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

140 EDUCATION IN ANCIENT INDIA [Ch.
the end of this period the higher education of the
cultured classes received a great impetus and en-
couragement by the rise of organised public schools
and colleges. On account of the liberal support which
these institutions received from the state and society,
they were able to impart free education. Several
colleges for higher education became famous centres of
education, which in the course of time began to artract
students from abroad as well. The training in
practical sciences like sculpture and architecture,
medicine and matallurgy was still very efficient, if
somewhat narrow.
THE AGE OF THE PURĀṆAS AND NIBANDHAS.
(C. 500 A. D.—1200 A. D )
Educational Achievements of the Age :—India
continued to enjoy the reputation of an international
centre of education during this period also. Down to
c. 900 A. D. Tibetan and Chinese students continued
to flock in her eastern Universities, and her doctors
used to be summoned in Western Asia for curing royal
patients and organising state hospitals. Education
had not become mere book learning ; Indian teachers
excited admiration of foreign students by their remark-
able powers of explanation and exposition. Graduates
of this period were remarkable for their logical acumen
and mastery in Sanskrit, though the latter was no
longer the spoken tongue. Facilities for free higher
education continued to be ample ; if with the decline
of Buddhism the number of monastic colleges decreas-
ed, the loss was more than compensated by the rise of
numerous temple colleges. Brahmacharya discipline no
doubt became nominal owing to early marriages ; even
married students, however, showed commendable per-
severance in pursuing protracted courses of studies. Poor