Page:Ancient Indian Education, an inquiry into its origin, development, and ideals.djvu/9

Rh The history of the ancient education of India is to a large extent an unexplored tract. Except for a short sketch in Laurie's Historical Survey of Pre-Christian Education, and outlines of the subject in cyclopaedias, or references scattered in various books, hardly anything has been written on the subject. With regard to Muhammadan Education in India, however, Mr. Narendra Nath Law's recently pubUshed book on the Promotion of Learning by Muhammadans has brought together some most useful evidence.

In attempting to write about the ancient education of India, one of the greatest difficulties has been to ascertain all the available material. The literature of India is very bulky, and only a small portion of it has been translated into English. References in it to education are not always numerous, and are scattered here and there amongst a vast amount of other material. I am well aware, therefore, that there may be more material available than I have yet been able to discover. The present attempt must be looked upon largely as a pioneer effort, but I hope that it may stimulate others also who are interested in Indian education to take up the work of research.

Throughout the long centuries of India's history educational development was taking place. It began away back in the times when the hymns of the Vedas were being composed, and has gone on until the present time. The first beginnings were in connection with the sacrificial ritual, and this system