NCERT Class 8 social science textbook flags ‘brutality’ of Mughals, with no-blame disclaimer
New Delhi: The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has revised its Class 8 Social Science textbook to include content highlighting the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal era, reportedly pointing to "many instances of religious intolerance" during these periods.
The new textbook describes Babur as a “brutal and ruthless conqueror, slaughtering entire populations of cities,” while portraying Akbar’s reign as “a blend of brutality and tolerance.” Aurangzeb, it notes, ordered the destruction of temples and gurdwaras, The Indian Express reported.
To frame the context, the NCERT has included a “Note on Some Darker Periods in History,” and one of the chapters in the book includes a cautionary note that “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,” TIE quoted the note as saying.
Michel Danino, the head of NCERT’s Curricular Area Group for Social Science, defended the revisions, stating that understanding Mughal rulers requires acknowledging the complexities of their personalities. “Akbar himself admits he was brutal in his younger days. We are not demonising Akbar or Aurangzeb, but we have to show these rulers had their limitations and committed cruel deeds,” The Hindu quoted Danino as saying.
Earlier NCERT textbooks did not go into such detail regarding Babur, Akbar, or Aurangzeb, according to reports. In previous editions, content on the Mughal period was part of the Class 7 history textbook.
The changes come as part of a broader curriculum revamp under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the new National Curriculum Framework.
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Unruly scenes witnessed in Punjab Assembly
Chandigarh (PTI): The Punjab Assembly on Friday witnessed high drama on Friday after Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira made an allegedly objectionable remark against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during an intense argument over the alleged use of mobile phone in the house by the legislator.
During the one-day special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha here, Mann accused Khaira of using a mobile phone when Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan was reading out an official resolution on the revision of wages.
After rising from his seat, the chief minister pointed to the speaker, claiming that Khaira is busy on his mobile phone and urged him to ask the Congress MLA what Sandhwan had said about the resolution.
The speaker then asked Khaira to maintain order in the house and listen to the resolution carefully.
Mann then asked Khaira, "Why don't you go out and then use it (mobile phone)," which led to a strong verbal altercation during which the opposition MLA hurled an accusation against the chief minister. Meanwhile, the speaker appealed for order and insisted that the chair be addressed.
However, both Mann and Khaira continued arguing and could be seen pointing fingers at each other as the proceedings of the house were disrupted.
The AAP MLAs also rose from their seats with Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema condemning Khaira for his conduct and demanded action against him.
Cheema further alleged that Khaira "always tries to disturb the house" as he spoke about his conduct in the assembly.
The incident occurred as an official resolution on the revision of wages was presented at the special session by Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond who said it paid homage to labourers on the International Workers' Day.
"Workers are the axis of construction of the nation, the community, the state and society. Every construction project succeeds only through their blood and sweat," the resolution read.
As per the resolution, "The base rate of minimum wages for the working class in Punjab was last revised in the year 2012. Although the dearness allowance has continued to increase since 2012, there has been no increase in the base rate of minimum wages.
On this sacred occasion of May Day, in this special session of the legislative assembly, this house proposes to revise and increase the minimum wages of labourers and strongly recommends to the government to take a decision regarding the increase of minimum wages for workers, so that the contributions of the workers can be acknowledged." PRK
