The following points highlight the top eight features of Muslim education during the medieval age.
1. The Muslim education started when the child was 4 years 4 months, and 4 days old. Usually, the parents consulted the Astrologer regarding the auspicious time for putting the child in the school. This ceremony was known as Bismillah. The objective of the primary education was to teach the child alphabets and Quran specially the religious prayers.
These children were taught by the Mullah or Maulvi who looked after the Mosque of the locality. The children were made to memories certain parts of Quran for daily prayers.
2. The education was free and fees were not charged because the aim of the ruling minority was to spread Muslim culture and education. Naturally, the teachers had to look for finances to rich nobles and merchants who were too glad to provide the necessary finances.
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3. Educational facilities were available to all the sections of the society without any distinction of caste and creed. The Hindus began to learn Persian, particularly during the Mughal period, because it was essential to learn this language to enter the State service.
4. The teacher was highly respected in the society. The cordial relations which existed between the teacher and the taught in the Hindu period, continued during the medieval times. Usually the pupils would humbly touch the feet of the teacher and speak with great respect.
If a particular student misbehaved, he was sure to be expelled from the school. Bartholomeo has observed that “By these means, the preceptor always receives that respect which is due to him, the pupils which obtained and slowly offended against the rules which are so gratefully inculcated.”
5. The system of punishing errant students existed. Physical punishment were often inflicted with Kora or Cane. However, light punishments were also given for the negligence of studies. These included detention after school hours or making students write a lesson 10 or 15 times.
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Badlaon has recorded certain instances of students being punished with slaps on face, making them sit on the tips of his toes and holding his ears with his hands from under his thighs.
6. The monitorial system which was in existence during the Hindu period, also continued to be used by the Muslims. According to this system advance students assisted the teacher in their work.
7. The aim of the Muslim education was to develop the latent faculties of the students. Effort was made to develop their character and equip them with all that was essential for their material and moral wellbeing. Therefore, both religious and secular education was imparted to the students.
8. Persian was the medium of instruction for primary and secondary education. Being the official language of the country even the Hindus eagerly learnt it.