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Gurukul Education in Ancient India (800 BCE): Student Life, Values & Daily Routine

  Education in Ancient India – The Gurukul System Around 800 BCE Education in ancient India was not just about reading scriptures or learning discipline—it was a way of living . Around 800 BCE , the Gurukul system flourished across forests, small settlements, and hermitages, offering a rare blend of knowledge, spirituality, skills, and character-building . While modern education focuses on degrees, Gurukul focused on life , turning children into responsible, emotionally grounded, and wise adults. Let’s walk into a Gurukul and live one day as a student of 800 BCE… Living With the Guru — A Family Beyond Blood Students (called shishyas ) lived in the hermitage of their teacher, the Guru . There were no school buildings, benches, or classrooms. Instead, there were: mud huts open courtyards sacred fire altars (yajna kunda) libraries of palm-leaf manuscripts and forests filled with birds and the fragrance of sandalwood The Guru was not just a teacher—he was a p...
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Mass Media and Society: Meaning, Types, Impact, and Role in Modern India



Introduction

Communication is one of the most essential needs of human society. From greeting a teacher in class, reading a newspaper, talking on the phone, to watching television—every activity reflects communication. The English word communication is derived from the Latin word communis, meaning “to share.” In Hindi, it is called sanchar or jankari vyavastha, while in Gujarati it is also referred to as pratyayan.

Communication is an interaction between two or more parties where ideas, feelings, and information are exchanged. It begins with birth and ends with life itself, making it an inseparable part of human existence.

Definitions of Communication

  • Edward Emery – “Communication is the art of transferring information, ideas, and attitudes from one person to another.”

  • Vidyut Joshi – “The process of conveying one’s thoughts, feelings, emotions, and desires through language or other mediums is communication.”

  • Keith Davis – “Communication is the process of conveying information or ideas from one person or group to another.”

In short, communication is the medium of exchanging ideas, feelings, and aspirations.

Characteristics of Communication

  1. Continuous Process – Human life is impossible without communication. It is constant and ongoing.

  2. Two-Way Process – Messages flow from sender to receiver, and feedback is equally important.

  3. Medium is Essential – Both sensory mediums (speech, gestures, expressions) and physical mediums (newspapers, radio, TV, internet, phones) play vital roles.

Types of Mass Media

1. Traditional Mass Media

India has a rich heritage of folk literature, music, dance, and plays such as:

  • Bhavai (Gujarat), Nautanki (Uttar Pradesh), Baul (Bengal), Pandava (Madhya Pradesh).

  • Puppet shows, wrestling, and madari performances.

These art forms entertained while also spreading moral values, social knowledge, and religious awareness. However, television and modern media have reduced their influence in rural areas.

2. Modern Mass Media

Modern media is divided into Print Media and Electronic Media.

(a) Print Media

  • Printing press developed in 1440 by Gutenberg.

  • India’s first newspaper: Bengal Gazette (1780).

  • Daily newspaper: Calcutta Gazette.

  • Post-independence: Press Trust of India (PTI) established in 1947.

  • Examples: newspapers, books, magazines, leaflets, posters.

(b) Electronic Media

  • Radio: Started in India (1923, Mumbai). Today, All India Radio covers 96% of the population.

  • Photography: From Kodak (1888) to smartphone cameras.

  • Cinema: Introduced in India in 1896, Dadasaheb Phalke considered its pioneer.

  • Television: Doordarshan began in 1959; today, over 800 private channels exist.

  • Computer: Invented in 1946; essential in education, business, and governance.

  • Internet: Launched in India on 15 August 1995. Enabled e-banking, e-commerce, e-governance.

  • Mobile Phones: Mobile services launched in India in 1995; smartphones have transformed daily life.

Impact of Mass Media

  1. On Social Life

    • Promotes individualism, equality in family, and freedom in relationships.

    • Increased awareness of gender equality and education.

    • Changing marriage practices and promoting inter-caste unions.

  2. On Culture

    • Educates against blind rituals and superstitions.

    • Promotes yoga, health awareness, and modern celebrations.

  3. On Economy

    • Advertising creates demand for new goods and services.

    • Promotes consumer culture and lifestyle changes.

  4. On Education and Awareness

    • Provides knowledge through newspapers, TV, internet, and mobile.

    • Strengthens democracy by raising public awareness.

Conclusion

Mass media has revolutionized Indian society by shaping communication, culture, education, economy, and politics. While traditional media is fading, modern media—print, electronic, internet, and mobile—has become the backbone of social and national development. It has both positive and negative effects, but undeniably, it plays a central role in connecting and transforming society.

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