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

Chapter VI.
HIGHER LITERARY EDUCATION.:
Curriculum, method of teaching and examinations.
Subjects and methods of study in the early Vedic period- And in
the later Vedic period-The method of study changes at c. 1000 B. C.
New topics of study-Combination of liberal and useful education-
Vedic studies in the 1st millennium A D —An age of specialisation-
Ascendancy of Sanskrit-Courses in grammar, astrology, literature,
Smritis, Purāṇas, logic and philosophy-Courses for laymen and monks
in Buddhist colleges-Selection of text-books.
Method of teaching and study-Books normally not available,
hence the oral method of instruction-Importance of recitation and
recapitulation-Texts memorised bnt not crammed-Great importance
attached to exposition and debate-Individual attention-Help of
monitors-No annual or final examinations-No degrees and diplomas-
Competitive element kept within limit.
Introductory : The history of ancient Indian
education is spread over several millennia and we
therefore naturally find considerable changes taking
place in the curricula in the course of centuries. This
is but natural ; for the curriculum is intimately
connected with the achievements and aspirations of a
people. When the outlook on life changes or when
new branches of knowledge are developed, extensive
changes become inevitable in the curriculum followed
in schools and colleges. In the present chapter, we
shall indicate the main topics of study on the literary
side, point out the changes in the curricula that took
place in the different ages, discuss the methods of
study and teaching and ascertain what importance
was attached to examinations.
EARLY VEDIC AGE (C. upto 1500 B. C.)
Subjects of Study : The Vedic literature naturally