Magadh : Early Education System

Contents: 1. Introduction. 2. A brief history of Bihar. 3. Vedic education system and its management. 4. Post Vedic education system and its management. 5. Education system and its management under the Mauryas. 6. Education system and its management in post Maurya and Gupta times. 7. Education system and its management in post Gupta times up to 1206 A.D. 8. Conclusion. Select bibliography.

Magadha has rich tradition of learning since ancient times. An attempt has been made in this book to give a clear picture of educational system and its management in Magadha from earliest times to 1206 A.D. A period wise development has been critically analysed. For this purpose a comparative study of literary sources of all categories-secular texts as well as religious Vedic, Buddhist, Jain and Tantric texts have been fully examined. Apart from literary sources, archaeological evidences have also been utilized to corroborate evidences gleaned from literary texts.

Besides the centers of Brahmanical education Buddhist monasteries developed into big educational institutions. By the time of the Guptas, we have positive evidence that for the first time in India rather than in the world the first University in the real sense was established at Nalanda in the 5th Century A.D.
 
Apart from Nalanda Mahavihara the monasteries at Pataliputra, Rajagrha, Vajrasana, Tiladhka, Kukkutapada giri Vihar Kurkihar Odantapuri and Vikramasila Mahavihara were also important centers of education. Different aspects of these educational centers particularly their organizations, course content and students has been examined contributions of members of monk teachers has also been highlighted. Recent archaeological excavations at antichak Bhagalpur the site of Vikramasila University, which throw new and refreshing light on Vikramasila Mahavihara has also been incorporated in this work. The intellectual traditions of Mithila have also been traced in this book. (jacket)