History of Education in India

Book Details:

• Author: Suresh Chandra Ghosh

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• ISBN: 9788131601105

• Pages: 536

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.0 x 1.4 inches

About the Book:

This monumental work traces the evolution of education in India through 5,000 years, covering periods from 3000 B.C. to 1999 A.D. The book explores the genesis and growth of education in India, highlighting how it was shaped by various socio-economic and political changes over the centuries.

In ancient India, education was deeply rooted in religious scriptures, playing a significant role in the development of the region's prosperous civilization and culture. During medieval times, Muslim rulers introduced their educational system to meet the needs of the administration and the Muslim community. The arrival of the British brought yet another shift, as they imposed their own educational system designed to serve imperial interests. While Hindu learning survived in the borders of Hindu kingdoms, it largely faded under the influence of Western education.

However, Western education sparked a movement of enlightened Indians who eventually played a role in freeing India from colonial rule. Post-independence, the country continued to operate under the educational systems inherited from the British, with limited attempts to adapt them to Indian needs. In the final decade of the 20th century, globalization further intensified the challenges to the aspirations of the nascent Indian nation.

The book is based on extensive research using religious scriptures, Persian works from medieval India, and archival sources from modern India. It is regarded as the first comprehensive and authentic account of the history of education in India.

About the Author:

Suresh C. Ghosh earned his Doctorate in History from the London School of Oriental and African Studies in 1966. He has worked extensively in the field of education and history, serving as a member of the University Grants Commission and the Rehabilitation Council of India. Ghosh has been a Visiting Fellow at prestigious institutions such as the University of Edinburgh, University of London, University of Paris, Indiana University, and more. He has authored 15 research monographs, including contributions to the Encyclopedia of Indian Education and International Encyclopedia of Education.

Before retiring in 2000, he held the Chair of History of Education at Jawaharlal Nehru University. He has also been associated with international institutions such as the Editorial Advisory Board of Paedagogica Historica in Belgium and has served as a Guest Professor at the University of Jena in Germany.