(Representative image)
New Delhi: The NCERT has reportedly removed all references to the Mughals and the Delhi Sultanate from its Class 7 school textbooks and added a chapter on Indian dynasties, ‘sacred geography’ and references to Maha Kumbh and government initiatives such as Make in India and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao in its latest revision.
Released this week, the new textbooks are designed to be in line with the new National Education Policy (NEP) and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023 that emphasises incorporating Indian traditions, knowledge systems, philosophies and local context into school education.
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Previously, during the Covid-19 pandemic, a detailed account of dynasties like Tughlaqs, Khalijis, Mamluks, and Lodis and a two-page table on Mughal emperors’ achievements were trimmed as part of its ‘syllabus rationalisation’ exercise.
However, this is reportedly the first time that all content related to Mughals and the Delhi Sultanate has been completely removed.
The social science textbook “Exploring Society: India and Beyond” has added new chapters on ancient Indian dynasties like the Magadha, Mauryas, Shungas, and Sātavāhanas with a focus on “Indian ethos”.
Another new chapter on sacred and pilgrimage sites across India and outside for religions including Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism has been named “How the Land Becomes Sacred”.
The chapter refers to places with 12 jyotirlingas, the Char Dham yatra, and the “Shakti pithas” with revered river confluences, mountains, and forests that have been mentioned as a “sacred geography”, according to a PTI report.
The new addition also claims that the “varna-jati system” initially provided social stability but became rigid, particularly under British rule, leading to inequalities.
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The Maha Kumbh Mela held in Prayagraj earlier this year is also mentioned in the book, which states how 660 million people participated in it. Notably, there is no mention of the tragic stampede in which 30 pilgrims died and several were injured.
The new textbook also includes references to the current central government’s initiatives like Make in India, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and the Atal Tunnel.
The changes in NCERT textbooks have been severely criticised by opposition parties and activists for undergoing “saffronisation”.
Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar slammed the decision and said, “Erasing history won’t achieve anything. Removing it from textbooks won’t change facts. But by doing this, what is their intention? Do they want to erase the message of brotherhood? Do they want to create fights between religions? This is absolutely not right.”
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PJ James, General Secretary of CPI(M-L) Red Star, described the move as “neo-Nazi glorification associated with “new history writing” or “historical revisionism” now widespread among neofascist circles in EU!”
NCERT’s Islamophobic move to erase chapters on Mughal history from class 12 textbooks is part of NEP’s saffronisation of education. It smacks of neo-Nazi glorification associated with “new history writing” or “historical revisionism” now widespread among neofascist circles in EU!
— P J James (@PJJamesRedStar) April 28, 2025
In an interview with the PTI last year, NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad had claimed that teaching students about riots can make children “negative citizens”.
