Akbar’s regime was of “brutality” and “tolerance”, Babur a “ruthless conqueror” while Aurangzeb was a “military ruler” who reimposed taxes on non-muslims, says the NCERT’s new Class 8 textbook
NCERT’s New Class 8 Textbook Sparks Debate with Candid Take on India’s Medieval History
New Delhi, July 17, 2025 – The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has launched a new Class 8 Social Science textbook, *Exploring Society: India and Beyond*, under the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF SE) 2023. The textbook, which shifts the study of the Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, and colonial encounters from Class 7 to Class 8, aims to offer a more critical and layered perspective on India’s medieval history. However, its approach has ignited discussions, with some praising its objectivity and others criticizing its handling of sensitive historical events.
A Shift Toward Critical Analysis
The chapter *Reshaping India’s Political Map* covers political transformations from the 13th to 17th centuries, including the Delhi Sultanate, Vijayanagara Empire, Mughal dynasty, and Sikh resistance. Unlike earlier curricula, it encourages students to analyze history without assigning modern-day blame. The preface states, “History often highlights wars and destruction, but ignoring them is not the answer. We should examine these events objectively to understand their causes and prevent their recurrence.”
While educators have welcomed this focus on critical thinking, critics argue that the inclusion of violent episodes, such as temple destructions and massacres, risks inflaming communal tensions if not contextualized carefully. Some historians contend that the textbook’s attempt to balance conquest with cultural achievements may oversimplify complex historical motivations.
Babur’s Arrival: Strategy and Controversy
The textbook frames Babur, the Mughal dynasty’s founder, as a strategic leader whose victories, like the First Battle of Panipat in 1526, reshaped India’s political landscape. Citing the *Baburnama*, it highlights his use of field artillery while addressing his temple destructions and religious motivations. This candid approach aims to provide an unvarnished view, but critics argue it could perpetuate stereotypes about religious conquests without sufficient emphasis on the broader socio-political context.
Akbar’s Reign: A Complex Legacy
Emperor Akbar is portrayed as a ruler of contradictions, blending military conquests with efforts at religious tolerance. The textbook details the 1568 siege of Chittorgarh, marked by massacres and enslavement, alongside reforms like abolishing the jizya tax and promoting *sulh-i-kul* (universal peace). His translation of Hindu epics into Persian is presented as a cultural bridge. A quote from biographer Abul Fazl reflects his evolution: “I once forced others to follow my faith, but with wisdom, I grew ashamed.”
Some scholars praise this balanced portrayal, but others criticize it for potentially downplaying the scale of violence during Akbar’s conquests, arguing that the emphasis on his reforms might overshadow the human cost of his campaigns.
Aurangzeb: Expansion and Conservatism
Aurangzeb’s reign is depicted as a period of territorial growth paired with religious conservatism, including the reinstatement of the jizya, temple destructions in Banaras and Mathura, and persecution of Sikhs, Sufis, Jains, and Parsis. The textbook also covers his rise to power through a brutal succession struggle, including the execution of Dara Shikoh and imprisonment of Shah Jahan.
Critics argue that this portrayal risks reinforcing negative perceptions of Aurangzeb without adequately exploring the economic and administrative achievements of his reign. Some educators worry that focusing on his religious policies could alienate students or oversimplify his legacy.
NCERT’s Response to Criticism
Addressing concerns about the inclusion of violent events, NCERT stated, as quoted by ANI: “While these events cannot be erased, it is wrong to hold today’s generations accountable. Understanding the roots of violence and misrule is the best way to heal historical wounds and build a future free of such conflicts.” The council emphasizes that the textbook aims to foster critical thinking, presenting history as a series of choices and consequences rather than a narrative of heroes and villains.
However, some historians and parents argue that the textbook’s approach, while well-intentioned, may be too advanced for Class 8 students, potentially leading to misinterpretations without robust teacher training. Others commend NCERT for encouraging students to engage with history’s complexities rather than memorizing sanitized narratives.
