The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has recently updated its Class 8 textbooks, sparking considerable discussion and debate. These revisions involve highlighting the "brutality of the Mughals" and adding a "no blame" disclaimer, signaling a notable shift in the portrayal of this historical period.
The changes are implemented in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023. The updated curriculum aims to incorporate Indian traditions, philosophies, knowledge systems, and local contexts into school education.
One of the most significant aspects of the revision is the emphasis on the "brutality of the Mughals". While details of these specific portrayals are emerging, this approach suggests a move towards presenting a more critical perspective on the Mughal era, potentially focusing on aspects that have been previously under-represented in textbooks.
In addition to highlighting the Mughals' brutality, NCERT has included a "no blame" disclaimer. The purpose of this disclaimer is likely to prevent the development of prejudice or animosity towards any particular community based on historical events. This addition could be an attempt to promote a more balanced and nuanced understanding of history, discouraging generalizations and encouraging critical thinking.
These revisions are part of a broader trend of curriculum changes implemented by NCERT. In recent years, there have been deletions of content related to the Mughal Empire and the Delhi Sultanate from textbooks across different classes. For instance, entire chapters on the Mughal courts have been removed from Class 12 history syllabi. In Class 7, all references to the Mughals have been removed, replaced by chapters on ancient Indian dynasties and "sacred geography".
These removals have faced criticism from historians and educators who argue that they promote a narrow view of India's past. Some experts claim that these changes could lead to students growing up without knowledge of significant periods in Indian history. Concerns have also been raised about the potential for such revisions to reflect a particular political agenda.
Conversely, some argue that these revisions are necessary to correct historical imbalances and provide a more inclusive representation of Indian history. Supporters of the changes suggest that focusing on Indian dynasties and traditions can offer a more comprehensive understanding of the country's heritage. It is also stated that the goal is to make the history textbooks more inclusive by including other dynasties and giving them sufficient space.
The NCERT maintains that the revisions aim to reduce academic pressure on students, eliminate redundancy, and promote critical thinking. They also state that the changes reflect a "rationalization" strategy.
It's important to note that NCERT is introducing new textbooks for Classes IV, V, VII, and IX in the 2025-26 academic session. This follows the introduction of new textbooks for Classes I, II, III, and VI in previous years. These updated textbooks are designed to align with the NEP 2020 and NCF-SE 2023.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that NCERT textbooks for some classes would cost less from 2025. The process of updating textbooks according to the new National Curriculum Framework (NCF) is underway, with new books for classes 9-12 expected by the 2026-27 academic session.
