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Unit 2 : Education in India during medieval period: Islamic Education

(i) During those days there were no printed books for the beginners. Wooden books Notes
(taktis) were used.
(ii) The Quran : After alphabets, words were taught to students
(iii) Stress on Calligraphy: beautiful and fine handwriting was an important element of
instruction.
(iv) Teaching of Grammar: Grammar was taught as it was considered very valuable in
teaching the languages.
(v) Religious Instruction: Instruction imparted in the 'Maktabs' was religious through
and through.
(vi) 'Paharas': Students also learned 'Pahars' (multiple of numbers). Students memorized
these while uttering collective in a loud voice.
(xii) Buildings: In general, the students sat on the ground in the rows under the shade of a
tree and the teacher used mat or dear-skin to sit at. He also attended to the students
while standing.

After the Quran, the 'Gulistan' and the 'Bostan' poems of poet Firdausi were
taken up.

2.9.3 Merits of Muslim Education
(i) Emphasis on Education: Education was considered as an instrument of procuring happiness
in this world and obtaining knowledge of god. Knowledge was considered as a source
of solutions of all the religious problems. The prophet Muhammad has said, “To seek
knowledge is a duty for every Muslim”. Education was considered as a remover of
barrier between an individual and God.
(ii) Personal Contact between the Teacher and the Taught: The teacher showed immense
love and affection to the students and the students immense respect and reverence to the
teacher.
(iii) Individual Attention: Since the number of students under the charge of a teacher was
quite reasonable, it was easy to pay individual attention to their optimum development
and progress.
(iv) Vocational Aspect: Notwithstanding stress on religious education, the system of education
was planned in a manner that students were prepared for vocational pursuits also.
(v) Inclusion of Secular Education: A large number of secular subjects like astronomy,
agriculture, commerce, handicrafts and medicine etc. were included in the curriculum.
(vi) Development of Historical Literature: The Muslim rulers patronised scholars” who wrote
valuable books {Memoirs) etc. like biographies which throw a lot of light on everyday
life including education. The rulers themselves wrote their ‘Memoirs’.
(vii) Free Education: Students were not required to pay any fee. These was also free boarding
and lodging.
2.9.4 Limitations and Shortcomings of Muslim Education

(i) Mother-Tongue not the Medium of Instruction: Persian and Arabic were the medium of
instruction. The foreign medium put heavy strain on the learners.
(ii) Very Little Check on Standards: In the absence of any external evaluation, it was not
possible to compare the quality of education imparted in one institution with the others.
(iii) Much Emphasis on Religious Scriptures: Secular subjects were neglected at the cost of
religious scriptures.

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