Abstract

The historical development of the Indian education system reflects the socio-cultural political and economic transformations that shaped the subcontinent across millennia. Indian education evolved from ancient Gurukul learning rooted in oral traditions philosophical inquiry and holistic development to medieval institutions influenced by Persian Arabic and Islamic scholarly contributions and later transitioned to the colonial model driven by British administrative priorities and missionary interventions. In the post-independence era India attempted to redefine education as a constitutional right a tool of national integration and an instrument for socio-economic mobility. This paper examines the evolution of Indian education through different historical phases emphasizing changes in curriculum pedagogy accessibility institutional structures governance models and the role of state policy. By analysing ancient scriptures medieval educational patterns colonial legislations and modern polic