3.1.1 The Ancient Ancient Period The education in Bengal in the ancient times was a means to attain moksha (enlightenment).61 This ancient system of education, known as the 'gurukul' system of education, was a hallowed one in Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism, was closely related to religion.62 Education was formally institutionalised during the Buddhist period, especially during the Gupta period.63These were followed by medieval age maktabs, mosques, khankas later followed by the modern schooling system initiated by the missionaries.64 3.1.2 The Medieval Age Age The medieval age also saw the introduction of the madrasa curriculum that exists till date. The traditional madrasas and maktabs (Islamic educational institutions) taught grammar, philosophy, mathematics, and law influenced by the Greek traditions inherited by Persia and the Middle East.65 3.1.3 The British Period During the British colonization, the East India Company, amongst its many agendas, had education as a means of promoting Christianity in India. The Charter of 1698 directed the Company to maintain schools wherever necessary in their Garrisons and factories.66 Throughout the 18th century, the Company encouraged establishment of charity schools in India.67 However, the formal initiatives of the British started with their necessity for Administrative utility to have anglicised natives to make a bridge between the English and the Indians. In order to train native assistants to the Judges for explaining the principles of the Muslim and Hindu laws, Warren Joseph Prabhu, ‘Educational Institutions and Philosophies, Traditional and Modern’, Encyclopedia of India vol. 2 ( Stanley Wolpert ed, 2006) 23–28 Jameela T, ‘Instructional Aids and Techniques in India: From pictographs to e-learning’, Commonwealth Association For Education, Administration And Management, Vol.1 Issue 3, <http://www.google.com.bd/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CFAQFjAF&url=h ttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.ocwjournalonline.com%2FAdminpanel%2Fproduct_images%2Fca5936b7835b35b4a32c94b05fa ef2bf.docx&ei=vm2BU9aDFYPtrQfH1YH4AQ&usg=AFQjCNHQuqAfTy13kO0Yp00VSwq2b7oUw> accessed 27 May 2014 ibid ibid Deepak Kumar, ‘India’, The Cambridge History of Science (4 4)—Eighteenth-Century Science (Roy Porter ed. 2003) 669–687 Syed Nurullah, JP Naik, History of Education in India during the British Period, (Macmillan 1949) p.45 Ibid, 46 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 Page | 26