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Indian Ethos and Knowledge Systems

By Prof. Mohammad Shaheer Siddiqui   |   Aligarh Muslim University
Learners enrolled: 1848
ABOUT THE COURSE:
The course provides an overview of India’s heritage and knowledge traditions across key themes of economy, society, polity, law, environment, arts, culture, ethics, science & technology, cinema and philosophy. It discusses and interprets the application of such knowledge traditions, not only to know and appreciate India’s vast treasure of Knowledge and skills but also to evaluate them through a multidisciplinary and multi-cultural lens and for obtaining transferable as 21st-century skills. It helps in understanding the essence of the term ‘Bhartiya Drishti (Indian way or perception) in the context of Indian socio-philosophical dimensions. It explores and disseminates the continuity of Indian Knowledge, skills and Intellectual traditions through the ages, across the culture, enriching the idea of India underpinned in shared knowledge and composite culture of unity in diversity. The course requires no pre-requisite knowledge or technical know-how. It will allow students to have a basic understanding of the knowledge traditions of India and how it has evolved over the ages and historical eras along with varied impacts of interconnected diversity. The course is particularly designed to enable ITEP and Undergraduate students to outline and interpret the processes and events of the formation & evolution of knowledge of India, but it is equally important got other learners who are interested in knowing about Indian treasure of knowledge traditions.   

INTENDED AUDIENCE: 

B.A, B.Ed. / B.Sc., B.Ed. Students of Four-Year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) run in Indian Universities and IITs. 

Students of General Courses in FYUP, Ability Enhancement Courses at UG/PG Level

Students preparing for UGC-NET, CUET, NCET and many competitive Exams as part of General Study Paper on IKS.

PREREQUISITES: Minimum Class XII in any Discipline No specific Course and pre-qualification is required. General understanding of Hindi and English Language.


INDUSTRY SUPPORT: Universities and whole academia
Indicative Industry Sectors :
Education and Training Accounting and Financial Services
Note: This is an indicative list based on suggestions provided by course coordinators and should not be treated as final and binding.
Indicative Program Alignments :
B.A.(Hons) B.Ed. B.Sc.(Hons) Show more
Summary
Course Status : Upcoming
Course Type : Core
Language for course content : English
Duration : 12 weeks
Category :
  • Teacher Education
Credit Points : 3
Level : Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Start Date : 26 Jan 2026
End Date : 30 Apr 2026
Enrollment Ends : 28 Feb 2026
Exam Date :
Translation Languages : English
NCrF Level   : 6.0 — 7.0
Industry Details : Education and Training

Page Visits



Course layout

Week 1: Introduction to Knowledge of India-I
1. Indian Knowledge: Definition, Scope, and relevance
2. Sources of Indian Knowledge Traditions- I: Indian Sources (Vedas, Upanishads, Purana, Kautilya)
3. Sources of Indian Knowledge Traditions-II: Foreign Sources (Travellers, Writers, Ambassadors and Wandering Saints etc.)
4. Need to revisit Ancient Indian knowledge and culture.
5. Indian Ethos: Meaning and sources

Week 2: Introduction to Knowledge of India-II
6. Knowledge Management in Libraries: From Ancient Traditions to the Digital Age-Part-I
7. Knowledge Management in Libraries: From Ancient Traditions to the Digital Age- Part-II
8. Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) Preserving India’s Ancient Wisdom
9. Key Principles-Part-I: Para-Apara Vidya, Trigunas, Four Purusharthas etc.
10. Key Principles-Part-II: Panch Mahakosha, Tri- Ratna, Ashtangik Marg, Yoga, Karma etc.

Week 3: Literature Arts and Culture-I
11. Literature: Sanskrit (religious literature, classical literature) 
12. Jain, Buddhist & Sangam Literature,
13. Sufi Literature (Indian poetry, folk literature)
14. Bhakti Literature (Mystical Literature, Social Reforms) 
15. Medieval Literature - I (Persian, Urdu, Hindi and other Regional Languages) 

Week 4: Literature Arts and Culture-II
16. Medieval Indian Literature-II  
17. National Culture of India: Features of Composite Culture
18. Fine arts and Performing Arts-I (Paintings, Folk Arts, 
19. Fine arts and Performing Arts-II (Music, dance forms)
20. Traditional Indian Food:-I (Seasonal and Regional Cuisine, Ayurveda Food)

Week 5: Literature Arts and Culture-III
21. Traditional Indian Food-II (Vegetarianism, Mughal Dastarkhwan)
22. Indian Festivals: National, Regional and Religious
23. Clothes (traditional, textile arts, religious costumes, Ethnic, Skills)-I
24. Clothes (traditional, textile arts, religious costumes, Ethnic, Skills)-II
25. Architecture: Temples, Palaces, Forts, Mosques and Monuments-I 

Week 6: Polity, Law System Technology and Economy-I
26. Architecture: Temples, Palaces, Forts, Mosques and Monuments-II
27. Architecture: Temples, Palaces, Forts, Mosques and Monuments-III
28. Kingship, Governance & Law System: Traces from Epics 
29. Development of village (Local Administration) and urban administration
30. Public administration & its sources: Kautilya’s Arthasastra

Week 7: Polity, Law System Technology and Economy-II
31. Basis of Law: Dharmashatra; Criminal Justice: police, jails, and punishments;
32. Traditional Indian values (Texts: Panchatantra, Hitopdesh, Jatakas)
33. Economic System Harappan to Vedic Age: (agriculture; trade & commerce)
34. Economic System Guptas: (guilds, writings, trade & commerce) 
35. Education in India: (Gurukulam, Temples, Vihars, Madrasas, Khanqahs

Week 8Environment & Health
36. Society & Environment: Sustainability, best practices, indigenous knowledge 
37. India’s Health Tradition: Ayurveda System- Susruta & Charaka Samhitas
38. Ashtvaidya tradition of Kerala; 
39. Mental Health: I- Manas, Atma, (Ancient Indian Texts)
40. Mental Health: II- Scientific Temper, (Ancient Indian Texts)

Week 9: Schools of Philosophy: Ethics & Values
41. Indian Philosophy: Basic Characteristics 
42. Ethics & Values: Sources and Implications
43. Vedic Schools of Philosophy 
44. Non-Vedic Schools of Philosophy: 
45. Carvaka: Material Traditions

Week 10: Continuity of Philosophical Systems
46. Sramana Traditions and 6th Century Renaissance. (Jain, Buddhist)
47. Vedanta Philosophical Systems-I:  Advaita Vedanta 
48. Vedanta Philosophical Systems-II:  Vishisth-Advaita
49. Practical Vedanta: Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Mission 
50. How do Indians value spirituality? Spirituality Social Responsibility;

Week 11: Intellectual Traditions
51. History of Linguistics in India 
52. Ethics, morality, and social dilemma, and their relevance 
53. Rekhta: A Language of Indian Culture and Ganga-Jamuni Tehzib
54. The Making of Constitution and the Idea of India 
55. Role of Cinema as Social Pedagogy   

Week 12: Educational Traditions
56. Colonial Education: Schools, Colleges, Universities 
57. Curriculum: Mathematics, Sciences and Vocational Education 
58. Language as building Blocks to different cultures and Society
59. Bhartiye Drishti: Indian Way of Thinking and Perception-Part-I
60. Bhartiye Drishti: Indian Way of Thinking and Perception-Part-II.

Books and references

  • Alteker, A.S. (2009) Education in Ancient India, Delhi: Disha Books
  • Chatterjee, S., Datta, D. (2023) An Introduction to Indian Philosophy, New Delhi: Rupa Publications
  • H. B. Mukherjee (2020) Education for Fullness: A Study of the Educational Thought and Experiment of Rabindranath Tagore (Second Edition), New Delhi: Routledge India
  • Hiriyanna, M. (1995) The Essentials of Indian Philosophy, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidas
  • Husain, Abid (1978) The National Culture of India, Delhi: National Book Trust
  • Kabir, Humayun (1961) Indian Philosophy of Education, London: Asia Publishing House
  • Mookerjee, R.K (2016) Ancient Indian Education: Brahmanical and Buddhist, Delhi:- MLBD
  • Rizvi, S.A.A. (1995) History of Sufism in India: Vol-I & II, Delhi: Munshiram Manohar lal
  • Sharma, C. (2016) A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy, Delhi: Motilal Banarasi Das
  • Siddiqui, M.S. (2019) Sufism, the Education of Heart-A Brief Introduction to Educational Aspects, Kolkata: 24by7 Publications.
  • Sinha, H.P. (1963) Bhartiya Darshanik Rooprekha (Hindi), Patna: Motilal Banarsidas
  • Ahmad, Laiq (2005) Madhyakaaleen bhartiye Sanskriti, Allahabad: Sharda Pustak Bhavan
  • Altekar, A.S. (2010) Education in ancient India, Delhi: Gyan Books
  • Basham, A.L. (1997) Adbhut Bharat (The Wonder that Was India), Agra: Shivlal Agarwal & Co.
  • Bhargava, P. and Chakraborty, C. (2007) Angels, Devil and Science, Delhi: National Book Trust
  • Chopra P.N., Puri B.N. & Das M.N. (1974) A Socio Cultural and Economic History of India Vol-I & II, Delhi: McMillan
  • Dube, S.C. (1990) Indian Society, Delhi: National Book Trust
  • Gerber, W. (1967) The Mind of India, London: Southern Illinois University Press
  • Pandey, Rajendra (1976) Bharat ka Sanskritic Ithihas, Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan
  • Rahman, Jamal (2015) Sufi Tales, Mumbai: Jaico Publishing House
  • Raza, Moosa (2012) In Search of Oneness, Gurgaon: Penguin Random House India
  • Rizvi, S.A.A. (2005) The Wonder that Was India Vol-II (1200-1700), London: Picador
  • Sen, Amartya (2005) Argumentative Indians, London: Penguin Books
  • Singhania, Nitin (2022) Indian Art and Culture, Delhi: Mc Graw Hill
  • Tagore, R.N. (1931) The Religion of Man, Santiniketan: Visva Bharati Press
  • Habib, Irfan (2008) Technology in Medieval India (650-1750), Delhi: Tulika Books
  • Srimali, K.M. (2007) The Age of Iron and the Religious Movements, Delhi: Tulika Books

Instructor bio

Prof. Mohammad Shaheer Siddiqui

Aligarh Muslim University
Before joining the Department of Education at AMU, Aligarh in 2021, Mohammad Shaheer Siddiqui has served two other central universities; first as Associate Professor of Education at Tezpur University Assam during 2019 to 2021 and second, during 2010 to 2019 as Assistant Professor at Visva-Bharati Santiniketan, A Central University and Institution of National Importance in West Bengal founded by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. He has also served as a school teacher in Public Education System during 2001 to 2010. For the last 15 years, his main areas of teaching and research include Philosophy and Sociology of Education and History of Indian Education. He has a particular passion for Sufism and Indian Spiritual Traditions with their educational relevance. He wrote his Ph.D. thesis on the topic, 'A Critical Study of Sufism with reference to Educational Aspects'. He has done Masters' Degree in English literature, Philosophy and Economics, apart from B.Ed. and M.Ed. He has edited three Books and published three Monographs. More than 38 Research papers, articles and book chapters on different themes are credited to his publication journey. He has delivered more than 60 lectures as Resource Persons in UGC-MMTTC, university Departments RIE Bhubaneswar IPS Academy Hyderabad and NTA Mysore etc. and has presented papers and in more than 40 National and International Conferences in various Institutes of eminence including JNU, BHU, NERIE, NEHU Shillong, NCERT, Central University of Sikkim, IIAS Shimla etc. Four Scholars have completed their research work in his supervision and awarded Ph.D. and Six Scholars are currently doing Ph.D. in his supervision. He firmly believes in the Education of Heart in Teaching and Learning culture.

Course certificate

The course is free to enroll and learn from. But if you want a certificate, you have to register and write the proctored exam conducted by us in person at any of the designated exam centres.
The exam is optional for a fee of Rs 750/- (Rupees Seven Hundredand Ffity only).
Fee for General (UR) ₹ 750/- (per course) for one course
₹ 600/- (per course) for additional course(s)
Fee for Gen-EWS / OBC-(NCL) / SC / ST / PwD / PwBD ₹ 500/- (per course) for one course
₹ 400/- (per course) for additional course(s)
Date and Time of Exams: To be declared later by NTA
Registration url: Announcements will be made when the registration form is open for registrations.
The online registration form has to be filled and the certification exam fee needs to be paid. More details will be made available when the exam registration form is published. If there are any changes, it will be mentioned then.
Please check the form for more details on the cities where the exams will be held, the conditions you agree to when you fill the form etc.

CRITERIA TO GET A CERTIFICATE

Average assignment score = 25% of average of best 8 assignments out of the total 12 assignments given in the course.
Exam score = 75% of the proctored certification exam score out of 100

Final score = Average assignment score + Exam score

Please note that assignments encompass all types (including quizzes, programming tasks, and essay submissions) available in the specific week.

YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CERTIFICATE ONLY IF AVERAGE ASSIGNMENT SCORE >=10/25 AND EXAM SCORE >= 30/75. If one of the 2 criteria is not met, you will not get the certificate even if the Final score >= 40/100.

Certificate will have your name, photograph and the score in the final exam with the breakup. It will have the logos of INI and AMU.

Only the e-certificate will be made available. Hard copies will not be dispatched.

Once again, thanks for your interest in our online courses and certification. Happy learning.

- INI Team
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