Thread by @_ugra_

The educational curriculum in ancient India consisted of the 4 Vedas, 6 Angas, 10 Grantas, 14 Vidhyas, 18 Shilpas & 64 Kalas. Except for the Vedas, the other fields were open for anyone to enroll.

Rig, Yajur, Sama & Atharva consisted of the 4 Vedas. (1)

Shiksha, the methodology of pronunciation. Kalpa, the technique of ritualisim. Vyakarana, the study of grammar. Nirkuta, study of meaning of Sanskrit words. Chhandas, studies of poetry & Jyotisha, the study of the celestial bodies & impact on humans. These are 6 limbs of the Veda

The Dasha Grantas consists of the 6 Vedangas & additionally being well veraed in one's own Veda, the associated Brahamana, Aranyaka & Nighantu. The one who mastered these 10 Grantas would be conferred with the title of Dashagranthi Brahmana (3)

The 14 Vidhyas are the 4 Vedas + 6 Vedangas + Dharmashastra + Puranas + Mimamsa & Tarka (logic)

The 18 Shilpas were to be studied by those specialising is a specific skill. Vocal, instrumental & dancing among them

The course of 18 Shilpas were offered at Takshashila University

The 18 Shilpas were vocal, instrumental, dancing, painting, Mathematics, accountancy, engineering, sculpture, agriculture, veterinary, commerce, medicine, transportation & law, administrative training, archery & military art, illusionist(magic),poison antidotes & treasure finding

This is the list of some of 64 Kalas. A cultured lady was expected to master them.

1) गीतम्
2) वाद्यम्
3) नृत्यम्
4) आलेख्यम्
5) विशेषकच्छेद्यम्
6) तण्डुलकुसुमवलिविकाराः
7) पुष्पास्तरणम्
8) दशनवसनांगरागः
9) मणि-भूमिकाकर्म
10) शयनरचनम्

We'll see what they are in next few tweets

11) उदकवाद्यम्
12) उदकाघात:
13) चित्राश्चयोगाः
14) माल्यग्रथनविकल्पाः
15) शेखरकापीडयोजनम्
16) नेपथ्यप्रयोगा:
17) कर्णपत्रभंगाः
18) गन्धयुक्ति:
19) भूषणयोजनम्
20) ऐन्द्रजालाः
21) कौचुमाराश्च योगाः
22) हस्तलाघवम्
23) विचित्रशाकयूषभक्ष्यविकारक्रिया
24) पानकरसरागासवयोजनम्

The 3 foremost among the 64 Kalas are गीतम्, वाद्यम् & नृत्यम्. Women were expected to be well versed in the art of singing, playing musical instruments & dancing.

पुष्पास्तरणम्, दशनवसनांगरागः, मणि
भूमिकाकर्म & शयनरचनम् are skills related to home & personal decorations.

विचित्रशाकयूषभक्ष्यविकारक्रिया & पानकरसरागासवयोजनम् is related to the art of cooking.

Women were expected to be well versed in पुष्पशटिका (Garland making) to be used as decorations in Temples. Women were required to be well versed in understanding different languages, reading, writing, composing poems, understanding dramas etc.

रूप्यरत्नपरीक्षा, धातुवादः & मरिणरागाकरज्ञानम् was a compulsory skill set women fond of jewellery were expected to be well versed in. It involved the study to gauge the quantities of gold in a given ornament & identification of other precious gems.

Women were required to be educated in the art of सूचीवानकर्माणि(sewing), तक्षणम् (carpentry),वास्तुविधा, वृक्षायुर्वेदयोगाः, निमित्तज्ञानम् (repairs of houshold tools)

Women were expected to be well versed in the art of बालक्रीडनकानि (toy making). Among the 64 Kalas also included are a couple of exercises (उदकाघात:) to be performed to keep onself fit & healthy.

/end

Source : Education in Ancient India by AS Altekar.