What were small huts with pointed roofs called where debates and discussions commonly took place in ancient India?

Kutagarashalas

The Buddhist texts provide a fascinating insight into the vibrant discussions and debates that flourished during ancient times. These texts mention the existence of numerous schools of thought, as many as 64 sects, which engaged in intellectual exchanges. Teachers, traversing different regions, endeavored to persuade both fellow philosophers and common people about the validity of their philosophical doctrines or their unique interpretations of the world.

These debates were commonly held in kutagarashalas, small huts with pointed roofs, or in tranquil groves where wandering mendicants sought shelter. Interestingly, when a philosopher managed to successfully convince one of their rivals, the followers of the latter would often become their disciples, leading to fluctuations in the support for each sect over time.