SCHOOL SUBJECTS AND THEIR EVOLUTION AS A CURRICULAR AREA AT SCHOOL. EVOLUTION OF SCHOOL SUBJECTS BEFORE AND AFTER INDEPENDENCE - 1

SCHOOL SUBJECTS AND THEIR EVOLUTION AS A CURRICULAR AREA AT SCHOOL. EVOLUTION OF SCHOOL SUBJECTS BEFORE AND AFTER INDEPENDENCE.

          In ancient times, India had the Gurukula system of education in which anyone who wished to study went to a teacher's (Guru) house and requested to be taught. If accepted as a student by the guru, he would then stay at the guru's place and help in all activities at home. This not only created a strong tie between the teacher and the student, but also taught the student everything about running a house. The guru taught everything the child wanted to learn, from Sanskrit to the holy scriptures and from Mathematics to Metaphysics [ THE STUDY OF THE ORGIN , FUNDAMENTAL STRUCTURE , NATURE , AND DYNAMICS OF THE UNIVERSE ] . The student stayed as long as she wished or until the guru felt that he had taught everything he could teach. All learning was closely linked to nature and to life, and not confined to memorizing some information.

In the Vedic days[1200 B.C ] , the teaching of the four Vedas, the hymns and ritual practices were seen. The Vedas included the Sanskrit language which in turn became the language of classical learning. Besides the pronunciation of the Vedas and their implication, phonology [ SCIENCE OF SOUND ], elementary grammar, Astronomy , Ethics, LOGIC and etymology [ SCIENCE OF ORGIN OF SOUND ] were also taught.

BUDHISTIC EDUCATION

          Budhistic system of education changed from gurkula system to institutional model ,by giving education at primary and higher level. Students belongs to all castes were welcome in Buddhist Centres of Education. The education was carried on by the institutions known as Sanghas. The subjects included in their curriculum were Religions, Philosophy, Metaphysics, Logic, Medicine, Administration, etc.

Ancient Nalanda University 

Nalanda is an ancient centre of higher learning in Bihar, India from 427 to 1197. It was devoted to Buddhist studies, but it also trained students in fine arts, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, politics and the art of war.

Ancient Takshashila University

Takshashila, was an early Buddhist centre of learning. According to available references it is dated back to at least the 5th century BC. Generally, a student entered Takshashila at the age of sixteen. The Vedas and the Eighteen Arts, which included skills such as archery, hunting, and elephant lore, were taught, in addition to its law school, medical school, and school of military science. 

SUBJECTS TAUGHT DURING ISLAMIC EDUCATION

          During the Islamic period [ 1192 AD – 1707 AD ] , education was given in Maktab and Madrassa attached to Mosques. At the lower level the Holy Quran, the Biography of Hazrat Mohammed Sahib , The Laws of Islam, Arabic and Persian were taught. At the higher level students learned Mathematics , History, Geography, Economics, Islamic Religion and Islamic Laws.