Ancient Educational Institutions: Takshashila, Nalanda and Valabhi

It includes the educational importance of the Ancient Educational institutions of India - Takshashila, Nalanda and Valabhi.

1. Ancient Educational Institutions: Takshashila , Nalanda and Valabhi Image Courtesy: The Mysterious India Dr Rajnikant Dodiya Asst.Prof . HMPIETR BEd English Sem -I Unit-1

2. About Takshashila or Taxila The oldest among all universities in India A centre of learning as early as during 700 B.C. Its name is derived from Taksh – the son of Bharata Now it is in North-Western Pakistan Archaeological site now and UNESCO also declared it as a heritage site in 1980 Archaeologist Alexander Cunningham discovered this place in mid 19 th century

3. Aims of Each Institute To impart higher education To provide learnings of scriptures and ancient books To facilitate the comprehension of the content of the Vedas and the sacred books To impart education of arts and silpas (crafts)

4. Curriculum Vedas (three Vedas – Rigveda, Samveda , Yajurveda) and Silpas (Crafts) Explanation books on Vedas’ content Vedas’ six auxiliary sciences – (1) The Science of correct pronunciation; (2) Aphoristic literature guiding the performance of various rites and sacrifices; (3) Grammar; (4) Astronomy; ( 5)Prosody (study of rhythm) and (6) Etymology (study of origin of words)

5. Studies of 18 Silpas According to one source, the Silpas or crafts were as follows : Holy tradition and secular law, Sankhya , Nyaya (law) Logic, Vaiseshika (Atomic theory of creation), Arithmetic, Music, Medicine, four Vedas, Puranas (Antiquities), Iti - hasas (History ), Military Art, Poetry and Conveyancing. A study of various references shows that the following crafts were taught in this university : Conveyancing or Law, Mathematics, Accountancy, Agriculture, Commerce, Cattle breeding, Smithy, Carpentry, Medicine arid Surgery, Archery and allied Military arts. Astronomy, Astrology., Divination , Magic , Snake charming , Art of finding hidden treasures, Music, Dancing and Painting.

6. Role of Teachers Takshasila became famous because of learned teachers. Each teacher was an institution in himself and enjoyed complete autonomy in his work. His authority was final in fixing up the duration of the course, in directing the courses of studies, in selecting or rejecting students and in laying down rules for guiding the day-to-day work. As each teacher was an authority on the subject of his specialization , there was little scope for any conflict of interests or competition among them .

7. Their excellence attracted hundreds of students from all over the continent They have immense knowledge worth knowing in those days. The studies terminated when the teacher was satisfied with the achievement of his student and there was no rigid regulation of any sort to regiment the duration of the 10 course . There were also some cases where teachers advised students to leave their studies , because they could not fit themselves in the social, intellectual or moral atmosphere of their schools, which were invariably located in the teachers' private houses.

8. Historical significance of each of them with reference to education A centre of learning including religious teachings of Buddhism. Known majorly for its higher education the curriculum comprising of the study of ancient scriptures, law, medicine, astronomy, military science and arts. Free admission for all castes except the Chandalas (the fifth caste) No restriction about the choice of subject which entirely left to students The dictum – “knowledge for knowledge’s sake’ was followed

9. Complete democracy reigning in this university. Different classes and castes were merged in the democracy of learning. A common code of rules and observances prescribed for students irrespective of their social or economic status. Teachers were thirsting for pupils and offering prayers for receiving such pupils Its great students include Panini (the great grammarian of Sanskrit), Chanakya (known as Kautilya and the minister of Chandra Gupta Mourya , Jivaka (famous physician)

10. Nalanda Vidyapith

11. About Nalanda Vidyapith ‘ nalam ’ means lotus – the symbol of knowledge ‘da’ means giving Nalanda means ‘giver of knowledge Ancient center of learning in India Established in Fifth century by Kumar Gupt – I Located at Nalanda in Bihar. Buddha stayed at this place of Nalanda First residential university in the world with capacity of 10000 students and professors It had temples, meditation halls, classrooms and big libraries Students from all over the world to study at Nalanda

12. Curriculum at Nalanda Subjects like Astronomy, Philosophy, Sanskrit, Math’s, Yoga, Veda Buddhist as well as non-Buddhist subjects. Study of Mahayana and Hinayana. Tantra was a very popular subject at this university because we hear oi many scholars writing works on Tantra, others studying them and still others copying and translating them into the languages of the north. Tantras deal with the use of mystic syllables and words as well as magic .

13. Other subjects studied in this University were the Vedas and their six auxiliaries. Medicine, Grammar, Sankhya , Philology, Law, Philosophy and other miscellaneous subjects. There were some institutions for primary education run by the university where six-year olds were admitted. Such students learnt Sabdavidya or Grammar of the Sanskrit language.

14. Library at Nalanda Vidyapith Three buildings: (1) Ratnasagar , (2) Ratnadadhi and (3) Ratnaranjak Hundred thousand Books on Religions, literature, astrology, astronomy and medicine available Destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1197. Burned for three months and 9 million books were burned.

15. Destruction of Vidyapith Destroyed three times by kings and rebuild twice by King Harshvardhan Complete destruction was done by Mohammad Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1197. His army burned alive the monks and students.

16. Teachers and students It is stated that at one time there were 10,000 monks staying at Nalanda . Of these, 1,510 were teachers and the remaining 8,500 were students belonging to various levels of attainments and studying various subjects. It has been pointed out that there were on an average a hundred lectures or discussions every day. On an average the number of students per teacher was seven or eight and it must have been very convenient to give individual attention to students.

17. The names of Teachers are: Nagarjuna , Vasubandhu , Dinnaga , Padmasaihbhava , Shantarakshita , Aryadeva , Rahulabhadra , Asanga , Jayadeva , Chandrakirti , Dharmapala , Gunamati , Sthiramati , Prabhamitra and Jinamitra are traditionally associated with this famous university.

18. Historical significance of each of them with reference to education Attracted many scholars from different parts of the country and the world Teaching was done through the methods of debates and discussions Students studied Vedas and fine arts, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, politics and art of warfare Knowledge considered as sacred and no fees was charged Imparting education was the highest form of donation Entrance examination system for admission at Nalanda

19. There is also departments for primary and secondary education where young students were freely admitted For all these students a very high standard of morality was prescribed and students at Nalanda were taken as models of morality, and during the long existence of seven centuries not a single case of guilty rebellion has been reported . Begging was prescribed because of its educational advantages as was the case in Hindu institutions. There the student begged not for himself but for the support of his school. Its educative value lay in the fact that it produced in the pupil a spirit of humility and renunciation.

20. Valabhi Vidyapith Once a capital of the state and an international port A rich place of trades and business Situated in Saurashtra in Gujarat Established by Maitrak Kings and contributed a lot by them in developing this place in all areas especially trade and education These kings constructed hostels, libraries for students The funds necessary for running the University were made available by the citizens of the place, many of whom were very rich and generous.

21. Historical Importance and Curriculum Imparted in subjects like Niti (Political science. Statesmanship), Varta (Business, Agriculture), Administration. Theology, Law, Economics and Accountancy . Education of 18 various subjects including four V edas, six Vedangs , Puranas , Law, Epistemology, etc. Jain philosophy and Bauddh philosophy were also added after some time in curriculum in which 72 different subjects were taught which include – reading, writing, calculation, grammar, astrology, chemistry, logic, medical science, history, music, painting, magic, hypnotism, trade, theatre, Sanskrit, etc.

22. Teachers at Valabhi include names like Sthirmati , Gunmati , Shri Mallavadi Suri ( Jainacharya ), Skandswami (Expert of Rigveda) and Nagarjuna Valabhi was known for freedom and liberty for all people and it was also seen in its administration of education services. Students were coming from all over the country to learn various subjects. They live at the vidyapith and learn by debates and discussions with the teachers and other scholars.