What Does It Really Mean to Be Educated? Education beyond classrooms.
- Reminiscing History
- 18 hours ago
- 3 min read
Ar. Parnavi Bangar
Education has never been a fixed idea. It has evolved with time, adapted to society and taken different forms across generations. Today, it exists in schools, colleges, universities and research institutions. Higher education extends to PhDs and beyond, but I believe one thing has remained constant,
‘we are all students for life’.
All photographs by Reminiscing History, Parnavi Bangar, All rights reserved.
Learning doesn't stop when we receive a degree.
One of the earliest organised systems of education in India was the Gurukul system, where learning extended beyond subjects. Students were encouraged to observe, communicate, think independently and understand the world around them. Over time, education continued to evolve, becoming more structured and, more importantly, more accessible to people from all walks of life.
But education was never confined to classrooms alone.
Across India, knowledge was preserved and shared in many different places, including temple complexes. They were not only places of worship but also centres where learning, discussions and the exchange of ideas took place. It is a fascinating subject in itself, and one that deserves a separate discussion.
As an architect, one of the subjects that changed the way I looked at the world was humanities. It taught us that architecture is much more than designing buildings. To understand architecture, we first needed to understand people. We studied how civilizations evolved, how societies responded to spaces, how art movements influenced architecture and how architecture, in turn, became a part of history.
Architecture is one of the most tangible forms of human heritage.
A historic structure tells us about the civilization that built it, the materials they used, their engineering techniques, climate-responsive design, craftsmanship, culture and way of life. Every monument is evidence that people lived there, solved problems, created art and imagined a future. Even a ruined structure continues to tell that story.
One question always comes up in our minds.
"Why don't we build like this anymore?"
The answer is far more complicated than a single blog can explain.
Many of the monuments we admire today were not built in a year or even within one person's lifetime. Temple complexes grew over generations. Rock-cut monuments took decades of careful planning and craftsmanship. Every carving, every pillar and every addition represented years of patience, skill and dedication.
All photographs by Reminiscing History, Parnavi Bangar, All rights reserved.
Understanding that changes the way we look at heritage. That is also why preserving them is important. Today, we may not build in the same way, but we are finding new ways to reconnect people with our cultural heritage.
At Reminiscing History, that has always been our purpose.
Whether it is through illustrations, research, blogs or experiences like Hampi Yatra, the aim is not simply to show people a monument but to encourage them to understand it, question it and become curious about it.
Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam once said,
"The best brains of the nation may be found on the last benches of the classroom."
To me, that quote is a reminder that education cannot always be measured by marks or degrees. Curiosity, observation and the willingness to keep learning are equally important.
The same applies to history.
History is built on evidence, but different historians may interpret that evidence differently. That is why I believe education is not about accepting the first thing we read. It is about reading multiple sources, understanding different perspectives, asking questions and then forming our own opinions through research.
That, to me, is what it truly means to be educated.
I hope that also explains the way Reminiscing History works.
Every blog published here includes a list of books, research papers and references that have helped shape the article. I always encourage readers to explore those sources because one blog can never tell the entire story. If a topic interests you, read further. Visit the places if you can. Join a heritage walk. Ask questions. Stay curious.
And if you ever need recommendations for books, research material or simply want to discuss history, heritage or architecture, feel free to reach out. We always reply.
Author: Ar. Parnavi Bangar
All pictures and All rights reserved ©Parnavi Bangar, Reminiscing History
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