Indian Education

1.

2.

CONTENT
• Vedic period
• Post vedic - Ancient universities
• Medieval era
• Colonial rule
• Modern and present era

3.

The origins of education in India
can be traced back to the Vedic
period, where traditional elements
like the Vedas, religion, arithmetic,
and logic were taught in small
groups.
The guru-shishya tradition
prevailed, with students seeking
knowledge from revered gurus.
This system, known as the Gurukul,
emphasized holistic learning and
spiritual growth.
Vedic period

4.

Vedic period (Cont.)
• The teacher-taught relationship was very cordial and thus like the Father-son
relationship.
• The ancient India education emerged from the Vedas, because the Vedas are the
source of Indian Philosophy of life.
• The main objective of Vedic education was the development of physical, moral and
intellectual powers of main and to achieve salvation much emphasis was laid on
attention, concentration and Yoga.
• Education was free of cost and the students led an exemplary life in Vedic system of
education.

5.

Ancient universities
• The Indian subcontinent has a long history of education and learning from the era
of Indus valley civilization
• Important ancient institutions of learning in ancient India are Takshashila, Kashmir
Smast, Nalanda, Valabhi University, Sharada Peeth, Pushpagiri Vihara, Odantapuri
University, Vikramashila, Somapura Mahavihara, Bikrampur Vihara, Jagaddala
Mahavihara.

6.

Ancient universities (cont.)
Nalanda University: (Fith century CE to c. 1200 CE)

7.

Ancient universities (cont.)
Mithila University: (7th century BC)
Sharada peeth: (6th century CE)

8.

Ancient universities (cont.)
Sharada peeth Library:
In the 11th century,
the Vaishnava
saint swami
Ramanuja traveled
from srirangam to
Sharada Peeth to refer
to the brahma sutras,
before commencing
work on writing his
commentary on the
Brahma sutras, the sri
bhasya.

9.

Ancient universities (cont.)
The influence of Buddhism and Jainism significantly shaped India's education history.
Monastic centers emerged as hubs of learning, offering teachings on spirituality,
philosophy, and literature.
The establishment of renowned universities such as Nalanda and Taxila during this
period further solidified India's reputation as a center for advanced learning.

10.

Medieval era
• Education in medieval India was dominated by Madrasas and
Gurukuls.
• These institutions provided free education to students and produced
many scholars and intellectuals.
• While the education system was mostly focused on religious teachings,
some subjects such as medicine, astronomy, and mathematics were
also taught.
• The focus was on religious texts, philosophy, and mathematics. The
Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas were the primary religious texts
taught. Sanskrit was the primary language of instruction.
Gurukul system:

11.

Colonial era
• The British colonial period introduced a Introduction of English:
European education system, emphasizing
employability and discipline.
• English education gained prominence, with
government
jobs
requiring
English
proficiency.
• Vernacular
language
education
also
persisted, leading to the rise of freedom
movements and the eventual creation of
India's education system post-independence.

12.

Class room of 19th century:
Colonial era (Cont.)
English teaching to rural people:

13.

Modern era
• After gaining independence in 1947, India's education history took a significant leap forward.
• The government implemented policies aimed at increasing access to education for all,
emphasizing the importance of literacy and elementary education.
• The establishment of premier institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian
Institutes of Management (IIMs) underscored India's commitment to fostering excellence in higher
education.
• As India entered the 21st century, the history of education continued to evolve. The nation
confronted challenges related to quality, accessibility, and equity in education.
• Online education, digital classrooms, and skill development programs have revolutionized
knowledge dissemination, ushering in a new era of education in India.

14.

Modern era (Cont.)
Modern Indian universities:

15.

Modern era (Cont.)
Basic structure of system of education in india:

16.

Modern era (Cont.)
Various schemes established in recent times for better education:
National Policy on Education (2020)
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)
Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA)
Right to Education Act (RTE)
Midday Meal Scheme
National Skill Development Policy

17.

Modern era (Cont.)

18.

Modern era (Cont.)
Challenges and problems in Indian Education:
Capacity utilization
Expenditure on education
Student-teacher ratio
PPP (Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model
Infrastructure facilities

19.

Key achievements of ancient Indian continent

20.

Key achievements of ancient Indian continent (Cont.)