The National Council for Education Research and Training (NCERT) has revised its Class 8 social science textbook to include references to the “religious intolerance” and “brutality” during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal periods, marking a significant shift in how these eras are introduced to students under the new curriculum guidelines. This revision, accompanied by a disclaimer, aims to present a more nuanced and evidence-based perspective on historical events while ensuring students understand these occurrences in their historical context without attributing present-day blame.
Revised Content and Historical Approach
NCERT’s new textbook, ‘Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 1),’ is designed for Class 8 students for the current academic year. The book covers Indian history from the 13th to the 17th centuries, focusing on the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughal period, and the rise of the Marathas and Sikhs. This marks a change from the previous curriculum, where this period was introduced in Class 7.
The chapters in the book, titled ‘Reshaping India’s Political Map,’ describe the Delhi Sultanate as a time of political instability and frequent military campaigns that often led to the plundering of villages and cities, as well as the destruction of temples and educational institutions. The book details the “brutality” of rulers like Babur, describing him as a “brutal and ruthless conqueror, slaughtering entire populations of cities,” while also acknowledging Akbar’s reign as a “blend of brutality and tolerance.” Aurangzeb is described as a ruler who destroyed temples and gurdwaras during his regime.
NCERT’s Clarification and Educational Philosophy
The NCERT has included a “Note on Some Darker Periods in History,” which clarifies that the inclusion of these historical facts is based on documented evidence and is intended to provide students with an honest and balanced view of history. The note emphasises that “no one should be held responsible today for events of the past,” underlining that the purpose of this historical approach is to draw lessons for a better future while refraining from sanitising the realities of history.
In its statement, NCERT highlighted that these historical details were included to ensure transparency in historical narratives while aligning with the principles of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023. The revised books reflect the council’s effort to promote critical thinking among students while ensuring that history is presented with accuracy and balance.
So far, NCERT has released new textbooks for classes 1 to 4, 6, and 7, and is now introducing revised books for classes 5 and 8. The new Class 8 book will be used in the current academic session, bringing the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal period studies to this level under the revised curriculum, while maintaining an evidence-based and reflective approach to understanding India’s past.
