Which of the following is a type of school dating back to the Vedic period?

Correct option is B

The Gurukul system is the type of school that dates back to the Vedic period in India. It was a traditional Hindu residential schooling system where students (shishyas) lived with or near the guru (teacher) in the same house or ashram and received education. This education system emphasized character building, spiritual learning, and knowledge of the Vedas, along with other subjects like mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and archery.
In the Vedic era, education was considered sacred and was imparted through oral traditions and disciplined lifestyle under the direct guidance of a guru. The gurukul system focused not only on academics but also on moral and ethical conduct, forming the holistic basis of ancient Indian education.
Information Booster:
· The Gurukul system was based on guru-shishya parampara (teacher-student tradition).
· It included subjects like Vedas, Upanishads, Sanskrit, philosophy, astronomy, and warfare.
· Education was free of cost, and students helped in the daily chores of the gurukul.
· The system emphasized brahmacharya—a disciplined and celibate lifestyle.
· Women’s education was limited but some women sages like Gargi and Maitreyi were highly learned.
· The system declined with the rise of formal institutions like Buddhist monasteries and later colonial schools.
Additional Knowledge:
· The Jain monastery: Jain monastic education emerged much later than the Vedic period. Jain monks followed strict ascetic practices and taught Jain doctrines, mainly in the post-Vedic era, particularly after the 6th century BCE.
· The Gurukul system: It traces its roots to the Rig Vedic period (around 1500 BCE). Education was imparted orally, with a strong emphasis on memorization, discipline, and spiritual learning. The guru had full responsibility for the holistic development of the student. It is one of the earliest known systems of organized education.
· The Buddhist monastery: Known as viharas, these became prominent during the Mauryan period, especially under Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. They provided systematic education, primarily in Buddhist scriptures, logic, and philosophy. Though very advanced, they post-date the Gurukul system by several centuries.
· The Church: Christian educational institutions like church-run schools were introduced in India during the colonial period, especially by missionaries in the 16th century onward. They do not belong to the ancient or Vedic traditions of India.