Mughals & Delhi Sultanate Out; ‘Sacred Geography’, Kumbh & ‘Make In India’ In: NCERT Overhauls Class 7 Textbooks
In a significant revision of NCERT textbooks, all references to the Mughals and Delhi Sultanate have been removed from the Class 7 curriculum. The new textbooks, which were released this week, have incorporated chapters on ancient Indian dynasties, ‘sacred geography,’ the Maha Kumbh, and various government initiatives such as Make in India and Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao. These changes are part of an overhaul aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023. Both frameworks emphasise incorporating Indian traditions, philosophies, knowledge systems, and local context into school education.
NCERT officials stated that the revisions are part of the first section of the book, with the second section expected to be released in the coming months, news agency PTI reported. However, they refrained from commenting on whether the previously removed sections on the Mughals and Delhi Sultanate would be reinstated in the second part. It is worth noting that earlier, in 2022-23, the NCERT had already trimmed content on the Mughals and Delhi Sultanate, including detailed accounts of dynasties like the Tughlaqs, Khaljis, Mamluks, and Lodis, along with a two-page table of Mughal emperors’ achievements. The latest revision has now eliminated all references to these periods.
Social Science Textbook Explores Indian Dynasties, Maha Kumbh Mela, Constitution
The new edition of the Social Science textbook Exploring Society: India and Beyond introduces chapters on ancient Indian dynasties, such as the Magadha, Mauryas, Shungas, and Sātavāhanas, with a focus on Indian ethos. One of the significant additions is a chapter titled “How the Land Becomes Sacred.” This chapter delves into sacred places and pilgrimages, not only in India but also for religions like Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. It includes details on sacred geography, highlighting networks of revered places such as the 12 jyotirlingas, the Char Dham Yatra, and Shakti Pithas, along with natural sites like river confluences, mountains, and forests.
The textbook features 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.” It also highlights how the varna-jati system, initially intended to provide societal stability, became rigid, especially during British rule, resulting in widespread inequalities.
Another new addition to the textbook is a chapter on the Maha Kumbh Mela held earlier this year in Prayagraj, which saw around 660 million people participating. However, the chapter does not mention the tragic stampede that resulted in the deaths of 30 pilgrims and injuries to many others. References to government initiatives like Make in India, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and the Atal Tunnel have also been included.
The textbook includes a chapter on the Constitution of India, which highlights a pivotal moment when a citizen challenged a law that prohibited individuals from flying the national flag at their homes. In 2004, the Supreme Court ruled that flying the flag is a 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 chapter states.
In the English textbook Poorvi, nine out of 15 stories, poems, and narratives are by Indian writers or feature Indian characters, including works by Rabindranath Tagore, APJ Abdul Kalam, and Ruskin Bond. In comparison, the previous textbook Honeycomb contained only four stories by Indian writers out of 17 pieces.
The revision of NCERT textbooks has faced criticism, with opposition parties accusing the move of aligning with “saffronisation.” NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani, in a PTI interview last year, had remarked that teaching about riots could make young children “negative citizens.”
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