New Delhi: The recently released NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook has stirred controversy for reportedly omitting events from India’s colonial period and key historical figures, including Tipu Sultan, Haidar Ali, and the four Anglo-Mysore Wars of 1700s, which once featured prominently in earlier editions.
The updated textbook, titled ‘Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 1)’, focuses on the narrative of colonialism from the late 1400s, beginning with Vasco da Gama, to the late 1800s. It highlights how British colonialism drained India’s wealth, disrupted traditional life, and mentions events such as the Battle of Plassey (1757) and the 1857 rebellion.
While uprisings such as the Sannyasi-Fakir rebellion, the Kol uprising, and the Santhal rebellion are included, the new edition omits Tipu Sultan, Haidar Ali, and the four Anglo-Mysore Wars. These figures, once highlighted as major opponents of British expansion, are reportedly no longer part of the revised colonial narrative.
Michel Danino, chair of the NCERT textbook development group, asserted that the current Class 8 textbook aims to give an overview rather than exhaustive detail. When asked whether Tipu Sultan or the Anglo-Mysore Wars might appear in Part 2 of the textbook, Danino responded, “Probably not,” adding that those chapters are still in development.
The textbook further introduces a section on the plunder of India’s cultural wealth, including statues, manuscripts, jewels, and artefacts, much of which ended up in European museums and private collections. This appropriation is referred to as “massive theft” carried out across colonised nations.
It also challenges the narrative that British infrastructure such as railways and telegraphs were gifts to India, stating these projects were mostly funded by Indian taxpayers and primarily served British strategic and commercial interests.
Part 1 of the new textbook has been released for the current academic session, with Part 2 expected later this year.
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Bengaluru: Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka launched a scathing attack on MLC Dr. Yathindra, demanding that he retract his controversial statement comparing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to the late Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. Ashoka urged Yathindra to apologize to the people of Karnataka if he had even a shred of conscience and any respect for the Mysuru royal lineage.
In a strongly worded social media post on Sunday, Ashoka stated, “Comparing Siddaramaiah to Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar is nothing short of absurd. Where is Nalwadi, who was bestowed the title of ‘Rajarshi’ by Mahatma Gandhi himself, and where is Siddaramaiah, who has stooped to being a puppet in the hands of fake Gandhis for the sake of power?”
He continued his critique by contrasting the enduring legacy of Nalwadi, remembered fondly by Kannadigas for his people-centric development, with what he termed as Siddaramaiah’s failure to manage Karnataka’s economy, burdening every household with debt.
Ashoka highlighted several stark differences, while Nalwadi built Mysore University over a century ago, Siddaramaiah is shutting down nine universities due to lack of funds. Nalwadi famously sold his family’s gold to build the KRS dam, whereas Siddaramaiah is accused of grabbing 14 sites meant for the public. Nalwadi established Bhadravati Iron & Steel Plant, Sandalwood Soap Factory, and Mysore Paper Mills. In contrast, Ashoka claimed Siddaramaiah's governance drove away industries, investors, and entrepreneurs. Nalwadi pioneered reservations for the backward classes long before it became mainstream. Siddaramaiah, Ashoka alleged, is reducing social justice to a gimmick by sticking labels on doors in the name of surveys.
While acknowledging Yathindra’s emotional attachment to his father, Ashoka emphasized that comparing Siddaramaiah to a visionary like Nalwadi was “laughable, baseless, and a gross insult” to the late king.
In his concluding remarks, Ashoka slammed the government for ignoring farmers’ needs despite an early monsoon. He accused the administration of being caught up in internal power struggles and negligence, forcing farmers into despair. “This government will not be spared from the curse of the farmers,” he warned.