Question

What was system of education in India before the advent of the British in India?

Answer 1

Before the advent of the British in India, Primary education was given in Mosques, Temples and Gurudwaras.

1. Schools of Mosques were known as Maqtab or schools of Temples and Gurudwaras were known as Pathshalas. All these were religious schools because these schools used to teach the religious books of their respective religions. Language was also of their own religion.
2. In Maqtab, Urdu, Persian and Arabian languages were used. In Gurudwaras Gurumukhi language and in Temples Hindi and Sanskrit languages were used to teach their respective students. Teachers who gave education were religious leaders.
3. Larger schools were there for higher education. These were generally different from religious places. Teachers of these schools were generally scholars.
4. The schools, in which Arabian and Persian were taught, were known as Madrassas. Students of all the religions were allowed to take education over here.
5. For Higher education of Hindi and Sanskrit, arrangement was there in larger schools like Benaras.
6. Special schools were also there in India for training of business or of any art. These were known as Mahajani Schools.