgadhas and was crowded by these bards and chroniclers [*R.*, ii, 100; 38–9; i, 5], of whom the Chief in those days was Ārya (Reverend) Chitraratha [*R.*, ii, 32]. There were also at Ayodhyā Ladies' Clubs called *Vadhū-Saṁghas*, Dramatic Societies called *Nāṭaka-Saṁghas*, which organized festivities called *Utsavas* and *Samājas* at the suburban parks, of which the main programme was acting and dancing [*R.*, i, 5–7; ii, 67]. Lastly, we have a reference to educational institutions conducted by private citizens in the city (*paurān*) which offered Lectures and Lessons attended by various bodies of students (*Śishya-Gaṇas*). These citizens included the Sūtas and Māgadhas, king's officers, artists and craftsmen of all kinds, and merchants who had travelled widely [*R.*, ii, 1–2; i, 5–7; ii, 67].