Higher Education and Ancient India & Indian Constitution Review

Flashcards covering the history of education in Ancient India, colonial educational acts, modern regulatory bodies, and fundamental concepts of the Indian Constitution.

Veda

A word meaning knowledge, considered the source of Indian philosophy of life during the Vedic period.

Rigveda

The earliest form of Veda, consisting of $1,028$ hymns called sūktas and collected into $10$ books called maṇḍalas.

Sravana

The first step of learning in the Vedic system, meaning listening to the text as uttered by the teacher.

Manana

The process of internalizing or assimilating knowledge through deliberation and reflection on a topic.

Nididhyasana

Meditation by which truth is realized, considered indispensable for the realization of Supreme reality.

Upanayana

A formal initiation ceremony performed for $3$ days by which a pupil leaves home to live in a Gurukul.

Dwija

A term meaning twice born, applied to a pupil after the completion of the Upanayana ceremony.

Upakurvana Brahmachari

A student who remains in the Gurukul for a limited time before marrying and becoming a householder.

Naishtika Brahmachari

A student who remains celibate and dedicated to learning throughout their entire life.

Antevasin

A pupil who lives under the roof and direct supervision of their Guru.

Parishads

Academies or bigger educational institutions where several teachers taught different subjects and learned men conferred on philosophical problems.

Samaveda

The Veda of melodies and chants, consisting of $1,549$ verses used primarily for ritual application by the Udagatr priest.

Yajurveda

The Veda of prose mantras for worship rituals, divided into the black (Krishna) and white (Shukla) versions.

Atharvaveda

The fourth Veda, known as the knowledge storehouse of procedures for everyday life, including magic formulas and rituals.

Takshashila (Taxila)

The world's oldest university and capital of Gandhar Kingdom, where Chanakya is said to have composed the Arthashastra.

Nalanda

An ancient center of higher learning in Bihar that housed $10,000$ students and had a library of over $9$ million manuscripts.

Valabhi

A university in western India and capital of the Maitraka Kings, known for training in secular subjects.

Mithila

A prominent seat of the Brahmanical system of education famous for Nyaya (jurisprudence) and TarkaShastra (Logic).

Charter Act of 1813

A British parliamentary act that sanctioned $1$ Lakh rupees annually for promoting modern sciences in India.

Downward Filtration Theory

Macaulay's educational policy aimed at educating a small number of upper-class Indians who would then spread education to the masses.

Wood's Despatch (1854)

Considered the Magna Carta of English Education in India, it recommended using native languages in schools and English for higher education.

Hunter Commission (1882-1883)

A commission appointed to check the progress of Wood's Despatch, recommending that primary education responsibility be given to local boards.

Saddler Commission (1917-1919)

A commission that recommended a $12$-year school program and a $3$-year degree program.

Wardha Scheme of Basic Education

A scheme developed from Mahatma Gandhi's thinking, emphasizing learning through activity and handicrafts.

Sergeant Plan of Education (1944)

The first attempt to establish a nationwide education system in India, recommending pre-primary education for the $3-6$ age group.

University Grants Commission (UGC)

A statutory body established in $1956$ for the coordination and determination of standards in higher education.

Deemed University

A status of autonomy granted by the Department of Higher Education on the advice of the UGC under Section $3$ of the UGC Act, $1956$.

Kothari Commission (1964)

Commonly referred to as the Bible for Teachers, it recommended a national policy on education including free and compulsory education.

Meta University

A concept where students can move between universities and study two different subjects at different institutions simultaneously.

Indology

The science of studying Indian culture in all its aspects including history, archaeology, and philosophy.

Habeas Corpus

A writ meaning you may have the body, used to release a person who has been detained unlawfully.

Mandamus

A writ meaning we command, issued to an inferior court or person to perform a public or statutory duty.

Quorum

The minimum number of members (one-tenth of the total) required to be present in the House to conduct business.

Lame-duck Session

The last session of the existing Lok Sabha after a new Lok Sabha has been elected.

Equal Protection of Laws

A principle borrowed from the US Constitution ensuring equality of treatment under equal circumstances.

Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)

Recommendations outlined in Articles $36-51$ of the Constitution aimed at establishing a welfare state.