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The Print
29-04-2025
- Science
- The Print
Charaka Samhita to Arthashastra, new NCERT Class 7 science book highlights India's scientific heritage
The book, released Saturday, includes references to Sanskrit terms such as 'grahan' for eclipse, mentions Arthashastra by Kautilya, and also highlights the launch of the government's Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) launched on 15 August, 2020. The new textbook, Curiosity, is among the latest set of books released by NCERT under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the new National Curriculum Framework (NCF), which stresses content 'rooted in the Indian and local context and ethos'. New Delhi: References in the Charaka Samhita, an ancient Ayurvedic text, reveal how early scholars forecast monsoon's arrival by tracking star specific patterns, demonstrating India's deep scientific roots. National Council of Educational Research and Training's (NCERT) newly released Class 7 science textbook showcases such contributions to India's rich scientific heritage. The previous Class 7 Science textbook, used until the 2024-25 academic year, did not include such references. However, the Class 6 textbook released by the council last year incorporated various references to India's scientific history. In the foreword of the book, NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani writes, 'The content attempts to integrate science subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology, and earth science with cross-cutting themes like environmental education, value education, inclusive education, and Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS).' Also read: Modi gives students and parents tips on exams, leadership & more during Pariksha Pe Charcha Highlighting India's ancient scientific knowledge Chapter 9, Life Processes in Animals, emphasises the long-recognised importance of digestion in maintaining good health. It references The Charaka Samhita, an ancient Ayurvedic text, which highlights the role of easily digestible foods and the judicious use of spices like ginger, black pepper, and cumin to enhance digestion. In Chapter 10, Life Processes of Plants, the book draws from the ancient Indian text Vrikshayurveda. 'The knowledge in the text seems to be based on practical experiences and patterns seen over time. These ideas were then systematically documented to guide farming practices. For instance, there are references to different methods of organic manure preparation, such as mixing water, barley, and various seeds, like green, black, and horse grams,' the textbook states. In Chapter 12, titled Earth, Moon, and the Sun, the book discusses how an eclipse is referred to as grahan in Sanskrit and many Indian languages. It also mentions that many ancient Indian astronomical texts provide calculations to predict eclipses. 'The best known and most referred text is the Surya Siddhanta, which is written in the classical Sanskrit poetry tradition in rhythmic shlokas,' it states. In the chapter Measurement of Time and Motion, the book explains how ancient India used both shadows and water clocks to measure time. It mentions that the earliest reference to shadow-based time measurement is found in the Arthashastra by Kautilya, written between the 2nd century BCE and 3rd century CE. 'An accurate expression for time in terms of the shadow of a vertical stick was given by Varahamihira around 530 CE,' it adds. It says that water clocks, described in texts such as the Arthasastra and Sardulakarnavadana, were initially unreliable due to decreasing flow rates as water levels dropped. 'This led to the development of the sinking bowl water clock, or Ghatika-yantra, which was first mentioned by Aryabhata and then in several astronomical texts later. Time was measured constantly with Ghatika-yantra at Buddhist monasteries, royal palaces, town squares, and each time the bowl sank, it was announced by drums, conch shells, or striking a gong,' the book states, adding that while the Ghatika-yantra was eventually replaced by pendulum clocks in the late 19th century, it continued to be used in religious places for rituals. Contributions of Indian Scientists The book highlights various Indian scientists and their invaluable contributions to science. For instance, it mentions Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray (P.C. Ray), who is regarded as the 'father of modern Indian chemistry'. 'Through his writings on the history of chemistry in India, he highlighted the achievements and expertise of ancient Indian scientists to the modern world. Ray, a social reformer, also advocated the use of the mother tongue as a medium of instruction in educational institutions,' the book says. It further references Varahamihira, the renowned astronomer and mathematician of the sixth century CE from Ujjaini (modern-day Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh). 'In his work Brihat Samhita, he gave methods for predicting seasonal rainfall. His predictions of seasonal rainfalls were based on factors, such as cloud formation, wind patterns, position of stars and the moon, and other natural phenomena,' the new NCERT book states. The book also mentions Rustom Hormusji Dastur (1896–1961), who studied the role of water, temperature, and light colour in the process of photosynthesis, as well as scientist Kamala Sohonie, whose work helped improve the nutritive values of plant foods. She also researched the sap of the coconut palm, developing a nutritious drink called Neera. In a chapter on Adolescence, which mentions the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, the book says that the programme was 'launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, aiming to spread awareness about substance abuse through the active participation of youth, women, and the community.' (Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri) Also read: India's education spending falls behind other SAARC nations' like Bhutan & Maldives, notes House panel
The Print
27-04-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Mughals out, Magadha empire makes pages of new NCERT Class 7 textbook ‘rooted in Indian ethos'
The new textbook also includes a reference to the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela organised in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Further, it weaves in several Sanskrit terms throughout the different chapters, such as janapada (meaning 'where the people have settled'), samrāj ('supreme ruler'), adhirāja ('overlord'), and rājādhirāja ('king of kings'). New Delhi: Until last year, Class 7 students studied the Mughals and Delhi Sultanate as a part of their social science curriculum. But not anymore. The new NCERT textbook, revamped under the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), does not have the two chapters. In their place, it introduces new chapters on ancient Indian dynasties like the Magadha, Mauryas, Shungas, and Sātavāhanas with a focus on 'Indian ethos'. The new Class 7 textbook, Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Part-1, is the latest in NCERT's revamped series under the National Education Policy (2020) and the new NCF, which stresses content 'rooted in the Indian and local context and ethos'. After introducing new books for Classes 3 and 6 last year, NCERT has now rolled out updated versions for Classes 4 and 7. A senior NCERT official told ThePrint that Part-2 of the book is also scheduled for release in the coming months. 'Part-1 contains 12 chapters, which will be taught during the first six months of the academic session. Part-2 is expected to include several additional topics, so we request everyone to wait for its release,' said the official on condition of anonymity. While NCERT had previously trimmed sections on the Mughals and Delhi Sultanate—including a two-page table on Mughal emperors' achievements and detailed accounts of dynasties like the Mamluks, Tughlaqs, Khaljis, and Lodis as part of its syllabus rationalisation during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022–23, the new textbook has now removed all references to them. The book now has all new chapters with no mention of Mughals and Delhi Sultanate throughout. In the foreword of the textbook, NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani writes: 'The text integrates the values we desire our students to develop, is rooted in the Indian cultural context and introduces global perspectives in an age-appropriate manner.' Also Read: Ayurveda, Angula & shlokas find mention in new NEP-inspired NCERT Class 6 science textbook Focus on Magadha, Greeks, & Mauryas Chapter Five of the NCERT textbook, titled The Rise of Empires, focuses on the emergence of the Magadha dynasty—a powerful ancient kingdom located in what is now southern Bihar and surroundings. 'The period between the 6th and the 4th century BCE was one of profound change in north India…One of them, Magadha (modern-day south Bihar and some adjoining areas), rose in importance and set the stage for the fusion of many kingdoms into India's first empire. Powerful early kings, such as Ajātaśhatru, played a crucial role in establishing Magadha as a dominant centre of power,' a chapter in the book reads. The book further mentions that while Magadha was growing in the east, the northwest had smaller kingdoms along old trade routes to the Mediterranean. One of these was the Paurava kingdom, ruled by King Porus, mentioned in Greek records. It also mentioned how Alexander, the Greek king of Macedonia, defeated the Persian Empire to avenge past invasions, with some Indian soldiers fighting on the Persian side. His conquest spread Greek culture and created one of the largest empires in history. The chapter then focuses on the Maurya dynasty, highlighting the rise of Chandragupta Maurya, briefly touching on the story of Kauṭilya, and discussing Ashoka. It also details the significant contributions of the Mauryas to society and their achievements. Ancient Indian dynasties with focus on South The chapter sixth of the book titled The Age of Reorganisation, begins with Puṣhyamitra Śhunga establishing the Śhunga dynasty, which ruled over parts of north and central India. 'The period witnessed the revival of Vedic rituals and practices, but other schools of thought nevertheless continued to emerged as one of the preferred languages for philosophical and literary works,' the book states. It further touches upon the aśhvamedha yajña, a Vedic ritual conducted by many rulers to declare their position as the king. The chapter also covers the Sātavāhana dynasty, also known as the Andhra dynasty, which ruled the Deccan region and oversaw a period of flourishing agriculture and trade. A section titled Kingdoms and Life in the South highlights southern dynasties such as the Cholas, Pandyas, and Cheras, among others. Pilgrimage and the Sacred Land The Chapter 8, How the Land Becomes Sacred, begins with a verse from the Bhagavata Purana and explores how various places across India have become sacred through centuries of pilgrimage and belief. It emphasizes the deep spiritual connection people have with the land. The chapter includes a quote from Jawaharlal Nehru, who described India as a land of pilgrimages—from the icy peaks of Badrinath and Amarnath to the southern tip at Kanyakumari—united by a shared sense of culture and spirituality. It also highlights Prayagraj, the site of the Kumbh Mela, held every six years at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the invisible Sarasvati. Recognized by UNESCO as an 'intangible heritage of the world,' and how the 2025 Kumbh Mela drew an estimated 660 million pilgrims. The book also has a chapter on the Constitution of India, which mentions that there was a time when people were not allowed to fly the national flag at their homes. 'This changed in 2004 when a citizen felt it was his right to express pride in his country and challenged the rule in court. The Supreme Court agreed, saying that flying the flag is part of the Fundamental Right to Freedom of Expression. We can now fly the tricolour with pride, keeping in mind that it should never be dishonoured.' The book states that the government also creates opportunities for people to provide feedback on proposed laws or changes in rules. It mentioned how feedback was sought for draft amendments in aadhaar authentication for good governance rules in 2020. (Edited by Amrtansh Arora) Also Read: NCERT replaces cartoon on coalition govts in Class 12 book with box on India's success as democracy
