प्राचीन भारत में शिक्षा (डॉ. ए.एस. अल्तेकर - गुरुकुल एवं बौद्ध विहार शिक्षण इतिहास)

104 EDUCATION IN ANCIENT INDIA [Ch.
been since times immemorial famous centres of
learning ; the pilgrim traffic supplied a subsidiary
source of income to the famous teachers residing there.
It is this circumstance that made Benares, Kāñchī,
Nasik, Karhāṭaka, etc. famous centres of learning.
Sometimes kings used to found colonies of learned
Brahmanas by inviting them to settle in a new village
and providing for their maintenance. Such villages
were known as agrahāra villages and they naturally
became centres of learning. Causes that led to the
development of centres of education in monasteries
and temples have been already explained in Chap. IV.
It is proposed to give a short and succinct account
of important centres and institutions of education
in this chapter. The places have been arranged from
the point of their importance and antiquity.
TAXILA¹
Prehistoric Times :— Taxila, situated about 20
miles west of Rawalpindi, was undoubtedly the most
important and ancient seat of learning in Ancient
India. It was the capital of the important province
of Gandhāra and its history goes back into hoary
antiquity. It was founded by Bharata and named
after his son Taksha, who was established there as
its ruler². Janamejaya’s serpent sacrifice was
perfomed at this very place.³ Not much is known
of its early educational activities; but by the 7th
century B. C., it was a famous seat of learning,
attracting scholars from distant cities like Rājagṛiha,
Benares, and Mithilā. It was famous for its
philosophers in the days of Alexander the Great.

1. The correct ancient spelling of the city's name is Takshaśilā.
   The popular present-day spelling is used in the book.
2. Rāmāyaṇa VII, 101, 10-16
3. Mbh., I, 3, 20