Exploring Relevance of Ancient Indian Education System (Gurukul Siksha Parampara): A Bibliometric Analysis of Thematic and Structural Aspects for Connectedness

This paper explores the thematic and structural aspects of ancient Indian education system (Gurukul Siksha Parampara) based on bibliometric data for its relevance and connectedness with the contemporary education. Contemporary Indian education system, prior to NEP 2020, has been heavily reliant on Eurocentric epistemologies that, for decades, suppressed the epistemic schemata to understand the cultural, social and knowledge contributions of Indian intellectual traditions. Indian knowledge tradition, that lived and survived through Gurukul Siksha Parampara (GSP), adopted an integral multi-layered and interconnected approach to knowledge. Using a bibliometric analysis of Scopus and Google Scholar database, the paper identifies publications that have contributed towards discourses exploring ancient Indian education for its connectedness into contemporary education. The analysis from Google Scholar data shows prominence of Indian Knowledge System (IKS), National Education Policy 2020 (NEP) and experiential learning in contemporary research. This implies a reawakening of interest in ancient knowledge traditions, contextualized through modern education indicating tilt towards renewed interest for GSP. The analysis from Scopus, illustrates the multidisciplinary nature of research that spans from educational structures to traditional sciences, agriculture, rainfall pattern, methods of ploughing and medicinal plants suggesting strong linkages towards GSP through studies in IKS. However, it also highlights gaps in thematic integration, especially concerning NEP 2020 and IKS, a research gap worth exploring. In this context, it becomes pertinent to study such an education system (GSP) that thrived due to a set of distinct methodologies based on IKS that employ such tools and strategies relevant even in present times, to achieve the aim of education in the post NEP 2020 era. Thus, this paper calls for initiating quality research in the areas of GSP, IKS and NEP 2020 for reviving the civilizational legacy of India.