Ancient Educational Institutions MCQ Quiz in मल्याळम - Objective Question with Answer for Ancient Educational Institutions - സൗജന്യ PDF ഡൗൺലോഡ് ചെയ്യുക

In ancient times, India was a centre of higher learning as it is one of the oldest civilisations in the world. A large number of centres of learning were established across ancient India, of which Nalanda and Takshashila were the most famous and the oldest universities in the world.

Nalanda University:

• It was a large Buddhist Monastery located in Nalanda, Bihar is one of the oldest learning institutions in India. Its origins date back to the 5th and the 6th centuries under the Gupta Empire.
• Gautam Buddha is also believed to have delivered sermons at Nalanda. Tibetan historian Taranath referred to Nalanda as ‘the mine of learning’.
• Almost all sciences, including the science of medicine, were taught as well as the Upanishads and the Vedas.
• The insightful knowledge of the Nalanda teachers attracted scholars from China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Mongolia, Turkey, Sri Lanka and South-East Asia.
• Most of these scholars have left records of the ambience, architecture and learning of the university. The Chinese scholar Xuan Zang carried back a hundred scriptures which were later translated into Chinese.
• According to Tibetan sources, the library, Dharmaganja, comprised three large multi-storeyed buildings named Ratnasagara (Ocean of Jewels), the Ratnodadhi (Sea of Jewels), and the Ratnaranjaka (Jewel-adorned).
• At the end of the 12th century, Nalanda was destroyed by an army of the Muslim Mamluk Dynasty under Bakhtiyar Khilji. Later on, it was excavated by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) in the 19th century.

Hence, it was the scholar Xuan Zang who carried back scriptures from Nalanda University and wrote about architecture and learning of this university.

The correct option is 'A - II, B - III, C - IV, D - I​'.

Key Points

• Poona College for Hindu Learning - M. Elphinstone
  • M. Elphinstone played a significant role in the establishment of the Poona College for Hindu Learning.
  • This institution was aimed at promoting education among the Hindu community in Pune.
• Hindu College, Kolkata (Presidency College) - Rajaram Mohan Roy
  • Rajaram Mohan Roy was one of the founders of the Hindu College in Kolkata, which later became Presidency College.
  • The college was established to promote Western education and modern ideas among the youth of Bengal.
• Bishop College, Sibpur - Church of England
  • Bishop College in Sibpur was established by the Church of England.
  • The college aimed to provide theological education and training for missionaries.
• Scottish Missionary College, Kolkata - Alexander Duff
  • Alexander Duff, a Scottish missionary, founded the Scottish Missionary College in Kolkata.
  • The college focused on imparting Western education and Christian teachings to Indian students.

Additional Information

• M. Elphinstone was a British administrator in India and played a key role in the development of educational institutions in the country.
• Rajaram Mohan Roy was a prominent social reformer and founder of the Brahmo Samaj. He advocated for modern education and women's rights.
• The Church of England has been involved in the establishment of several educational institutions in India, focusing on both religious and secular education.
• Alexander Duff was a pioneering missionary who believed in the power of education to bring about social change. He established several schools and colleges in India.

The correct answer is Sridhanya Katak in ancient India attained celebrity as the seat of both Brahmanical and Buddhist learning during the time of Siddha NagarjunaImportant Points

Sridhanya Katak University:

• Indian Sridhanya Katak University attained fame as a seat of learning for both Brahmanical and Buddhist during the time of Siddha Nagarjuna.
• Sridhanya Katak was situated on the banks of the Krishna. 

Key Points

The Correct Answer is Kumaragupta.

• Nalanda University was one of the first universities in the world, founded in the 5th Century BC.
• It was founded by Kumaragupta.

 Important Points

• Kumaragupta was the son of the Gupta emperor Chandragupta II and queen Dhruvadev.
• He issued coins with images of killing a lion.
• He also issued a coin that bears the picture of Kartikeya.

Bindusara

• Bindusara was the son of Chandragupta Maurya and Durdhara.
• He was born in 320 BC and ruled from 298 BC to 272 BC.

Chandragupta

• In 321 BC, Chandragupta Maurya, with the help of Chanakya (author of Arthashasthra) founded the Mauryan dynasty after overthrowing Nanda Dynasty.

The correct answer is 1200 AD.

• The Gupta ruler Kumaragupta I laid the foundation of Nalanda University in 451-454 AD.
• Chinese traveller Xuanzang described this university as the centre of Buddhist knowledge and philosophy in his travelogue Si-yu-ki.
• Nalanda University was destroyed around 1200 AD by the Muslim invader Bakhtiar Khilji and burnt its libraries, after which his dignity was lost.
• After 800 years, the first session of Nalanda University started in the year 2014.
• The present university campus is located at a distance of 12 km from the ancient relic site.

Key Points

• The university of ancient Takshashila or Taxila was an ancient Indian university located in the city of Taxila (modern-day Pakistan), on the eastern bank of the Indus river. Taxkshashila was mentioned in Shatapatha Brahmana (Yajurveda), Ramayana and Mahabharata.
• Taxila or Takshashila University was an early Hindu and Buddhist centre of learning. 
• It was famous for military education during the Vedic and post-Vedic periods.
• Subjects taught in Taxila university were primitive in nature, which included Vedic literature, hunting, archeries and so on, which in no way can be considered as modern university education.
• The ancient and the most revered scriptures, and the Eighteen Silpas or Arts, which included skills such as archery, hunting, and elephant lore, were taught, in addition to its law school, medical school, and school of military science.
• Takshashila had a great influence on Hindu culture and the Sanskrit language. It is perhaps best known for its association with Chanakya.

Additional Information

•  As per ASI records, subjects taught at Nalanda University included theology, grammar, logic, astronomy, metaphysics, medicine and philosophy.
• Kundinapuri was the gateway for the ancient travellers from north India to southern India. It was well connected to northern cities of ancient India like Ayodhya. This ancient route is mentioned in Mahabharata.

The correct answer is Mughal Era

Key Points

Education System during the Mughal Era :

• In this period, the early Muhammadan rulers and the succeeding Mughal rulers brought changes in the ancient Indian education. The promotion of education was dependent upon the individual character of the ruler.
• For a time the system of education was now directed to the promotion of the new Islamic learning. Consequently, its development became was uneven and weak.
• A well developed popular system of education did not exist during the Muhammadan and the Mughal period.
• Among the Muslim rulers, Sultan Muhammad Ghori was the first king of India who deemed it as his duty to impart education on somewhat definite bases.
• Firuz Shah Tughluq was greatly contributed to the material, cultural and educational welfare of subjects viz. history, art and archaeology.
• Babar, the memorable founder of the Mughal Empire, considered educational institutions as an important aspect of administration. He encouraged higher education by grants of land/money to the mosques, monasteries and stipends to individual saints and scholars.
• However, Higher education or education, in general, did not get the attention as it received in ancient India.
• The political climate that proved unfavourable or otherwise for education.

Hence, it is obvious from the given points that higher education in India got a setback during the Mughal Era.

The correct answer is 7th century CE.

Key Points

• I-Qing and Xuan Zang visited Nalanda, the greatest Indian university in the Indian state of Bihar, where he spent two years.
• He visited Champa Monastery, Bhagalpur. He was in the company of several thousand scholar-monks, whom he praised.
• Xuan Zang studied logic, grammar, Sanskrit, and the Yogacara school of Buddhism during his time at Nalanda. 
• René Grousset notes that it was at Nalanda that Xuan Zang met the venerable Silabhadra, the monastery's superior.
• At Nalanda, Xuan Zang became a critic of two major philosophical systems of Hinduism opposed to Buddhism: the Samkhya and the Vaiseshika.
• The former was based upon a dualism of Nature and Spirit.
• The latter was a realist system, immediate and direct in its realism, resting upon the acceptance of the data of consciousness and experience as such.

Key Points

The correct answer is Option 2.

Gurukul system of education in India:

• Students would rise with their guru at dawn and meditate for a significant amount of time, focusing on positivity and peace.
• Then they would begin daily chores including washing dishes and clothes, cleaning and tending to animals, all of which teach students practical skills and highlight the power of productivity.
• In the afternoons, they would assemble in a  large courtyard to listen to teachings and stories from their guru and engage in mental exercises which developed their intelligence and critical thinking.
• These included teachings from Vedic Literature like the Rig-Veda and the Atharva Veda.
• As the day wound down, they would spend time meditating on lessons of the day and relaxing their bodies for restful sleep.
• While the food was always available, students were encouraged to eat moderately as a part of their lessons in discipline.
• Throughout the day, they also practised yoga to strengthen their bodies.
• After their many years of education, students stepped back into the outside world as well-rounded, intellectual individuals with deep spiritual awareness, an appreciation of the importance of culture as well as knowledge about how to approach practical tasks.
• Gurukul system students had also achieved high levels of mindfulness, which allowed them to channel their attention to the present moment and experience.
• There were three stages in the life of a student- Vasu till the age of 24, Rudra till the age of 36 and Aditya till the age of 48.

The correct answer is 'Only B, C, D, E'

Key Points

• Ancient Indian Universities:
  • Takshashila: One of the oldest universities in the world, Takshashila was known for its diverse range of subjects including medicine, law, military science, and more.
  • Nalanda: A renowned center for learning, Nalanda offered studies in subjects like theology, grammar, logic, astronomy, and medicine.
  • Vallabhi: Vallabhi University was an important educational center in Western India, offering various disciplines including law, economics, and politics.
  • Vikramshila: Another major educational institution, it was known for specializing in subjects like Buddhist philosophy, grammar, logic, and metaphysics.

Additional Information

• Banaras Hindu University:
  • While Banaras Hindu University is a well-known multi-disciplinary institution in modern India, it does not belong to the category of ancient universities.