The Gupta Empire - Education

The Gupta period is known for the great importance that was give to education. The Guptas founded and patronized several universities of higher learning. The universities had such a high standard of education, that India soon became a centre for learning, and students from across the world came to study in these universities. Some of the prominent ones of the period were Nalanda (which being a large one offered a variety of courses), Takshila (the oldest one, it specialized in medicine), Vallabi (religious learning, law and medicine amongst others), Ujjain (astronomy), Ajanta (art, architecture and painting) and Sarnath (study of the Buddhist religion). We shall take a closer look at two of these universities, Nalanda and Takshila.

Nalanda: This university was established during the reign of the Guptas and became a major centre of learning. Nalanda covered a vast area of about 1280 square meters. The central college building had eight large halls and about three hundred apartments attached to it. There were good library facilities. Nalanda had excellent infrastructure which included a great complex of hostels, lecture halls etc. Nalanda had a student community of about nine thousand and a teaching community of about one thousand. This gave the university the amazing 1:9 teacher to student ratio which speaks volumes of the quality of education

imparted. Nalanda was a premier university and only twenty percent of applicants were able to secure a place. Students were provided free of cost education and complete board and lodging as well as other essentials like clothes and medicine. There were several subjects and it was a comprehensive curriculum. Although examinations were held, a student was only allowed to return home once his teachers were completely satisfied with his progress. The mode of instruction was largely verbal, and the students would use the library for reference purposes. Debate and discussion formed an important part of the learning process. Nalanda had extensive library facilities, boasting of three excellent libraries. They were known as Ratna-Sagara (sea of gems), Ratnaodahi (ocean of gems) and Ratnaranjaka (collection of gems).

Takshila: Takshila has the distinction of being one of the first centers of higher learning in the world. It was established many years before the arrival of the Guptas, evidence indicates that it may have existed in 300 BC, when Alexander the Great entered India. One of its most famous pupils was Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Mauryan Dynasty.

Takshila was organized differently from Nalanda, it was not a formal college or university. Instead there were renowned teachers who taught various subjects like medicine, astronomy, astrology, commerce accountancy, law, magic, music, painting, crafts, archery and the study of the Vedas. Students would come to Takshila and take up education in their chosen subject with their teacher directly. Students sought admission when they were about 16. Unlike Nalanda they were supposed to pay for their expenses. However, if a student was unable to pay then he could work for his teacher.

The Gupta period is known for the great importance that was give to education. The Guptas founded and patronized several universities of higher learning. The universities had such a high standard of education, that India soon became a centre for learning, and students from across the world came to study in these universities. Some of the prominent ones of the period were Nalanda (which being a large one offered a variety of courses), Takshila (the oldest one, it specialized in medicine), Vallabi (religious learning, law and medicine amongst others), Ujjain (astronomy), Ajanta (art, architecture and painting) and Sarnath (study of the Buddhist religion). We shall take a closer look at two of these universities, Nalanda and Takshila.

Nalanda: This university was established during the reign of the Guptas and became a major centre of learning. Nalanda covered a vast area of about 1280 square meters. The central college building had eight large halls and about three hundred apartments attached to it. There were good library facilities. Nalanda had excellent infrastructure which included a great complex of hostels, lecture halls etc. Nalanda had a student community of about nine thousand and a teaching community of about one thousand. This gave the university the amazing 1:9 teacher to student ratio which speaks volumes of the quality of education imparted. Nalanda was a premier university and only twenty percent of applicants were able to secure a place. Students were provided free of cost education and complete board and lodging as well as other essentials like clothes and medicine. There were several subjects and it was a comprehensive curriculum. Although examinations were held, a student was only allowed to return home once his teachers were completely satisfied with his progress. The mode of instruction was largely verbal, and the students would use the library for reference purposes. Debate and discussion formed an important part of the learning process. Nalanda had extensive library facilities, boasting of three excellent libraries. They were known as Ratna-Sagara (sea of gems), Ratnaodahi (ocean of gems) and Ratnaranjaka (collection of gems).

Takshila: Takshila has the distinction of being one of the first centers of higher learning in the world. It was established many years before the arrival of the Guptas, evidence indicates that it may have existed in 300 BC, when Alexander the Great entered India. One of its most famous pupils was Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Mauryan Dynasty.

Takshila was organized differently from Nalanda, it was not a formal college or university. Instead there were renowned teachers who taught various subjects like medicine, astronomy, astrology, commerce accountancy, law, magic, music, painting, crafts, archery and the study of the Vedas. Students would come to Takshila and take up education in their chosen subject with their teacher directly. Students sought admission when they were about 16. Unlike Nalanda they were supposed to pay for their expenses. However, if a student was unable to pay then he could work for his teacher.