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@article{195260,
        author = {Dr K S KANNAN},
        title = {THE ANCIENT EDUCATION SYSTEM IN INDIA},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {10},
        pages = {7392-7396},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=195260},
        abstract = {The ancient education system of India is among the earliest organized traditions of learning in the world. Rooted in spiritual and philosophical foundations, it aimed not only at intellectual development but also at the moral, physical, and spiritual growth of the learner. The central feature of this system was the guru shishya parampara, a personalized teacher disciple relationship that emphasized mentorship, discipline, and value-based education. The gurukula model provided residential education in simple surroundings, cultivating self-reliance, humility, and ethical conduct. Over time, great universities such as Takshashila, Nalanda, and Vikramashila emerged as global centers of knowledge, attracting students from Asia and beyond. The curriculum was comprehensive, covering sacred texts (Vedas, Upanishads), philosophy (darshanas), grammar, logic, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and statecraft, as well as arts and physical training. Pedagogical methods included oral transmission, memorization, debate (shastrarthas), and practical learning, with assessments designed to test understanding rather than rote recall. While the system’s strengths lay in its holistic vision and global influence, it also had limitations access was often restricted by caste and gender, and overdependence on oral traditions led to loss of knowledge during political upheavals. Despite its decline under medieval and colonial pressures, the legacy of India’s ancient education system remains significant. Its emphasis on ethics, experiential learning, and the integration of knowledge with life offers valuable insights for modern educational reforms. Reviving these principles in contemporary contexts can help create balanced individuals capable of combining intellectual competence with moral responsibility.},
        keywords = {Gurukula, Guru Shishya Parampara, Nalanda University, Holistic Learning, Vedic Tradition, Buddhist Monastic Education, Value-based Education},
        month = {March},
        }