The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has updated the Class 8 Social Science textbook to provide students with a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal eras in Indian history. This new edition introduces frank discussions about religious intolerance and harshness during these historical periods, accompanied by a clear disclaimer to contextualize these events.

What’s New in the Revised Textbook?

For the first time in the updated curriculum, Class 8 students are introduced to the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal rule through the book titled “Exploring Society: Indian and Beyond”. This marks a shift from earlier syllabi where this historical period was partially covered in Class 7.

The textbook’s chapters, notably “Reshaping India’s Political Map”, span from the 13th to the 17th century and explore the rise and fall of the Delhi Sultanate, the Vijayanagara Empire, the Mughal Empire, and the rise of Sikh power. The text does not shy away from detailing difficult aspects of this era, including political instability, military campaigns, plundering of villages and cities, and the destruction of temples and centers of learning.

Honest Portrayal of History

The book characterizes Babur as a “brutal and ruthless conqueror” responsible for the slaughter of entire populations, while Akbar’s reign is described as a complex mix of “brutality and tolerance.” It also touches on Aurangzeb’s actions, including the destruction of temples and gurdwaras. These descriptions are supplemented by a cautionary note reminding readers that contemporary individuals should not be held accountable for historical events.

This inclusion of difficult truths reflects NCERT’s commitment to presenting an evidence-based, balanced, and unvarnished portrayal of India’s past. The textbook explicitly encourages learning from history to build a better future.

Context Behind the Changes

Previously, such references to “brutality” and “religious intolerance” during the Sultanate and Mughal periods were not part of the school curriculum, particularly in the Class 7 textbooks. The current revisions aim to provide a fuller picture of history in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023.

NCERT has already released new textbooks for classes 1 to 4 and 6 to 7, and is in the process of rolling out updated books for classes 5 and 8, including this revised social science text.

NCERT’s Official Statement

In response to concerns, NCERT clarified that the textbook’s treatment of history “does not sanitise history” but is “balanced and entirely evidence-based.” The inclusion of a disclaimer titled “Note on Some Darker Periods in History” emphasizes that no present-day individuals are responsible for past events, and the purpose is to approach history honestly for the benefit of future generations.