Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c19.20

c19.20

The Inscription on a Pillar at Malkāpuram in the Guntur taluk records an endowment establishing a number of institutions, a temple, a monastery, a feeding-house, colonies of Brahmins, schools of students of Śaiva Purāṇas, and a Maternity Home and a Hospital. The Staff of all these institutions included (*a*) three teachers for teaching the three Vedas, (*b*) five for teaching Logic, Literature, and the Āgamas, (*c*) one Doctor, (*d*) one Accountant (Kāyastha), (*e*) six Brāhmaṇa servants for the *Maṭha* and feeding-house, (*f*) Village-guards, called *Vīra-bhadras*, (*g*) Village Craftsmen called *Vīra-mushṭis*, to work as goldsmith, coppersmith, mason, bamboo-worker, blacksmith, potter, architect, carpenter, barber, and artisan. In the feeding-house were fed at all hours men of all castes from Brāhmaṇa to Chaṇḍāla—a remarkable instance of Śaiva catholicity.