NCERT adds chapters on Delhi Sultanate, mentions 'brutality' of Mughals in class 8 textbook

The NCERT books for class 8 have new syllabus where they mention about Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals.

As per a report by The Indian Express, the texts in class 8 social science textbooks have described Babur as "brutal and ruthless conqueror, slaughtering entire populations of cities," and Akbar's reign is described as "blend of brutality and tolerance".

The books, as per the report have mentions of "instances of religious intolerance". It also have described Aurangzeb as someone who "destroyed temples and gurudwaras".

The book has a cautionary note in one of the chapters that reads "no one should be held responsible today for events of the past."

"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 read, as mentioned in the IE report.

Previously these topics were taught in class 7, however, now they will be included in class 8 syllabus. The NCERT has said that the rationale for additions of these topics is explained in one of the parts: "Note on Some Darker Periods in History".

The chapters based on Sultanate and Mughals have used terms like "attacks" on temple and "brutality".

For instance one of the excerpts from the chapter is mentioned in the report, which read, "Alauddin Khilji's General Malik Kafur attacked a number of Hindu centres such as Srirangam, Madurai, Chidambaram, and possibly Rameswaram".

Another chapter in the book talks about Marathas. In this chapter, Chhatrapati Shivaji is referred as "master strategist and a true visionary". Compared to the old book, the new one has some changes with context to the chapter on Marathas. The old book had noted that Shivaji "laid foundations of strong Maratha state with an efficient administrative system", and the new one explained that Shivaji respected other religions, and "rebuilt desecrated temple".

Earlier this year, the NCERT removed all references to the Mughals and the Delhi Sultanate from Class 7 textbooks, while introducing chapters on Indian dynasties, 'sacred geography’, Maha Kumbh and government initiatives like 'Make in India' and 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao'.