Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c32.s1.40

c32.s1.40

**Academic Titles.** The ranking of monks led to the institution of titles indicative of the different degrees of status, standing, and grade to which they belonged. The highest title was *Kulapati* for the head of an institution numbering 10,000 students, as stated in a Smṛiti Text: "*Munīnāṁ daśasāhasraṁ yonnadānena poshaṇāt* | *adhyāpayati viprarshiḥ asau kulapatiḥ smṛitaḥ*." The next title of distinction was *Paṇḍita*. At the University of Vikramaśīlā (*c.* A.D. 800), it indicated a degree conferred on a successful graduate. But at Nālandā it was reserved only for the Head of the whole Vihāra [Tārānāth, p. 161; Vidyābhūshaṇa, *Medieval Indian Logic*, p. 79].