Comprehension Check (Page 92)
Q1. Why were travelers attracted to India?
Ans. Travelers were attracted to India because of its rich culture, wealth, religions, philosophies, art, architecture, and advanced education system. Ancient India’s traditions and knowledge were widely recognized, and its education system offered guidance and inspiration, making India a land of wonder and fascination.
Q2. What were the sources of the ancient education system?
Ans. The ancient Indian education system drew from sources like the Vedas, Brahmanas, Upanishads, and Dharmasutras. It also included the works of scholars like Aryabhata, Panini, Katyayana, and Patanjali. Medical texts by Charaka and Sushruta, along with disciplines like history (Itihas), logic (Anviksiki), architecture (Shilpashastra), polity (Arthashastra), agriculture, and archery (Dhanurvidya), contributed to learning.
Q3. What were the features of the education system in ancient India?
Ans. The ancient Indian education system emphasized learning the Vedas and Upanishads, understanding duties toward oneself, family, and society, and developing both intellectual and physical abilities. It promoted a healthy mind and body, encouraged practical knowledge, and was well-integrated into daily life.
Q4. What was the role of the guru in pupils’ lives?
Ans. Gurus played a vital role in pupils’ lives. They guided students in mastering various subjects and organized debates (Shastrartha) to assess understanding. Older students helped younger ones, creating a peer-learning environment. Students lived with their guru, learning discipline, self-reliance, and values. This bond fostered a supportive environment for intellectual and personal growth.
Comprehension Check (Page 97)
Q1. Where did the nuns and monks receive their education?
Ans. Nuns and monks received their education at monasteries or viharas, which were centers for meditation, scholarly debates, and art. These institutions met their deep desire for knowledge through discussions and study.
Q2. What is Panini known for?
Ans. Panini was a renowned Sanskrit grammarian known for his monumental work on grammar, Ashtadhyayi. His contributions to phonetics, morphology, and phonology earned him the title “Father of Linguistics.”
Q3. Which university did Xuan Zang and I-Qing study at?
Ans. Chinese scholars Xuan Zang and I-Qing studied at Nalanda University in the 7th century CE, a prominent center of higher learning.
Q4. Which subject did Xuan Zang study in India?
Ans. Xuan Zang studied Yogashastra, grammar, logic, and Sanskrit at Nalanda University in India.
Q5. How did society help in the education of the students?
Ans. Knowledge was considered sacred, so education was offered free of charge, supported by donations from wealthy merchants, affluent parents, and society. Rich individuals contributed land and buildings to universities, while ancient institutions like Valabhi, Vikramshila, and Jagaddala offered free education.
Exercise (Page 97) – Discussion Questions
Q1. Which salient features of the ancient education system of India made it globally renowned?
Ans. The ancient Indian education system focused on holistic development, covering spiritual, physical, moral, and intellectual aspects. It emphasized values like truthfulness, humility, self-reliance, discipline, and respect for nature, along with duties towards oneself and society.
Q2. Why do you think students from other countries came to India to study at that time?
Ans. Students from countries like China, Korea, Tibet, and Nepal came to India due to its rich knowledge resources, cultural heritage, and advanced centers for higher learning, such as monasteries, viharas, and Takshashila, which taught Buddhist teachings and other subjects.
Q3. Why is education considered a way of life?
Ans. Education was a way of life as it was integrated into daily life, offered through informal means in homes, villages, temples, and formal institutions like gurukuls, pathshalas, and chatuspadis, which encouraged adopting pious and ideal ways of living.
Q4. What do you understand by holistic education?
Ans. Holistic education aims to develop both the inner and outer aspects of an individual, covering physical, spiritual, intellectual, and artistic dimensions. In ancient India, this approach promoted all-around development to prepare individuals for life.
Q5. Why do you think Takshashila and Nalanda have been declared heritage sites?
Ans. Takshashila and Nalanda were declared heritage sites due to their significance as centers of advanced learning and their historical contributions. Takshashila was a prestigious city for education, and Nalanda was a major learning center for centuries, symbolizing India’s educational legacy.
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