Module - 7

Education in India

I. Essay Questions (5 Marks)

1. What kind of education did guilds provide in ancient period ?

A. During the Mauryan and Post - Mauryan Periods, the Indian society went through a phase of
intesive change where there was a growth of urban centres and trade and the mercantile community
came to acquire an important position. As a result, the guilds of the merchants began to play an
active role in providing education. They became centre of technical education and fostered the
knowledge of mining, metallurgy, carpentry, weaving and dying. The guilds also gave patronage
to astronomy, the position of stars, to help them in ocean navigation.

2. Discuss the contribution of the Jain and the Buddhist systems of education in the Gupta
period.

A. Buddist monasteries admitted students for ten years learning began with the oral method. Later
they shifted to the reading of literary texts. The monasteries had librares. Important manuscripts
were copied and stored. Students from other countries like china and Southeast Asia came to
the Buddhist monasteries for education. The monasteres were normally maintained by the grants
from the kings and the rich mercantile class. The Jains used sanskrit literature like Adipurana and
Yashatilaka for educational purposes in the earlier phase. But to make education more popular,
it was diversified to Prakrit and other regional languages like Tamil, Kannada and so on.

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3. Explain about the subjects that were taught during the ancient period.

A. The system of rational medicine was developed in the post-vedic period. Medicine became a
subject at centres of learning like Takshila and varanasi. Mathematics or ganita included Arithmetic,
Geomerty, Algebra, Astronomy and Astrology. Knowledge of applied science like metallurgy,
baked bricks, glazing, measurement of areas and volumes were known to people in ancient
India.

4. Write about the Muslim system of education in the medival period.

A. In the Islamic system of education the institutions that provided elementary education were known
as makhtabs, while those of higher learning were called madrasas. The makhtabs were generally
run by public donations Madrasas were maintained by the rulers and nobles.

There were 6 different types of insititutions :

(i) those established and maintained by nobles and rulers

(ii) those that were attached to the mosques.

(iii) those that were attached to the tombs.

(iv) those that were started and maintained by individual scholars.

(v) those that were attached to the sufi hospices

(vi) those which were run by individual scholars with the help of state assistance of donations.

5. Describe about the curriculum of Muslim educational system during medival period.

A. The main feature of the Muslim educational system was that it was traditional in spirit and theological
in content. The curriculam was bradly divided into two categories the traditional (Manqulat) and
the rational (Maqulat) sciences Traditions, law and history and literature came under the traditional
sciences. Logic, philosophy, medicine, mathematics and astronomy came under rational sciences.
Traditional subjects dominated education from the time of Iltumish till the reign of sikander Lodi.
Sikander Lodi introduced the study of philosophy and logic in the curriculum. The Mughal
emperor Humayun made education more rationalistic by introducing the study of mathematics,
astronomy and Geography in the madrasas in Delhi. Akbar added subjects like accountancy,
public administration and geometry.

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 6. Mention the suggestions made by woods Despatch of 1854.

A. The woods Despatch suggested that universities should be set up in Bombay, Madras and calcutta.
It emphasized the development of private enterprise, a system of grants-in-aid, training teachers
in the schools, womens' education and so on. It had a policy which was the diffusion of the
improved arts, sciences, philosophy and literature in Europe through English or other modern
Indian languages as the medium.

7. Explain about the position of secondary education in post-independent India.

A. There has been phenomenal expansion of secondary education, from 7288 schools in 1950-51
to 61,314 schools in 1985-86. Government is taking steps to provide education for every child.
Today, only 32% of the students in the age group of 14-17 years corresponding to class IX & X
are in schools. Most of those whose studies have been interupted have a facility to join open
schools.

8. Describe about Higher education in post - independent India.

A. The number of students enrolled for higher education is low. The proportion is even more
adverse in some regions, particularly in case of women, scheduled tribes and casts. Rural areas
have been touched only marginally by higher education of quality. The facilities in college vary
widely. It is important that courses in higher education offer unilinear programmes of study and
develop courses more closely related to life, development of personality and the reasoning and
learning capabilities of students.

9. Describe the aims of the New National policy of Education 1986.

A. The new National policy aimed to promote national progress, a sense of common citizenship and
culture and to strength national integration. It laid stress on the need for a radical reconstruction
of the education system, technology, the cultivation of moral values and a closer relation between
education and the life of the people.

10. What were the reforms introduced by New National policy in 1986 ?

A. In accordance with the New National policy on Education (1986) a comprehensive programme
'National Literacy Mission' (NLM) has been started for imparting literacy amongst the 15-35
age group.
It revolutionised the teaching with the availability of sattellite and a large network of T.V. and
radio stations. It is decided to setup Navodaya Vidyalas (Model schools) in every district by
which children in rural areas will be able to get quality education . It is also organised distance
education programmes.
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11. How did Andhra Pradesh Open school society help for the development of school
education ?

A. In 1991 Andhra Pradesh open school society provided an oppurtunity for students who could
not continue their formal education so that they can complete their studies till X class. As a part
of this, learning centres were organized in High schools which were situated nearby students in
every district. They are conducting 40 classes per year in these learning centres. Study materials,
CDs and text books are being supplied. 9.43 lakhs of students have been enrolled from the past
20 years.

II. Short Questions (3 Marks)

1. How was the education during redic period ?
A. 1. In the vedic period formal education was imparted in the ashramas. Education was primarily
the privilige of the upper castes. Learning was an intimate relationship between the teacher
and the pupil. The process of learning generally began with a religious ceremony, upanayana
(sacred thread ceremony). Education was normally imparted orally.

2. Why was Brahminicial education distanced from common people in ancient period ?
A. The ghatikas provided Brahminicial education in Sanskrit.
2. Entry to these temple colleges were open to the upper castes or dvijas (twice born)

3. Mention the aims of education in Ancient period.

A. Education was a matter of individual concern. The aim of education was the development of
pupils' overall personality. It believed that development of a man mean the teaining of his mind as
the instrument of aquiring knowledge.

4. Assess the position of women in the field of education in ancient India.

A. Women were regarded as property of their fathers till their marriage and of their husbands after
marriage. They were not accorded a legal status. There was a general prejudice against sending
girls for education outside their homes. They were supposed to learn household work and take
care of the husband and children.

5. What were the reforms introduced by Lord curzon ?

A. In 1904, the Indian universities Act was passed.
It enabled the universities to assume teaching and insepection of colleges.
It undertook measures for qualitative improvement in higher education.

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 6. How can you say that the British rule failed in providing equal educational oppurtunities
for all the people ?
A. Literacy and education were more widespread in towns than in villages.
The impact of english education was not even.
The examination system was emphasised in both high schools and universities.
The attempt was to create an urban educated elite that would act as interpreter between the ruler
and the ruled.

7. How did the education system is colonial rule help in the freedom struggle of the country.
A. The education system produced a breed of educated political leaders and social reformers.
The western literature influenced educated people and it made them to play an important role in
the freedom struggle of the country.
The publication of newspapers and pamphlets brought about an awakening among the masses.

8. What were the area which were emphasized in elementary education by the New National
policy of 1986 ?
A. Universal access and enrollment
universal retention of children of age between 6-14 years
Substantial improvement in the quality of education to enable all children to achieve essential
levels of learning.

9. Mention the reasons for "Brain drain".

A. The talented engineering students are not provided the kind of jobs and work environment which
would give them a sense of achievement and job satisfaction. As a result, brilliant young men and
women who are highly educated and talented, leave the country and go to a foreign country in
search of better income.

10. Mention the progress achieved in secondary education in post independent India.
A. There has been a phenomenal exapansion of secondary education from 7288 schools in 1950-
51 to 61,314 schools in 1985-96.
The number of teachers was increased.
Residential, Navodaya, social welfare schools have been established.
It provided oppurtionities for students who left school before X class to complete their education
through open schools.

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III. Very short Question 1Mark.
1. How long did students have to study during ancient period ?
2. What were the colleges attached to temples called during ancient period ?
3. To which field is the work charak Samhita related ?
4. To which field is the work Sushruta Samhita related ?
5. Who was the author of the book 'Aryabhattiya' ?
6. Which language did Ashoka use in his edicts ?
7. In which language were the Buddhist cononcial writings ?
8. Under whose reign Islamic education was introduced in India ?
9. What were the institutions of higher eduation called in Islamic system of education ?
10. What were the institutions of elementary learning called in Islamic system of education ?
11. Who were invited from Multan to Delhi by Sikander Lodi in the midival period ?
12. Amir Khusrau was famous in which field ?
13. How was the educational system of Madrasas in medival period ?
14. Give an example for famous madrasa in medival period.
15. Who was the first British Governer General who has established Madarasa is Kolkatta for the
first time ?
16. In which year Macaulays' Minutes was framed ?
17. Who was the British Governer General who adopted English as the official language.
18. Who was the first governer general to decide to grant employment to Indians who had received
English education ?
19. In which year woods Despatch was formed ?
20. What was the Act that set aside one lakh rupees for the promotion of education in India ?
21. Which was the committee that suggested to set up universities in Bombay, Madras and Calcutta?
22. In which year were universities of Bombay, Madras and Kolkatta set up ?
23. In which year was the university of Punjab established ?
24. In which year was the university of Allahabad established ?
25. In which year the Indian universities Act was pased by the British Government ?

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26. In which year education was included in the concurrent list ?

27. Which article introduced compulsory and free education for children upto 14 years of age ?

28. What was the literacy rate till 1951 ?

29. What was the literacy rate in 2001 ?

30. What was the literacy rate of men is 2001 ?

31. What was the literacy rate of women in 2001 ?

32. What is known as the migration of educated men and women in search of better income, better
jobs and better working environment ?

33. In which year National educational policy was introduced ?

IV. Fill in the blanks

1. The process of learning generally began with a religious ceremony ..............

2. In the vedic period formal education was imparted in the ..............

3. In the ghatikas .............. was the medium of instruction in ancient period.

4. Ashoka used .............. language in his edicts.

5. Education in medival India was designed on the lines of tradition of education developed under
..............

6. .............. began to play an active role in providing education in the ancient period

7. Charaka became famous for ..............

8. Sushruta became famous for ..............

9. In Ancient period, Buddhist monasteries admitted students for .............. years.

10. In Ancient period, the colleges attached to temples were called as ..............

11. The person who wrote charaka samhita was ..............

12. The person who wrote Sushurta Samhita was ..............

13. The author of 'Aryabhattiya' book was ..............

14. Islamic system of education was developed under the reigm of ..............

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15. The institutions that provided elementary education were called as .............. is medival period.

16. The institutions that provided higher education were called as .............. is medival period.

17. In medival period the Makhtabs were run by ..............

18. In medival period the Madrasas were maintained by ..............

19. British Governer General .............. established Madrasa in Kolkatta in 1781.

20. Macaulays' Minutes was formed in.............. year.

21. British Governer General .............. adopted English as the official language of the government.

22. Woods despatch was formed in the year ..............

23. In .............. year, the universities of Bombay, Madras and calcutta were established.

24. University of Punjab was established in .............. year.

25. University of Allhabad was established in .............. year.

26. Indian Universities act was passed in .............. year.

27. In .............. year education was included in the concurrent list.

28. Article .............. introduced compulsory and free education for children of age group 6-14.

29. In 1951 the literacy rate of India was ..............

30. In 2001 the literacy rate of India was ..............

31. National Literacy mission was started in accordance with .............. policy.

V. Match the following.

1.
1. Guilds ( ) A. Elementary learning in Islamic education
2. Ghatikas ( ) B. Buddhist schools
3. Mukhatabs ( ) C. Brahminicial education
4. Madrasas ( ) D.Merchantile community
5. Biddhist monastives ( ) E. Jain schools
F. Higher learning centres in Islamic
education

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2.
(i) East India company charter Act ( ) A. 1968
(ii) Woods Dispatch ( ) B. 1904
(iii) Universities Act ( ) C. 1986
(iv) National education policy ( ) D. 1813
(v) New National poily on education ( ) E. 1835
F. 1854

VI. Multiple Choise

1. In the ancient period, education was imparted ................. ( )

a) written b) partically c) Orally d) Through actions

2. Charaka became famous for ................. ( )

a) Medicine b) Surgery c) Geography d) Astrology

3. Sushruta became famous for ................. ( )

a) Medicene b) Surgery c) Geography d) Astrology

4. Which of the following was the medium of instruction in Brahminicial

education provided by Ghatikas ( )
a) Prakriti b) Sanskriti c) Tamil d) Telugu

5. The author of Aryabhattiya was ( )

a) Bhaskaracharya b) Ramanujan c) Aryabhatta d) Charaka

6. Aryabhattiya was in .............. language ( )

a) Sanskrit b) Prakrit c) Kannada d) Tamil

7. Islamic system of education was started is the region of ................. ( )

a) Britishers b) Mughals c) Mauryans d) Delhi sultanate

8. The institutions that provided elementary education were known as .................

in Islamic system of education. ( )
a) Mukhtabs b) Madarasas c) Ghatikas d) Ashrams

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 9. The institutions that provided secondary education were known as .................
is Islamic system of eduation ( )
a) Mukhtabs b) Madrasas c) Ghatikas d) Ashrams
10. British Governer General ................. established Madarasa for the first time in Kolkatta ( )
a) William Bentick b) Dallhouse c) Warren Hastings d) Harding
11. East India company act was introduced in year ................. ( )
a) 1800 b) 1803 c) 1810 d) 1813
12. Macaulays' minutes was framed in the year................. ( )
a) 1813 b) 1835 c) 1844 d) 1854
13. British Governer General who adopted english as official language ( )
a) William Bentick b) Dalhouse c) Waren Hastingsd) Harding
14. Woods Dispatch was framed in the year ................. ( )
a) 1813 b) 1835 c) 1844 d) 1854
15. Universities Act was introduced in the year ................. ( )
a) 1854 b) 1857 c) 1904 d) 1901
16. Article .............. introduced compulsory & free education for children
of age group 6-14 years ( )
a) 40 b) 41 c) 42 d) 45
17. Literacy rate of India in 2001 ( )
a) 57.3% b) 60.3% c) 65.3% d) 63.3%
18. National literacy mission was introduced in accordance with ................. committee. ( )
a) 1968 National education policy b) 1986 New National policy on education
c) Modaliyar commission d) Kothari commission
Answers :
III.
1. 10 years 2. Ghatikas
3. Medicine 4. Medicine
5. Aryabhatta 6. Prakrili
7. Prakriti, Pali 8. Delhi Sultanate

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 9. Madrasa 10. Mukhatabul
11. Sheik Abdullah, Sheik Ajibullah 12. Writing Prose and Poetry

13. Memorising & disscussing 14. Muizzi, Nasiri, Firuji

15. Warren Hastings 16. 1835

17. William Bentick 18. Lord Harding

19. 1854 20. East India company's charter Act of 1813

21. Woods Dispatch 1854 22. 1857

23. 1882 24. 1887

25. 1904 26. 1976

27. Article 45 28. 16.6%

29. 65.3% 30. 75.85%

31. 54.16% 32. Brain Drain

33. 1986

IV.

1. Upanayana 2. Ashram

2. Sanskrit 4. Prakrit

5. Abbasids of Baghdad 6. Gulds

7. Charaka 8. Sushruta

9. 10 years 10. Ghatikas

11. Charaka 12. Sushruta

13. Aryabhatta 14. Delhi Sultanate

15. Mukhtabas 16. Madrasas

17. Public donations 18. Rulers &Nobles

19. Warren Hastings 20. 1835

21. William Bentick 22. 1854

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23. 1857 24. 1882

25. 1887 26. 1904

27. 1976 28. 45

29. 16.6% 30. 65.3%

31. New National Education policy 1986.

V.1 (i) D (ii) C (iii) A (iv) F (v) B
2. (i) D (ii) F (iii) B (iv) A (v) C

VI.

1.C 2.A 3.B 4.B 5.C 6. A 7.D 8.A 9.B

10.C 11.D 12.B 13.A 14.D 15.C 16.D 17.C 18.B

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