Medieval Period (AD 1200-AD 1700):
The invasion of the Muslims paved the way for Muslim education in India. Even though Muslim education came into existence, some parts of the country still had the Brahminical system of education. The Muslim rulers of the medieval period had shown more interest in political affairs than the spread of education.
The Muslim rulers started education by opening educational centres called Maktabas (schools) and Madrasahs (colleges). Maktabas were centres of primary education, which provided knowledge in basic concepts like alphabets, reading, writing and simple arithmetic, and religious instruction. The madrasahs catered to the needs of higher education which taught grammar, rhetoric, logic, theology, metaphysics, literature, jurisprudence, and sciences. Education started with a ceremony called bismillah, imparted by the teacher Moulavi. After the completion of education in maktaba, students enrolled in madrasahs for higher education, where lectures on higher education were given by eminent teachers/lectures. Many teachers were appointed in these madrasahs by the state to impart education to the students. The rulers of the Tughlak dynasty provided financial assistance for the running of madrasahs.
Muhammad Ghori took an interest in opening mosques and colleges at Ajmer to train teachers, precepts of Islam, and teachings of Mohammedan law. Muslim ruler Firoz Shah Tughlaq had shown interest to provide financial assistance to these educational centers. Similarly, Akbar opened many madrasahs during his period for higher education.
During this period, the method of teaching in maktabas and madrasahs were oral and the moulvies enjoyed high respect. They were entrusted with the duty of teaching students. They were respected by the society and students. Past references show that no specially designed teacher-training techniques existed in the medieval period. Arrangements like food and lodging were provided to the teachers of medieval period. So as to reduce the burden of work of teachers, students of higher classes were entrusted to teach the students of lower classes. Students were provided ample freedom to develop themselves during this period. Much care and investment were made for the growth of education in the medieval period.