Gurukuls were institutions of learning in ancient India and their purpose was to impart education to young boys of Vedic period. The word “gurukul” is derived from two Sanskrit words: Derived from “guru”, meaning teacher and “kul”, meaning family or dwelling. Here students were embodied with their teachers and they were taught different subjects like the Vedas, philosophy, religion, law, astronomy, astrology and medicine etc. The gurukuls were not only places where knowledge was imparted but were the inception points of India’s knowledge and philosophy systems.
The Concept of Gurukuls
Learners there therefore embraced the gurukul system of education with the view of gaining academic knowledge as well as molding their character through acquiring virtues and interpersonal skills. They were called shishyas and stayed with the guru; they had behavioural and time restraints; studying, doing chores, free discussions and debates. Being intimate in nature it established a direct relationship between the guru and the shishyas that assured individual attention and direction.
Notable Gurukuls in Ancient India
Several gurukuls stood out for their contributions to various fields of knowledge. Here are some of the most famous ones:
1. Takshashila Gurukul
Takshashila or called Taxila, was one of the oldest and most famous gurukuls of ancient India. Claimed to be located in the territory that is now in Pakistan, it was founded at around 700 BC. This gurukul was famous for learning and had students coming to it from all the corners of the world due to its great achievements in medicine, math, astronomy, and politics. undefined
Chanakya: Chanakya was educated in economics and political science and is credited with having written Arthashastra, a book on statecraft and wars.
Charaka: Another significant medical figure Charaka whose work in the form of Charaka Samhita is considered the basic Ayurveda.
Jivaka: Kumara Jivaka was an exceptional medical figure, a close associate, and the personal physician of Buddha who was also a skilled surgeon and physician.
2. Nalanda Gurukul
Nalanda, founded in the 5th century AD was the other famous gurukul situated in the region of present day Bihar, India. It was a well-known institution for Buddhist learning, philosophy and logic. It is believed that Nalanda University had a library of over 9 million books amongst which there were rare manuscripts. undefined
Nagarjuna: A world-renowned philosopher and the founder of the Madhyamaka school of Mahayana Buddhism.
Aryadeva: Aryadevas was another great Buddhist philosopher who studied under Nagarjuna.
Vasubandhu: A renowned philosopher and an important figure in Buddhism, an initiator of the Yogachara current of the Mahayana branch of Buddhism.
3. Vaishali Gurukul
Vaishali was one of the major and large early cities in India known for being the only one with a democratic form of government. The Vaishali Gurukul was set up in 6th century BC and was one of the finest Gurukuls that imparted education in law, political system and philosophy. The gurukul was managed by the council of scholars and it admitted children from all over the country. Prominent figures associated with Vaishali include:Prominent figures associated with Vaishali include:
Mahavira: The spiritual teacher and the founder of Jainism religion who is considered the twenty fourth Tirthankara.
Ananda: A main disciple of Buddha, famous for his ability to memorize things and for eloquence.
4. Kanchi Gurukul
Gurukul was an effective system of education that prevailed in the ancient India and one of the well-known ancient residential institutions is Kanchi which was founded in 4th century BC. It was famous for the very high performance standards especially in the areas of music, dancing and writing. The gurukul was run by a panel of musicians and dancers and had students coming in from different part of the country. Distinguished personalities from Kanchi include:Distinguished personalities from Kanchi include:
Bharata: An ancient Indian text that describes performing arts especially drama is called Natyashastra was written by him.
The Educational Curriculum of Gurukuls
The curriculum in gurukuls was comprehensive, covering a wide range of subjects:
- Vedas and Upanishads: Students learned the sacred texts and philosophical discourses that form the foundation of Hinduism.
- Philosophy and Religion: Discourses on various philosophical systems and religious practices were integral to the education.
- Astronomy and Astrology: Gurukuls imparted knowledge of celestial bodies, their movements, and their influence on human life.
- Law and Politics: Legal principles and political science were taught to groom future leaders and administrators.
- Medicine: Ayurveda and other traditional medical practices were key components of the curriculum.
- Arts and Literature: Music, dance, and literary arts were also emphasized, particularly in specialized gurukuls like Kanchi.
The Legacy and Influence of Gurukuls
Here we elucidates how the gurukul system was vital for maintaining and disseminating knowledge from one generation to another. This intellectative resource developed some of the most significant scholars, philosophers and leaders who have carved a niche in India’s historical heritage. The over all system of education followed in gurukuls was such that overall personality was shaped, integrated with cerebral, physical and spiritual faculties.
Impact on Modern Education
Studying the gurukul system of education one can still see how modern education processes have been formed. Some of the elements which are closely related to the principle of modern educational institutions include the focus on the close contact between a teacher and students, as well personal and balanced development of the child, and the use of numerous practical activities. Moreover, the old annals and the traditional wisdom that have been kept alive through the gurukuls are part of the present academic learning and investigations.
Revival of Gurukuls
Today, efforts have been made to reintroduce gurukul system again in today’s world with many of its bad commandments. There are several institutions in India today which are loosely based on the gurukul system of learning which also incorporates the conventional education system. These new generation gurukuls are in an attempt to deliver education that enriches the students in a way that is mental, emotional and spiritual.
Gurukuls formed one of the most crucial establishments in the Indian education system that laid out the structure of the country’s culture and intelligence. They were hubs of learning and spearheaded all sciences and arts disciplines and churned out legends such as scholars and philosophers of the society. Despite the passing of so many years, Today’s structure of modern education in India still holds the seed of gurukul system and is appreciated all over the world. By learning more about this history or these ancient institutions, people will be able to realize that the forefathers of human society were so wise to create a model of education that is not only innovate but can also sustain for quite a very long time.