Historical Scrutiny Of Akbar, Babur In School Books Not New
NCERT's decision to give Hindi titles like Mridang, Santoor, and Poorvi to English textbooks has sparked a nationwide language debate. The move is seen as part of NEP 2020's push for cultural integration, though no official clarification has been issued. While the NCERT claims these updates are designed to reduce curriculum load and foster culturally rooted learning, critics argue that some changes reflect ideological bias or historical distortion.
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The Class 12 textbooks now emphasize indigenous continuity between Harappans and modern South Asians, challenging earlier views on distinct Vedic arrivals. It reflects ongoing archaeological discoveries at Rakhigarhi
Several NCERT history and political science textbooks have undergone content revisions as part of the curriculum rationalisation process. These include the removal or condensation of sections related to events like the Gujarat riots, the Babri Masjid, and references to certain political developments, aimed at reducing textbook load and streamlining content under NEP 2020.
The Class 8 Social Studies textbook Exploring Society: India and Beyond has updated its portrayal of Mughal rulers as part of recent curriculum revisions. Descriptions now refer to Babur as 'ruthless' and Akbar as 'brutal but tolerant', while Aurangzeb is presented with more nuance, moving away from earlier moral judgments. A footnote in the chapter clarifies that the objective is to understand historical developments rather than assign blame.
These changes have sparked criticism from some historians, who argue that the revised language may oversimplify complex historical figures and potentially reflect a biased narrative.
The NCERT's new Class 8 Science textbook, Curiosity, brings a fresh approach to learning by blending traditional Indian scientific wisdom with modern discoveries. Aimed at sparking curiosity and deeper thinking among students, the book takes readers on a journey from ancient philosophies like the concept of Parmanu to India's space missions, offering a uniquely Indian perspective on science education. 'Particulate Nature of Matter' now introduces students to Acharya Kanad, the ancient Indian philosopher who conceptualized the idea of the Parmanu (atom) centuries before modern atomic theory took shape.
ISRO Missions Featured: The textbook now includes India's space milestones—Chandrayaan 1, 2 & 3, Aditya L1, and Mangalyaan—to connect students with contemporary Indian science and technology. A dedicated 'Our Scientific Heritage' section in the 'Health: The Ultimate Treasure' chapter talks about variolation, a traditional Indian technique used to protect against smallpox, showcasing pre-modern disease prevention methods.
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