Chapter 8 – Ancient Education System of India Solutions

Content Structure

  • 1. Word meanings
  • 2. Comprehension Check
    • Unit – I
    • Unit – II
  • 3. Exercise questions & answers
  • 4. Additional questions & answers
    • Multiple choice questions & answers (MCQs)
      • Unit – I
      • Unit – II
    • Fill in the blanks
    • True or false
    • Match the following
    • Short-type questions & answers
      • Unit – I
      • Unit – II
    • Long-type questions & answers

1. Word meanings

Word Meanings
Evolved Slowly changed and improved
Holistic developmentGrowth in every way (body, mind, and skills)
IntellectualRelated to thinking and learning
EmphasisedGave special importance to something
UpanishadsOld Indian books about life and wisdom
DistinctionA special quality
InterpretationUnderstanding and explaining something
ConscientiouslyDoing something carefully and honestly
ProficientVery good at something
Indigenous educationLearning from local culture and traditions
ImbibingLearning in ideas
StrengthenedMade stronger
EmphasisGiving importance to something
DimensionsDifferent parts of something
EnrichingMaking more valuable
RenownedVery famous
SummoningCalling someone to come
GlimpsesQuick looks at something
SummonTo call someone
PupilsStudents
ExponentA supporter of an idea
Arduous journeyA very difficult and tiring trip
AutonomyFreedom to make own decisions
StatecraftThe skill of running a country
DebateA formal discussion with different opinions
ChancellorA leader of a university
FlourishedGrew well and became successful
CentralisedControlled from one main place
MultilingualKnowing many languages
MulticulturalIncluding different cultures
ContemporaryRelated to the present time

2. Comprehension Check

Unit – I

1. Why were travellers attracted towards India?
Ans: Travellers came to India because it was known for its rich culture, knowledge, and famous learning centers like Nalanda and Takshashila. They were excited to learn about Indian customs, explore its beautiful landscapes, and visit ancient cities and spiritual sites.

2. What were the sources of the ancient education system?
Ans: The Vedas, Upanishads, and other religious texts were important sources of learning in ancient India. In addition, people learned from gurus in ashrams and gurukuls, where they gained knowledge through stories, discussions, and lessons.

3. What were the features of education system in ancient India?
Ans: In ancient India, education was practical and focused on overall development. Students studied subjects like mathematics, science, medicine, and the arts. They lived with their teacher in a gurukul or ashram, where learning came not only from books but also from daily activities, discipline, and real-life experiences shared by the teacher.

4. What was the role of guru in pupils’ lives?
Ans: The guru played the role of a parent in each student’s life. In the gurukul, the guru taught important values such as discipline, honesty, good manners, and ways to live a meaningful life.

Unit – II

1. Where did nuns and monks receive their education?
Ans: Nuns and monks received their education in temples, which were important places where they lived, prayed, and learned. They studied religion, good values, meditation, and other subjects from kind and knowledgeable teachers.

2. What is Panini known for?
Ans: Panini was a great Indian grammarian who wrote the rules of Sanskrit grammar in a book called Ashtadhyayi. His work helped people read, write, and speak Sanskrit correctly. He was a teacher at Takshashila University.

3. Which university did Xuan Zang and I-Qing study at?
Ans: Xuan Zang and I-Qing studied at Nalanda University, one of the oldest and most respected universities in ancient India. People from many different countries traveled there to gain knowledge, study important subjects like religion, philosophy, and science, and learn from knowledgeable and respected teachers.

4. Which subject did Xuan Zang study in India?
Ans: Xuan Zang came to Nalanda University to study Yogashastra. He stayed there for many years, learning about yoga, meditation, and Indian philosophy from experienced teachers and monks.

5. How did society help in the education of the students?
Ans: In ancient India, society played an important role in helping students learn. People in the community gave food, clothes, and a place to stay to the students who were living and studying in gurukuls or ashrams. They believed that supporting education was a good act, so they happily helped students focus on their studies without worrying about their daily needs.

3. Exercise questions & answers

Discuss the following questions in small groups and write your answers.

1. Which salient features of the ancient education system of India made it globally renowned?
Ans: The ancient Indian education system was famous for focusing on good values, discipline, and holistic learning. Students studied subjects like arts, medicine, and science, and they also learned good behavior, respect, and wisdom. Many students from different places came to study at gurukuls and famous universities like Takshashila and Nalanda.

2. Why do you think students from other countries came to India to study at that time?
Ans: Students from other countries came to India to study because there were famous universities like Takshashila and Nalanda. In these places, teachers used debates and discussions to teach, which helped students understand things better. They also taught many subjects like history, math, medicine, and science.

3. Why is education considered ‘a way of life’?
Ans: Education is called ‘a way of life’ because it is not just about learning from books. It helps us think, act wisely, and make good choices. It teaches us honesty, kindness, and respect, helping us become better people.

4. What do you understand by holistic education?
Ans: Holistic education means children learn using both their minds and bodies. In the ancient education system, teachers focused on the overall growth of students, so they taught more than just book lessons. This kind of learning helped students become smarter and also taught them life values like responsibility, discipline, and good behavior.

5. Why do you think Takshashila and Nalanda have been declared heritage sites?
Ans: Takshashila and Nalanda were two of the world’s oldest and most famous universities, so they have been declared heritage sites. Students from different countries came to study there. These universities played an important role in spreading knowledge and wisdom, so they are kept safe as an important part of history.

4. Additional questions & answers

Multiple choice questions & answers (MCQs)

Unit – I

1. Why did travellers from different places visit India in ancient times?
(a) To see India’s rich culture
(b) To gain knowledge
(c) Both a & b
(d) None of the above

Ans: (c) Both a & b

2. What was India known as to travelers from other regions?
(a) A land of wonder
(b) A land of deserts
(c) A land of storms
(d) A land of darkness

Ans: (a) A land of wonder

3. What kind of education system existed in ancient India?
(a) Formal
(b) Informal
(c) Both a & b
(d) None of the above

Ans: (c) Both a & b

4. What was the teaching method used in ancient education?
(a) Only using memorization
(b) Oral learning and memorization
(c) Using books and pens
(d) Using chalk and slates

Ans: (b) Oral learning and memorization

5. What was taught in gurukuls besides studies?
(a) Only discipline
(b) Discipline and daily life skills
(c) Only science subjects
(d) Cooking food

Ans: (b) Discipline and daily life skills

6. Where did students go for higher education?
(a) Shopping centers
(b) Gurukul
(c) Viharas and universities
(d) Movie theaters

Ans: (c) Viharas and universities

7. Which book was a source of education in ancient India?
(a) Vedas
(b) History book
(c) All subject books
(d) Mathematics book

Ans: (a) Vedas

8. Who was known for medical writings?
(a) Patanjali
(b) Charaka and Sushruta
(c) Aryabhata
(d) Panini

Ans: (b) Charaka and Sushruta

9. Which famous scholar wrote about grammar?
(a) Panini
(b) Aryabhata
(c) Sushruta
(d) Charaka

Ans: (a) Panini

10. What was a shastrartha?
(a) A book of rules
(b) A food festival
(c) A magic spell
(d) A learned debate

Ans: (d) A learned debate

11. What is Arthashastra related to?
(a) Polity and governance
(b) Cooking food
(c) Playing music
(d) Astronomy

Ans: (a) Polity and governance

12. What was taught under dhanurvidya?
(a) Singing
(b) Dancing
(c) Archery and war skills
(d) Cooking

Ans: (c) Archery and war skills

13. What was the key value taught in ancient education?
(a) Self-discipline and respect
(b) How to cheat
(c) Only earning money
(d) Fighting with others

Ans: (a) Self-discipline and respect

14. Who was a famous Vedic woman scholar?
(a) Gargi
(b) Panini
(c) Aryabhata
(d) Charaka

Ans: (a) Gargi

Unit – II

1. Which countries sent students to Indian learning centers?
(a) Burma and Ceylon
(b) China and Korea
(c) Tibet and Nepal
(d) All of the above

Ans: (d) All of the above

2. Which famous universities existed in ancient India?
(a) Nalanda and Takshashila
(b) Oxford and Harvard
(c) Vikramshila and Jagaddala
(d) Both a & c

Ans: (d) Both a & c

3. Who supported education in ancient times?
(a) Only teachers
(b) Only students
(c) Kings and society
(d) Only traders

Ans: (c) Kings and society

4. Which places had learning centers linked to temples?
(a) Benaras and Kanchi
(b) Nalanda and Vikramshila
(c) Jagaddala and Valabhi
(d) None of the above

Ans: (a) Benaras and Kanchi

5. Who was Jivaka?
(a) A famous warrior
(b) A great physician
(c) A king of India
(d) A poet

Ans: (b) A great physician

6. What was Chanakya known for?
(a) Music
(b) Statecraft
(c) Farming
(d) Teaching yoga

Ans: (b) Statecraft

7. Who discovered the ruins of Takshashila?
(a) Chanakya
(b) Alexander Cunningham
(c) Panini
(d) Jivaka

Ans: (b) Alexander Cunningham

8. Where is Takshashila located now?
(a) India
(b) Pakistan
(c) Nepal
(d) China

Ans: (b) Pakistan

9. When was Takshashila declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
(a) 1800
(b) 1900
(c) 1980
(d) 2000

Ans: (c) 1980

10. What is the full form of UNESCO?
(a) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(b) Universal National Education, Science and Culture Organization
(c) United Nations Economic, Social and Cultural Organization
(d) Union of Nations for Education, Science, and Culture

Ans: (a) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

11. What was the main way of teaching at Nalanda?
(a) Silent reading
(b) Debate and discussions
(c) Watching videos
(d) Writing on boards

Ans: (b) Debate and discussions

12. Which famous traveler visited Nalanda?
(a) Marco Polo
(b) Vasco da Gama
(c) Xuan Zang
(d) Confucius

Ans: (c) Xuan Zang

13. Which subject did Xuan Zang study at Nalanda?
(a) Mathematics
(b) Medicine
(c) Yogashastra
(d) Music

Ans: (c) Yogashastra

14. Who was the chancellor of Nalanda University?
(a) Panini
(b) Shilabhadra
(c) Aryabhata
(d) Kautilya

Ans: (b) Shilabhadra

15. Where is Nalanda located today?
(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Bihar
(c) Gujarat
(d) Maharashtra

Ans: (b) Bihar

16. Between which centuries did Nalanda exist?
(a) 1st–5th century CE
(b) 5th–12th century CE
(c) 10th–15th century CE
(d) 12th–18th century CE

Ans: (b) 5th–12th century CE

17. Who supported education financially?
(a) Rich merchants
(b) Society
(c) Wealthy parents
(d) All of the above

Ans: (d) All of the above

18. What were Ghatikas?
(a) Small learning centers
(b) Schools for girls
(c) Houses for kings
(d) Trading places

Ans: (a) Small learning centers

19. What did students learn in ancient schools?
(a) Physical training
(b) Spiritual knowledge
(c) Intellectual skills
(d) All of the above

Ans: (d) All of the above

20. What were chatuspadis?
(a) Training centers for soldiers
(b) Schools in Bihar
(c) Ancient banks
(d) Music schools

Ans: (b) Schools in Bihar

Fill in the blanks

1. In ancient India, knowledge was considered _____________. (sacred)
2. ____________ were small places for learning, including religious studies. (Ghatikas)
3. Pathshalas were schools in ___________ India. (Western)
4. The ancient education system was mostly ___________ and ___________. (oral; practical)
5. Students learned many subjects like ___________, ___________, and astronomy. (medicine; law)
6. ___________ was located in present-day Bihar. (Nalanda University)
7. ___________ used debates and discussions as teaching methods. (Nalanda University)
8. ___________ and ___________ became part of education during the medieval period. (Maktabas; madrassas)
9. ___________ were learning centers in Bengal. (Tols)
10. Teachers had the ____________ to choose their students and subjects. (freedom)

True or false

1. In gurukuls, students and gurus had a good relationship like a family. (True)

2. Students came from other countries like China, Korea, and Tibet to study in Delhi. (False)

3. Guru teaches the students in the middle of the villages. (False)

4. In modern India, education was free for students. (False)

5. Kings and rich people help to build universities. (True)

6. Many students came from other countries by walking to study in India. (True)

7. Ancient Indian education taught boys and girls never read together. (False)

8. In Takshila, the teacher taught with debates and discussion. (True)

9. Education in ancient India helped students learn discipline and values of life like honesty. (True)

10. The ancient education system of India is still followed and respected in the modern education system. (True)

Match the following

Column AColumn B
(i) Nalanda and Takshashilaa) Education was free for students
(ii) In ancient Indiab) United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization
(iii) Vyayamaprakarac) Archery
(iv) Dhanurvidyad) Polity
(v) Arthashastrae) Exercises
(vi) UNESCOf) Were two famous ancient universities
(vii) Kavyasg) Logic
(viii) kridah) Agriculture, trade, commerce, animal husbandry
(ix) Vartai) Games, recreational activities
(x) Anviksikij) Imaginative and creative literature

Ans:

Column AColumn B
(i) Nalanda and Takshashilaf) Were two famous ancient universities
(ii) In ancient Indiaa) Education was free for students
(iii) Vyayamaprakarae) Exercises
(iv) Dhanurvidyac) Archery
(v) Arthashastrad) Polity
(vi) UNESCOb) United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization
(vii) Kavyasj) Imaginative and creative literature
(viii) kridai) Games, recreational activities
(ix) Vartah) Agriculture, trade, commerce, animal husbandry
(x) Anviksikig) Logic

Short-type questions & answers

Unit – I

1. Which subjects were taught to students in the ancient education system?
Ans: In the ancient education system, students learned many different subjects such as the Vedas, language, medicine, math, astronomy, law, and the skills needed for war.

2. Give 5 examples of sources of the ancient education system.
Ans: The ancient education system had many sources of learning, including:

  • The Vedas provided knowledge about life and the universe.
  • The Upanishads explained deep thoughts about life and spirituality.
  • The Brahmanas contained teachings on religious rituals and prayers.
  • The Dharmasutras taught rules and duties for living a good life.
  • Medical texts by Charaka and Sushruta gave knowledge about medicine and surgery.

3. Give 5 examples of prominent women Vedic scholars.
Ans: In ancient India, some women became great scholars and studied the Vedas.

  • Maitreyi – A philosopher and scholar of the Vedas.
  • Gargi – An expert in philosophy who engaged in deep discussions.
  • Apala – Known for her knowledge of spiritual teachings.
  • Viswambhara – A learned woman with deep understanding of Vedic texts.
  • Lopamudra – A scholar who composed hymns in the Rigveda.

4. What did students learn in a gurukul?
Ans: A gurukul was a place where students learned many important subjects and life skills. They studied religious books, archery using bows and arrows, music, art, and yoga to keep the body and mind healthy. They also learned about health, mathematics, and law, along with good values like honesty, discipline, respect for elders, and the importance of hard work in life.

5. Why did students live in a gurukul?
Ans: Students lived in a gurukul with their guru and other students, where they focused on learning not just from books but also through daily activities. Living together helped them develop important life skills like discipline, responsibility, and respect for others. They also learned the value of hard work.

6. When and where was the Rigveda discovered?
Ans: The Rigveda is one of the oldest texts in India. It was discovered about 150 years ago in Kashmir. At that time, it was written on birch bark, a kind of tree bark people used like paper. Today, you can find it safely kept in a library in Pune, Maharashtra.

7. What was the main focus of the ancient education system?
Ans: The main focus of the ancient education system was to help students grow intellectually, become more disciplined, develop good morals, stay healthy, and learn values like honesty, respect, and a deep connection with nature.

8. Describe holistic development.
Ans: Holistic development means that students learn in many ways, not just from books. It includes developing discipline, thinking skills, physical activity, and social skills. Students also learn important values like honesty and respect.

Unit – II

1. Why did students go to places like Nalanda and Takshashila?
Ans: Students went to renowned centers like Nalanda, Takshashila, and Vikramshila for higher education. These institutions offered advanced studies in subjects such as science, medicine, and philosophy.

2. Name 5 universities that gave free education in ancient times.
Ans: In ancient India, the five universities provided free education

  • Nalanda
  • Takshashila
  • Vikramshila
  • Valabhi
  • Jagaddala

3. Why was Takshashila famous?
Ans: Takshashila was famous because it was one of the oldest educational institutions in the world. Some of the most famous students who went there were Panini (a grammarian) and Chanakya (a political thinker). People from all over the world came to study subjects like science, medicine, and the law.

4. Why did kings and wealthy merchants give land as a gift?
Ans: Kings and wealthy merchants donated land to build schools and universities. They wanted to support students and teachers because they believed education was important. This land was used to create learning spaces such as universities and libraries.

5. Show 2 differences between ancient and modern education systems.
Ans:

Ancient education Modern education
(i) In ancient education, students learned by listening to their teacher and memorizing all lessons.(i) In modern education, students use books, computers, and the internet to learn.
(ii) Ancient education was free and focused on learning values and discipline. (ii) Modern education schools charge fees, and students learn different subjects with the help of technology.

Long-type questions & answers

1. Describe the education system of Takshashila University.
Ans: Takshashila University was one of the oldest and most renowned places of learning in ancient India, where people came to study under great teachers. Students from across India, as well as from distant lands like China, Greece, and Persia, traveled long distances to gain knowledge. The teaching methods used there were engaging, encouraging students to think deeply and actively participate in their learning.

Teachers at Takshashila were experts in subjects like philosophy, law, health, astronomy, mathematics, and military science. They didn’t just focus on memorization but encouraged students through discussions and debates. Renowned scholars such as Panini, an expert in grammar, Chanakya, a political thinker, and Jivaka, the doctor of Buddha, all gained knowledge here and also taught others.

2. Describe the education system of Nalanda University.
Ans: In ancient India, Nalanda University was a renowned center for higher education, located in present-day Bihar. Students from across the world, including China, Korea, and Tibet, traveled to study there.

  • Organizational Structure: Nalanda had a well-organized curriculum that covered subjects like arts, health, Buddhist studies, logic, astronomy, and grammar.
  • Expert Teachers: Students were taught through debates and discussions by renowned teachers such as Shilabhadra and Xuan Zang.
  • Vast Library: Nalanda was home to a huge library, which attracted scholars and students from all over the world.

3. What was the role of the community in education?
Ans: In ancient India, kings and wealthy merchants, along with others in the community, donated land for the establishment of learning centers.

  • Promoting Education for All: In society, experts were respected, and education was seen as an essential part of life.
  • Financial Support: Wealthy traders and kings donated land, money, and buildings to support and expand learning centers.
  • Maintaining Learning Centers: People worked to preserve gurukuls, viharas, and temples, ensuring these places of learning remained in good condition.

4. What were the methods of education in ancient India?
Ans: Education in ancient India took place in gurukuls, viharas, temples, and ashrams, where students learned by listening to their teachers and applying their knowledge and imagination in practice.

  • People who went to gurukuls stayed with their guru and learned about scriptures, mathematics, science, and moral values.
  • Universities and colleges like Nalanda, Takshashila, and Vikramshila offered courses in subjects such as medicine, science, and philosophy.
  • Some religious sites and temples also served as schools, where students learned about yoga, the arts, and sacred texts.
  • Tols and pathshalas were small, local schools in different regions where children received education in a variety of subjects.

Related Links

CBSE 8 Notes