Gurudakhina is the gift from a student to a preceptor as honourarium for his service of teaching free of cost.

In ancient India, teachers (Guru) maintained schools which were called Gurukul. They did not take any wage from anyone. They were surviving on gift from the society and gurudakshina.

This practice continued in many parts of India until it became independent in 1947 and few years afterwards.

The teachers believed that the best gift is the gift of knowledge.

This system was replaced by modern education system.