Akbar misrepresented in textbooks? JNU scholar takes on NCERT over jizya claim

Time of India

20-07-2025

Dr. Ruchika Sharma
Dr. Ruchika Sharma, a historian specializing in medieval India, has raised questions about the recent revisions in NCERT history textbooks, particularly concerning the portrayal of Emperor Akbar and the tax system known as jizya.
Sharma has announced her intention to file a Right to Information (RTI) request against NCERT, challenging the accuracy and completeness of the content related to this period.
During a televised debate on a private channel, Dr. Sharma criticized the depiction of the Mughal era in the textbooks, calling out what she described as factual discrepancies and biased evaluations of historical figures. She specifically contested the claim that jizya was imposed as a means to pressure non-Muslims into converting to Islam, a point she says lacks credible historical backing.
Historian challenges textbook narrative on jizya
During the televised discussion, Dr Sharma stated that the textbooks misrepresent the timeline of Akbar's abolition of the jizya tax. According to her, the revised content suggests that Akbar abolished the tax only after consolidating his rule. Sharma contested this, asserting that Akbar began his reign in 1560 and abolished jizya by 1562, a time when he was still a young ruler and had not fully established control over the empire.
Dr Sharma cited the Ain-i-Akbari, a contemporary administrative document, as evidence that Akbar removed the jizya tax early in his rule due to its discriminatory nature. She said this decision had moral significance and was not simply a political strategy taken after gaining complete power.
Questions over conversion claims and demand for sources
Dr Sharma also raised concerns about the textbook's explanation of the purpose behind the jizya tax.
The textbook reportedly states that the tax was imposed to pressure non-Muslims to convert to Islam to avoid paying it. She refuted this claim, asking where it is documented in historical records that jizya served as an incentive for conversion.
'If NCERT is presenting this claim, I would like to file an RTI asking for the source,' she said during the debate. Dr Sharma emphasised the need for academic transparency and demanded that NCERT provide the original references for the content presented in the revised material.
Criticism of selective portrayal and terminology
In the same debate, Dr Sharma questioned the use of the term 'dark period' in describing certain historical eras. She called the label historically irrelevant and pointed to what she described as double standards in how different rulers are evaluated in the textbook content.
She further alleged factual discrepancies and incomplete narratives in several textbook sections.
'A lot of what has been written is simply false, and I can point out the facts to prove it. The portrayal of history is incomplete in many places,' she said.
Remarks on Shivaji draw political response
Dr Sharma also made a remark involving Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which prompted a response from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Amit Malviya, head of the BJP's IT cell, responded on social media platform X, stating that 'Comparing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to Mughal tyrants is not only a historical distortion but also a grave insult to the nation.'
He added that there is no historical evidence that Shivaji Maharaj looted or plundered Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar, who ruled Mysore from 1673 to 1704.
Scholar's background and public presence
Dr Ruchika Sharma holds a PhD in History from JNU and is known for her work on medieval Indian history. She regularly appears in national media debates on historical representation in education. She also runs a YouTube channel titled Eyeshadow & Etihaas, where she combines historical discussions with makeup tutorials.
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