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

196 EDUCATION IN ANCIENT INDIA [Ch.
duties were relatively light. The needs of the people
of the various localities were to be carefully studied
with a view to find out possible markets. A knowledge
of different places and occasions of fares and
pilgrimages was also imparted as it was necssary in
this connection. The knowledge of the relative prices
of different articles in different provinces and countries
was also regarded as essential. Students were also
taught the exchange value of articles and also of
different currencies in various provinces and countries.
Those who intended to deal with inter-provincial or
inter-national trade were also given a working
knowledge of the necessary languages. Principles of
banking also formed part of the course. It is difficult
to determine the percentage of persons in the trading
community who received so wide an education. In
the hereditary trading families of high status, all this
education may have been a reality ; much of it must
have been unconsciously picked up by the youths
in the family shops. In the case of petty merchants
the extent of the education was probably determined
by the needs of the situation.
Agencies of Education :—During the first millen-
nium of the Christian era, most of the trades in the
country had formed very efficient guilds. One of them
is known to have maintained an Arts college in Karna-
tak during the 12th century A.D.¹ It is however
strange to find that the commercial guilds should not
have organised and managed commercial schools and
colleges. The reason however is not far to seek.
Down to the 5th century A.D. organised educational
institutions did not exist even for literary courses.
When they became fairly common in the country a
1 I.A., Vol. VIII, p. 195.