Chapter 66: Sending the Imperial Degree to Universities for Curriculum Preparation

After issuing the decree to standardize education across the Mauryan Empire, Ashoka took the next step in his vision to create a unified educational system. To ensure the proper implementation of his decree, Ashoka decided to send an official degree to all major universities in the empire, including Taxila, Nalanda, Ujjain, and others, instructing them to prepare textbooks and curriculum for every educational level. This monumental task would require coordination between the universities and their respective faculties, scholars, and experts.

The Imperial Decree

Ashoka, with the assistance of his trusted ministers, issued a formal imperial decree that was sent to all the prominent universities across the empire. The message was clear and detailed:

"To the esteemed scholars and teachers of the universities of Taxila, Nalanda, Ujjain, and all others within the realm of the Mauryan Empire, I, Ashoka, King of the Mauryan Empire, issue this decree. By my command, you are to begin the creation of textbooks and instructional materials for every level of education, from primary school to university. These materials must adhere to the standardized curriculum set forth in the previous decree. The books should be comprehensive, relevant, and written in Devnagri script and modern Sanskrit to ensure consistency and unity throughout the empire. It is imperative that the knowledge imparted be not only academic but also practical, so that every citizen, from the youngest child to the most learned scholar, can contribute to the prosperity of our great empire."

The decree went on to specify the different educational levels and the subjects for which the universities were responsible:

Primary schools (Class 1 to Class 5): Textbooks for basic literacy, numeracy, local history, civics, and morality.

Secondary schools (Class 6 to Class 10): Textbooks for science, mathematics, geography, history, language, and civics.

High schools (Class 11 to Class 12): Textbooks for specialized subjects like philosophy, astronomy, military strategy, agriculture, and arts.

Universities: Textbooks for advanced subjects such as law, medicine, engineering, astronomy, political science, military science, and economic theory.

Role of Universities in Textbook Preparation

Each university in the empire was assigned specific tasks to develop textbooks for various subjects. Ashoka emphasized that these textbooks should be written in a way that was accessible and engaging for students at all levels. The books should be designed to cultivate critical thinking, practical knowledge, and ethical values among students. Universities were also asked to ensure that the textbooks reflected the diverse cultural heritage of the empire while promoting unity and the values of Ashoka's rule, such as peace, justice, and tolerance.

The universities were also given the task of developing a uniform system of examinations that would be based on the curriculum. This system would help assess the students' progress and ensure that the standards of education were maintained across the empire. The curriculum would be reviewed periodically to ensure it remained relevant and adapted to new advancements in knowledge and technology.

Specific Instructions to Major Universities

Taxila University: Known for its excellence in subjects like military strategy, engineering, and law, Taxila was tasked with developing textbooks for higher education, focusing on subjects that would train administrators, military officers, and legal scholars. The university was also asked to work on textbooks for subjects like economics and trade, which were vital for the functioning of the empire.

Nalanda University: Nalanda, one of the most renowned centers of learning in the ancient world, was tasked with developing textbooks for philosophy, astronomy, medicine, and the arts. Nalanda was also responsible for developing textbooks for subjects like ethics and civic responsibility, reflecting Ashoka's belief in Dhamma and moral governance.

Ujjain University: Ujjain was given the responsibility of developing textbooks for mathematics, agriculture, and astronomy. Ujjain's scholars were also tasked with developing books on trade and commerce, which were essential for the economic prosperity of the empire.

Pataliputra University: Pataliputra, the capital city of the Mauryan Empire, housed the central government and was responsible for developing textbooks on administration, political science, and military tactics. It also focused on creating educational materials for the general public, such as books on health, hygiene, and basic civic knowledge.

Coordination Between Universities and Local Schools

The universities were instructed to coordinate with local schools to ensure that the textbooks developed would be practical for use in rural and urban areas alike. Local schools would play a key role in testing the textbooks before they were mass-produced and distributed across the empire. The universities were encouraged to send their scholars and experts to various regions of the empire to assess the needs of local communities and ensure that the curriculum would be relevant and effective for all students, regardless of their background.

Ashoka also instructed that the textbooks should be translated into the local languages of various regions, wherever necessary, so that the students could better understand the material. However, the primary language of instruction would remain Devnagri script and modern Sanskrit, ensuring that students across the empire would be able to read and write in the same language, facilitating communication and trade.

The Role of Scholars and Experts

Ashoka's decree also called for the involvement of scholars, teachers, and subject experts in the creation of the textbooks. The universities were to recruit the best minds from across the empire, including experts in various fields, such as science, literature, philosophy, and engineering, to contribute to the development of the textbooks. These experts would work together to ensure that the textbooks were accurate, well-researched, and aligned with Ashoka's vision for a knowledgeable and prosperous empire.

Printing and Distribution

Once the textbooks were created, Ashoka ordered the establishment of printing presses in various regions of the empire to mass-produce the books. These presses would be centrally controlled by the Ministry of Education, ensuring that all books met the required standards. The books would be distributed to schools, high schools, and universities throughout the empire, with the Ministry overseeing the process to ensure that the materials reached even the most remote regions.

Conclusion

The sending of Ashoka's imperial decree to the universities marked the beginning of a new era in education for the Mauryan Empire. With the universities now tasked with developing textbooks and educational materials, Ashoka's vision of a unified, standardized education system began to take shape. The curriculum, developed by the brightest minds in the empire, would not only ensure that every citizen received a high-quality education but also foster a sense of unity and progress that would propel the Mauryan Empire to even greater heights.

As the universities began their work, Ashoka knew that the future of his empire rested on the shoulders of the educated youth. Through education, he hoped to build a more just, prosperous, and enlightened empire—one where every citizen, regardless of their social status or background, would have the opportunity to thrive.