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

236 EDUCATION IN ANCIENT INDIA [Ch. Ribhus were even deified. The educational system of the age was successful in forming character, developing personality, promoting the progress of different branches of knowledge and achieving social efficiency and happiness. THE UPANISHAD-SŪTRA PERIOD. (c. 1000 B.C. to c. 200 B.C.) General Condition of the Age : This period can justly be regarded as the most creative period of Hindu culture and literature, arts and sciences. The founda- tions of whatever is the best in Hindu culture and glorious in Hindu achievements were laid down during this period. Metaphysics made remarkable progress, as is evidenced by the Upanishadic, Jain and Bauddha works ; the foundations of almost all the later systems of philosophy were also laid down. Philology and grammar were well developed and the literary acti- vity in the legal literature commenced. Speculations in the sphere of political thought were original and fruit- ful. Astronomy and mathematics, medicine and sur- gery, mining and metallurgy began to be cultivated and sculpture and architecture recorded remarkable pro- gress, especially towards the end of the period. Effort was also made to popularise culture and knowledge by transforming the epic of the Bhārata war into an encyclopædia of religion and ethics. The Condition of Education : These manifold achievements in different spheres became possible be- cause Indians had still a free open and enquiring mind and were making strenuous efforts to extend the bounds of knowledge and to ensure its transmission to posterity. With a view to enlist the help of the whole society for this work, Upanayana ritual was made