Takshila –
source gizbot
- Takshila also known as Takshashila and Taxila, was the oldest university in the World that flourished from 600 BC to 500 AD.
- It accepted students as young as 16 from India and countries like Greece, Syria, China etc.
- 18 subjects including, medicine, astronomy, politics, commerce, grammar, philosophy ,law, archery etc were taught here.
- Scholars like Kautilya, Panini, Jivak and Vishnu Sharma were on the panel of masters in Taxila. King Chandragupta and Ayurvedic healer Charaka were the students here. Chanakya (Kautilya)’s famous treaties on economics – Arthashastra was composed here.
- Education at Taxila was free for 4 castes (excluding chandalas) and students could study the subject of their own choice. The institution thrived on support of both Hindu and Buddhist kings.
- Knowledge was considered its own reward and no certificates and ceremonies accompanied the completion of education. Examinations were treated as superfluous and not a condition for completing the education.
