Kāṅgri Gurukula

By Swami Harshananda

An education system moulds the minds of the young ones and ultimately shapes a nation. The leaders of the Āryasamāj started a gurukula in CE 1902 in Punjab, realizing the importance of imparting basic values of life to children from the young age. It was started as an experimental primary school and gradually developed into a big educational complex and was shifted to Kāṇgri near Hardwar (in Uttaranchal) in CE 1924. It was given the status of a deemed university in CE 1962.

Peculiarities of Kāṇgri Gurukula

• The institution is entirely residential and is modeled on the ancient gurukula system.
• Hindi language is used as the medium of instruction even at the post-graduate level though Sanskrit is given a prominent place.
• There are separate sections for boys and girls.
• No distinction is made based on caste, region, social or economic status.
• All are given the same facilities and treated alike.
• The subjects taught include:
  • Sanskrit
  • Hindi
  • Mathematics
  • Geography
  • History
  • Drawing
  • Dharmaśāstras
  • Ethics
  • Basic training in a few trades like weaving mats
  • English and science in higher classes
• The further sections at the graduate and post-graduate levels are:
  • Vedamahāvidyālaya
  • Āyurveda-mahāvidyālaya

See also

• Hindu Post-Secondary Institutes

References

• The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore