Latest news with #ExploringSociety:IndianandBeyond
News18
31-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
NCERT Books May Not Be Accurate, But Muslim Rule In India Was Oppressive
The barbarity of Muslim rulers is well-documented, mostly by Muslim writers Revision of a Class VIII social science textbook by the National Council for Education Research and Training (NCERT) has once again brought the issue of the saffronisation of the education system, especially of historiography, to the fore. While the new NCERT outlook may be coloured with the ideological tilt of the ruling coalition, its opponents are not exactly impartial in their criticism. The book, Exploring Society: Indian and Beyond, informs students about the Sultanate and Mughal periods. It describes Babur as a 'brutal and ruthless conqueror, slaughtering entire populations of cities". Akbar, termed as a 'blend of brutality and tolerance", fares a shade better. Aurangzeb, too, has been depicted as the destroyer of temples and gurdwaras. But if the new NCERT books are inaccurate, Left-leaning historians and intellectuals are also presenting facts and arguments that are at variance with reality. For instance, the most visible public historian, Dr Ruchika Sharma, has claimed that the jizya tax was not used to spread Islam. But Firuz Shah Tughlaq, who ruled during 1351-88, wrote in his autobiography, 'I encouraged my infidel subjects to embrace the religion of the Prophet, and I proclaimed that everyone who repeated the creed and became a Musalman should be exempt from the jizya or poll-tax. Information of this came to the ears of the people at large, and great numbers of Hindus presented themselves, and were admitted to the honour of Islam. Thus they came forward day by day from every quarter, and adopting the Faith, were exonerated from the jizya, and were favoured with presents and honours." It was not just that the jizya was discriminatory; how it was collected was also humiliating. The taxpayer was ordered to offer the money, keeping his palm up; the collector snatched it rudely to show that the payer was at the mercy of the rulers. Sharma and others also try to normalise various barbaric Muslim invasions and the ensuing oppressive Muslim rule with the such-things-happened-in-those-times line. The underlying message is that the actions of medieval Muslim rulers should not be regarded as exceptionally brutal. Really? The famous American historian Will Durant wrote, 'The Islamic conquest of India is probably the bloodiest story in history. It is a discouraging tale, for its evident moral is that civilisation is a precious good, whose delicate complex of order and freedom, culture and peace, can at any moment be overthrown by barbarians invading from without or multiplying within." The barbarity of Muslim rulers is well-documented, mostly by Muslim writers. Consider Taimur (1336-1405), Central Asia's jihadist conqueror. I reproduce the sack of Delhi (December 1398) in his own words; one lakh Hindus were slaughtered in the massacre. The following passage is from his memoirs, Malfuzat-i-Timuri, quoted from HM Elliot and J Dowson, The History of India as Told by its Own Historians. 'On the 16th of the month… when the soldiers proceeded to apprehend the Hindus and gabrs (Parsis) who had fled to the city, many of them drew their swords and offered resistance. The flames of strife were thus lighted and spread through the whole city from Jahánpanáh and Sírí to Old Dehlí, burning up all it reached. The savage Turks fell to killing and plundering. The Hindus set fire to their houses with their own hands, burned their wives and children in them, and rushed into the fight and were killed. The Hindus and gabrs of the city showed much alacrity and boldness in fighting… On that day, Thursday, and all the night of Friday, nearly 15,000 Turks were engaged in slaying, plundering, and destroying. When morning broke on Friday, all my army, no longer under control, went off to the city and thought of nothing but killing, plundering, and making prisoners. All that day, the sack was general. (…) Excepting the quarter of the saiyids, the 'ulamá, and the other Musulmáns, the whole city was sacked… It was the will of God that this calamity should fall upon the city." Then there was Amir Khusru (1253-1325), or Amīr Khusrow. A Sufi musician, poet, and scholar, he is lionised as a symbol of composite culture, which is the desi term for multiculturalism. But he also celebrated jihad. As the historian Sita Ram Goel wrote, 'Amir Khusru describes with great glee how the heads of Brahmins danced from their necks and fell to the ground at their feet, along with those of the other 'infidels' whom Malik Kafur had slaughtered during the sack of the temples at Chidambaram." Goel has quoted passages from Khusru, like, 'When the royal army (of Alau'din Khalji) reached that province (Gujarat), it won a victory after great slaughter… The army of Islam broke the idols (at Somnath) and the biggest idol was sent to the court of the Sultan." This is Khusru—the icon of interreligious faith! Just because some votaries of Hindutva show excessive enthusiasm and prejudice in rewriting history doesn't mean that Muslim rule was humane. The author is a freelance journalist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. First Published: 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.
Indian Express
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Over 4.7 lakh pirated NCERT textbooks seized since 2024: Education Ministry tells RS
The Union Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, shared in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today that over 4.7 lakh pirated copies of NCERT textbooks have been seized from across the country since 2024. 'Instances of piracy of NCERT textbooks have been received from different parts of the country. During the years 2024 and 2025, approximately 4.71 lakh pirated copies of NCERT textbooks have been seized in various operations across different states. Piracy is driven primarily by commercial motives of unscrupulous elements,' Chaudhary said. 'The main objective of NCERT is to provide quality textbooks at a very affordable price to the last student across the country, on a no-profit and no-loss basis,' he added. The Minister of State (MoS) reported that over the past year, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has conducted raids on a record 29 locations associated with the production and sale of pirated textbooks. These operations targeted manufacturers of illegal NCERT watermarked paper as well. As a result, the NCERT seized stock and equipment valued at over Rs 20 crore. 'NCERT has also taken several proactive measures to hit at the very root of the piracy business, including a 20 per cent price reduction of NCERT textbooks, timely printing of NCERT textbooks, improved quality of paper and printing (using modern machines), and promotion of online sale of textbooks through e-commerce platforms. 'NCERT has also conducted a pilot trial of a technology-based anti-piracy solution on one million copies of a grade 6 textbook. This tech-based solution has been developed and patented by the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur,' he said. Meanwhile, the new NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook skips the mention of Tipu Sultan, Haidar Ali or the Anglo-Mysore wars of 1700s in its chapter on India's colonial era, which has been described as time when 'one of the richest lands of the world had become one of the poorest'. Part 1 of the textbook — 'Exploring Society: Indian and Beyond' — was released this week for use in the ongoing academic session. A second part is expected this year. The chapter on the colonial era covers the period from the late 1400s and the arrival of Vasco da Gama up to the late 1800s, including the 'Great Indian Rebellion of 1857'. It traces the shift of the British from being traders to rulers, refers to the Battle of Plassey — a decisive victory for the East India Company against Nawab of Bengal in 1757 — and the 'drain of India's wealth' during this period. (with PTI inputs)
News18
23-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
NCERT Textbook Revision: Bhagwat Says History Was Taught Through Western Lens, Congress Hits Back
Last Updated: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said: 'History we know has been taught through western lens. India has no significance. Geographically, India is there, but it does not exist in thought.' NCERT Textbook Revision: Bhagwat Says History Was Taught Through Western Lens, Congress Hits Back Amid the row over NCERT textbook revision, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said that so far history has been taught through western lens. 'We are in this advanced era, where the history we know has been taught through western lens… In this, India has no significance. Geographically, India is there, but it does not exist in thought," he said, addressing the '10th Anuvrat Vyakhyanmala'. Responding to the statement, Rajya Sabha LoP and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said, '…They reject the book 'Discovery of India' written by Jawaharlal Nehru and reject the things said by our History professors in Universities. The history of RSS is different from the history of the country." Congress's Pramod Tiwari said: 'Respected Mohan Bhagwat ji, stop worrying about the world – first worry about your BJP, your Prime Minister and your government. You are 75 years old, be careful – the way this government has insulted and disrespected the Vice President is unfortunate for the country." The NCERT's new Class 8 Social Science textbook points to 'instances of religious intolerance" during the period. It describes Babur as a 'brutal and ruthless conqueror, slaughtering entire populations of cities", Akbar's reign as a 'blend of brutality and tolerance", and Aurangzeb who destroyed temples and gurdwaras. The NCERT says the rationale for including them has been explained in a 'Note on Some Darker Periods in History" and one of the chapters in the book includes a cautionary note that 'no one should be held responsible today for events of the past". Part 1 of the Social Science book for Class 8 — 'Exploring Society: Indian and Beyond' — was released this week for use in the ongoing academic session. Of the new NCERT books, this is the first to introduce students to the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals. view comments First Published: 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.
Hindustan Times
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
NCERT issues clarification on revised Class 8 social science textbook content on Mughals: 'Facts based on…'
The National Council for Education Research and Training (NCERT) on Wednesday detailed its rationale behind modifying some content in its Class 8 social science textbook and said that the facts stated were "based on well-known primary and secondary academic sources". Cover of Part 1 of the Class 8 Social Science textbook that the NCERT released.(X/@ncert) Part 1 of the Class 8 textbook in question, titled 'Exploring Society: Indian and Beyond', introduces students to the Delhi Sultanate, Mughals, Marathas and more. The book emphasises "many instances of religious intolerance" during the Mughal era. "This textbook attempts to provide an idea about the geography, history (medieval & modern), economic life and governance of the country, from a multi-disciplinary perspective in an integrated way," the NCERT statement read. Introducing the book, the NCERT said it aims to avoid burdening the child with too much information and to develop a critical understanding. "Class 8 being the last year of the middle stage, the students are expected to acquire broad multidisciplinary perspective in understanding of our past between 13th to Mid-19th century and how the various events of that period have helped to shape and influenced the evolution of India of today," the NCERT said in a press release. The book references "brutal and ruthless conqueror" Babur's wiping off "entire populations of cities", and Aurangzeb destroying temples and gurdwaras. These references are made in the 'Note on Some Darker Periods in History' section at the beginning of the book. The section comes as a disclaimer for students before they begin learning about war and bloodshed. The NCERT says this section was added to "avoid generation of any prejudice and misunderstanding". "A cautionary note has been inserted in one of the chapters to make it clear that no one should be held responsible today for events of the past. The emphasis is on an honest approach to history with a view to drawing from it important lessons for a better future,' NCERT earlier said in a statement. It argues that the historical account mentioned in the book is evidence-based and balanced. 'Indian history cannot be cannot sanitised and presented as a smooth, happy development throughout. There were bright periods but also dark periods where people suffered, so we have given note on the darker chapters of history, and also given a disclaimer that no one today should be regarded as responsible for whatever happened in the past,' The Hindu quoted Michel Danino, head of NCERT's Curricular Area Group for Social Science, as saying. Although earlier editions addressed some of these topics in Class 7, the NCERT states that the timeline has now been moved entirely to Class 8, in accordance with the recommendations of the 2023 National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE).
The Wire
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
New NCERT Book Which Introduces Students to Delhi Sultanate, Mughals For First Time Highlights 'Brutality': Report
'[S]ome of the invaders and rulers mentioned above committed terrible deeds and atrocities,' but 'it is important to keep in mind that we, today, bear no responsibility for actions of individuals hundreds of years ago.' Group portrait of Mughal rulers, from Babur to Aurangzeb, with the Mughal ancestor Timur seated in the middle. On the left: Shah Jahan, Akbar and Babur, with Abu Sa'id of Samarkand and Timur's son, Miran Shah. On the right: Aurangzeb, Jahangir and Humayun, and two of Timur's other offspring Umar Shaykh and Muhammad Sultan. Created c. 1707–12. Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 igo New Delhi: The new Class 8 textbook of the National Council of Educational Research and Training describes the reigns of various Mughal emperors as brutal and intolerant with questionable notes at the end, the Indian Express has reported. The social science book 'Exploring Society: Indian and Beyond' which was released this week for the 2025-2026 academic session is now the first in the curriculum to introduce students to the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals, according to the NCERT. In it, the report says, students are introduced to Indian history of the period between the 13th and 17th century, covering the Delhi Sultanate, the Vijayanagara Empire, the Mughals and the rise of the Sikhs. While the NCERT had earlier made news because of the deletion of the Mughal era from history books, this one marks a new tactic on the part of the controversial textbook council. The Indian Express report notes that the old Class 7 NCERT book which had introduced students earlier to this period of history did not have any mention of "attacks on temples" and the "brutality" of some Mughal and Sultanate rulers. As The Wire reported earlier this year, the new social science textbook for Class 7 replaces three separate books for History, Geography, and Social and Political Life. The Part 1 of the book does not have any reference to the rise of the Delhi sultanate and the Mughal empire. The new Class 8 book, for the first time, introduces Mughals and the Delhi Sultanate. It describes Babur as a 'brutal and ruthless conqueror, slaughtering entire populations of cities', Akbar's reign as a 'blend of brutality and tolerance', and Aurangzeb as one who destroyed temples and gurdwaras. The book highlights 'many instances of religious intolerance' during the period. The NCERT told the paper that comparison with the old syllabus is "fruitless" as the new textbooks are "expected to reflect the NEP 2020 and the NCF-SE 2023." Strangely, according to the report, the NCERT says the rationale for including accounts on Mughal brutality has been explained in a 'Note on Some Darker Periods in History'. 'Understanding the historical origin of cruel violence, abusive misrule or misplaced ambitions of power is the best way to heal the past and build a future where, hopefully, they will have no place,' the note says. One of the chapters in the book, on the Mughal rulers, has a note which says 'some of the invaders and rulers mentioned above committed terrible deeds and atrocities,' but 'it is important to keep in mind that we, today, bear no responsibility for actions of individuals hundreds of years ago'. The Express report details how in individual chapters, Muslim rulers appear to have been singled out for their "brutality." The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
