
NCERT Omits Tipu Sultan, Anglo–Mysore Wars From Class 8 Social Science Textbook
Michel Danino, chair of the textbook development committee, said the decision was taken as including every war would revert to a 'cramming' style filled with dates and battles
NCERT's newly released Class 8 Social Science textbook, in the news for highlighting the 'brutality" of Mughals, also excludes Tipu Sultan, Haider Ali, and the four Anglo–Mysore Wars from its chapter on colonial rule.
While the book, Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 1), traces early European arrival—from Vasco da Gama to the Battle of Plassey—and highlights economic exploitation, the 1857 Rebellion, and cultural looting, the Mysore resistance is notably absent.
Instead, NCERT includes uprisings such as the Sannyasi–Fakir rebellion, Kol and Santhal insurrections, and the Anglo–Maratha Wars. It even asserts that 'the British took India from the Marathas more than from the Mughals or any other power".
Explaining the change, Michel Danino, chair of the textbook development committee, emphasised that the book serves as an overview and not a comprehensive history. He noted that including every war would revert to a 'cramming" style filled with dates and battles—and confirmed that Tipu Sultan and the Anglo–Mysore Wars won't likely feature in Part 2 either, India Today reported.
The revised edition also brings fresh perspectives: it spotlights the economic 'drain" on India, estimating a loss of $45 trillion (modern value) from 1765 to 1938, debunks the notion that railways and telegraphs were British benevolence—revealing they were funded by Indian taxes—and highlights widespread cultural theft from colonial powers.
However, critics argue the exclusions downplay significant chapters of India's resistance. Tipu Sultan, known as the 'Tiger of Mysore" who led four major wars between 1767 and 1799 with innovations like iron cased rockets, is a key figure lost in this narrative, the Indian Express reported.
The textbook had also raised eyebrows for depicting Babur as a 'brutal and ruthless conqueror who slaughtered entire populations of cities", Akbar's reign as a 'blend of brutality and tolerance", and Aurangzeb as one who demolished temples and gurdwaras.
NCERT explained the inclusion of these descriptions in a 'Note on Some Darker Periods in History", with one chapter including a cautionary statement that 'no one should be held responsible today for events of the past".
NCERT has been bringing out new school textbooks in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023.
view comments
First Published:
July 17, 2025, 16:07 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

New Indian Express
24 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
UK, India say no room for double standards on terrorism in Modi–Starmer talks
NEW DELHI: India and the United Kingdom on Thursday sent a strong, united message against terrorism, with both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer agreeing that there can be no double standards in tackling extremism. Following a bilateral meeting at the Chequers Estate, Modi thanked Starmer for the UK's strong condemnation of the April terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives. 'We are united in our view that there can be no place for double standards in the fight against terrorism,' Modi said. 'We also agree that forces with extremist ideologies must not be allowed to misuse democratic freedoms. Those who misuse democratic freedoms to undermine democracy itself must be held to account.' The statement, also seen as a veiled reference to pro-Khalistani activities abroad, comes amid growing Indian concern over threats to Indian diplomats and missions in the UK. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri later said that India had raised the issue during the bilateral talks. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation between their security agencies, including on the extradition of economic offenders, a longstanding demand from India involving several high-profile fugitives residing in the UK. The two leaders also discussed regional and global challenges. 'We exchanged views on peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, the conflict in Ukraine, and the situation in West Asia,' Modi said. 'India supports the early restoration of peace and stresses that respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations is essential. The demand of today's era is not expansionism, but developmentalism.' Modi also expressed condolences for British nationals who died in last month's Air India crash in Ahmedabad. The meeting, which included a private one-on-one between the leaders, also laid the foundation for a long-term bilateral agenda. A 'Vision 2035' roadmap is being drafted to energize the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership over the next decade, spanning trade, defence, clean energy, and technology cooperation.
&w=3840&q=100)

Business Standard
24 minutes ago
- Business Standard
PM Modi uses cricket metaphor to describe strong India-UK partnership
"There may be a swing and a miss at times, but we always play with a straight bat!" Prime Minister Narendra Modi told his British counterpart Keir Starmer on Thursday as he used a cricketing metaphor to describe India's partnership with the UK. Modi also said that India was committed to building a high-scoring, solid partnership with the UK. "For both of us, Cricket is not just a game, but a passion. And also, a great metaphor for our partnership. There may be a swing and a miss at times, but we always play with a straight bat! We are committed to building a high-scoring, solid partnership," Modi said in his media statement after bilateral talks with Starmer. He said the agreements signed today and Vision 2035 are milestones that take this spirit forward. India and the UK inked a landmark free trade agreement on Thursday. Prime Minister Modi, along with Prime Minister Starmer, also interacted with players of the 'Buckingham Street Cricket Hub' in London. Cricket, which is believed to have originated in the UK, is the most popular sport in India. The Indian cricket team, led by Captain Shubman Gill, is currently touring England for a five match test series. The two teams are playing their fourth test match in Manchester.


Mint
24 minutes ago
- Mint
First visuals! PM Modi meets King Charles at Sandringham House hours after India-UK ink FTA
After holding wide-range discussions with his UK counterpart Keir Starmer and inking a landmark free trade agreement (FTA) between the UK and India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met King Charles in Norfolk. King Charles received PM Modi at the Sandringham House in Norfolk, England. 'During their time together, His Majesty was given a tree to be planted this Autumn, inspired by the environmental initiative launched by the Prime Minister, 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', which encourages people to plant a tree in tribute to their mothers,' the Royal Family said in a post on X. PM Narendra Modi kicked off his two-day visit to the UK on Wednesday (local time) to expand bilateral ties in defence, trade, and technology. PM Modi and his UK counterpart Keir Starmer on Thursday endorsed the new 'India-UK Vision 2035' which will steer the bilateral ties for the next 10 years with a focused and time-bound programme of action in key pillars such as economy and growth, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate action and education. India signed a free trade agreement, officially dubbed as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), with the UK – its 16th trade pact so far – as the country aims to boost bilateral trade and investments. The deal was signed by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his British counterpart Jonathan Reynold in the presence of PM Modi and Starmer. The FTA is expected to benefit 99 per cent Indian exports from tariff and will make it easier for British firms to export whisky, cars and other products to India, besides boosting the overall trade basket, according to Indian officials. The deal, firmed up after three years of negotiations, is expected to ensure comprehensive market access for Indian goods across all sectors and India will gain from tariff elimination on about 99 per cent of tariff lines (product categories) covering almost 100 per cent of the trade values, they said. From London, Modi will travel to the Maldives at the invitation of President Mohamed Muizzu in what is being seen as a breakthrough in the ties between the two countries following a spell of frostiness under Muizzu. During his July 25-26 trip to the Maldives, Modi will hold extensive talks with President Muizzu and inaugurate several India-assisted development projects in the island nation. The prime minister will also be the guest of honour at the Maldivian Independence Day celebrations on July 26. "The prime minister's state visit also happens to be the first state visit of a head of government that President Muizzu is hosting in his presidency since he assumed the office in November 2023," Vikram Misri, foreign secretary, said. 'The Maldives is a very close partner in our neighbourhood, a very important partner in India's Neighbourhood First policy, and as part of the MAHASAGAR vision of India, which is Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions,' he added. Misri also mentioned the India-Maldives joint vision for a 'Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership' that was finalised last year. 'This joint vision, in a sense, has become the guiding framework for our ties,' he said.