प्राचीन भारत में शिक्षा (डॉ. ए.एस. अल्तेकर - गुरुकुल एवं बौद्ध विहार शिक्षण इतिहास)

104 EDUCATION IN ANCIENT INDIA [Ch. been since times immemorial famous centres of learning ; the pilgrim traffic supplied a subsidiary source of income to the famous teachers residing there. It is this circumstance that made Benares, Kāñchī, Nasik, Karhāṭaka, etc. famous centres of learning. Sometimes kings used to found colonies of learned Brahmanas by inviting them to settle in a new village and providing for their maintenance. Such villages were known as agrahāra villages and they naturally became centres of learning. Causes that led to the development of centres of education in monasteries and temples have been already explained in Chap. IV. It is proposed to give a short and succinct account of important centres and institutions of education in this chapter. The places have been arranged from the point of their importance and antiquity. TAXILA¹ Prehistoric Times :— Taxila, situated about 20 miles west of Rawalpindi, was undoubtedly the most important and ancient seat of learning in Ancient India. It was the capital of the important province of Gandhāra and its history goes back into hoary antiquity. It was founded by Bharata and named after his son Taksha, who was established there as its ruler². Janamejaya’s serpent sacrifice was perfomed at this very place.³ Not much is known of its early educational activities; but by the 7th century B. C., it was a famous seat of learning, attracting scholars from distant cities like Rājagṛiha, Benares, and Mithilā. It was famous for its philosophers in the days of Alexander the Great.

1. The correct ancient spelling of the city's name is Takshaśilā. The popular present-day spelling is used in the book.
2. Rāmāyaṇa VII, 101, 10-16
3. Mbh., I, 3, 20