In a move that has stirred public discourse across academic and political circles, the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has introduced a new Class 8 Social Science textbook that candidly addresses the violence and religious intolerance during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal periods. The textbook is part of a broader curriculum overhaul aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023.
The first part of the Class 8 Social Science textbook, titled “Exploring Society: India and Beyond”, was released earlier this week for use in the ongoing academic session. According to an Indian Express report, the book breaks away from older, more nuanced portrayals of rulers like Babur, Akbar, and Aurangzeb, offering instead a more direct and sometimes unsettling account of their reigns.
Brutality and Tolerance in Equal Measure
In the chapter titled “Reshaping India’s Political Map”, the textbook characterizes Babur as a “brutal and ruthless conqueror, slaughtering entire populations of cities.” Akbar’s reign is described as “a blend of brutality and tolerance,” while Aurangzeb is noted for his systematic destruction of temples and gurdwaras, with multiple references to religious intolerance under his rule.
This chapter also discusses the rise and fall of the Delhi Sultanate, the resistance it faced, and the eventual emergence of the Mughal Empire and the Marathas. The Vijayanagara Empire and the rise of Sikhism are also included to provide a broader political and cultural context of the time.
The Sultanate period, in particular, is described as one of “political instability and military campaigns,” with references to cities being plundered and cultural institutions, including temples and seats of learning, being destroyed.
A “Note on Some Darker Periods in History”
To address potential backlash, NCERT has included a special section titled “A Note on Some Darker Periods in History”. The note explains the rationale behind including references to violence and intolerance, stressing that the historical accounts are “evidence-based” and not meant to incite blame or division.
“The events… did happen and left their mark on Indian history; the rationale for including them has been explained in the ‘Note on Some Darker Periods in History’,” the council said in a statement.
In an important caveat, the book includes a cautionary note stating:
“No one should be held responsible today for events of the past.”
NCERT insists that the new material reflects an “honest approach to history” aimed at helping students draw important lessons for a better future. The objective, according to the council, is not to sanitize history but to present it in a balanced and transparent manner.
Shifting Historical Narratives in Classrooms
Until now, the history of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire was introduced in Class 7. However, under the new curriculum, this entire era, including the Marathas and emerging Sikh resistance, has been moved to Class 8. The shift is part of an effort to restructure how Indian political history is taught to school children.
This change is the first major instance where these historical periods are being introduced under the new NEP framework in middle school. Previously, topics like the architectural achievements and administrative reforms of Mughal rulers were often emphasized. Now, the narrative takes a more comprehensive, and at times controversial, look at the complexities of their rule.
What Lies Ahead
The rollout of the new Class 8 textbook follows the earlier release of new curriculum materials for Classes 1 to 4 and 6 to 7. Additional books for higher classes are expected in the coming months as NCERT continues to revamp school education under NEP 2020.
While some educators and historians have praised the NCERT for its transparency and commitment to evidence-based history, others worry about the possible politicization of historical narratives. Critics argue that an overemphasis on brutality could overshadow the rich cultural and intellectual legacies of the time.
Nevertheless, the NCERT maintains that the revised approach will help students engage more critically with the past, fostering a deeper understanding of India’s diverse and often turbulent history.
