NCERT book points out instances of ‘brutality’ in Mughal & Sultanate era

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Akbar’s regime was a blend of “brutality” and “tolerance”, Babur was a “ruthless conqueror”, while Aurangzeb was a “military ruler”, who re-imposed taxes on non-Muslims, says the new textbook.

On the first Mughal emperor, Babur, the book states that although his autobiography portrays him as being cultured and intellectually curious, he was also “brutal and ruthless”.

“Babur was also a brutal and ruthless conqueror, slaughtering entire populations of cities, enslaving women and children, and taking pride in erecting ‘towers of skulls’ made from the slaughtered people of plundered cities.”

The first part of the new Class 8 social science textbook, which has combined history, geography, civics and economics into one will be a resource for the first six months of the academic year for Class VIII. The Part II for the subject will be released later this year.

In earlier versions, the period of Delhi Sultanate was covered in Class VII. Now, these topics have been pushed to Class VIII, in line with the recommendations of the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE)-2023.

Offering context to the inclusion of new chapters, NCERT has also given a note titled “Darker Periods in History”. The note states, “No one should be held responsible today for events of the past.”

The section on the Delhi Sultanate regime stated that the period witnessed “numerous attacks on sacred or revered images in Buddhist, Jain and Hindu temples; such destruction was motivated not just by plunder but also by iconoclasm.”

The science textbook for Class VIII, Curiosity, also highlights India’s scientific heritage and contributions from early Indian discoveries to modern scientific concepts.

From ancient philosopher Acharya Kanad's concept of atoms (‘parmanu’) to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) missions, the textbook has integrated traditional knowledge with modern scientific education.

“This integration of traditional knowledge with modern scientific education is intended to develop curiosity, environmental awareness, ethical values and critical thinking,” reads the foreword for the book.

NCERT said that the textbook aims to foster scientific temper and rational thinking in students by providing real-life connections and promoting value-based education.

It stated that in 228 pages of Curiosity, sections like ‘Probe and Ponder’ and ‘Be a Scientist’ instil scientific temper among students.

“Long before modern vaccines, India had a traditional method called variolation to protect against smallpox,” reads a section titled ‘Our Scientific Heritage’ in the chapter ‘Health: The Ultimate Treasure’.

The chapter also features an ‘Ever Heard Of?’ section to highlight India’s recent contributions to global healthcare.

“Indian vaccine companies played a key role during the Covid-19 pandemic and continue to support the global health efforts,” it says, linking ancient practices to modern advancements.

In the chapter ‘Particulate Nature of Matter’, the textbook mentions that “Acharya Kanad, an ancient Indian philosopher, first spoke about the idea of a Parmanu (atom).”

Another chapter titled ‘Nature of Matter: Elements, Compounds and Mixtures’ mentions ancient Indian texts that have mentioned the use of alloys for medicinal purposes.

The book also includes different missions of ISRO such as Chandrayaan 1, 2 and 3 to study the Moon, Aditya L1 to study the Sun and Mangalyaan to study Mars.

A chapter on Major Somnath Sharma, India’s first Param Vir Chakra awardee, who was conferred the award for his bravery in the historic Battle of Budgam, has been included in the updated English textbook. The book also features stories of Verghese Kurien and Bibha Chowdhuri.

In ‘Santoor’, the Class 5 English textbook, the ‘Let us explore’ section asks students about the vocation they would like to pursue. It has numerous illustrations, including that of a woman pilot and photographer juxtaposed along a male chef and florist. The chapter on panchayat also features the illustration of a woman panchayat head.