The Mughals and the Delhi Sultanate will no longer be taught in schools as all references have been removed Class VII NCERT social science textbook. Instead, fresh chapters on Indian rulers have been added.
The newly released book, ' Exploring Society: India and Beyond', only represents the first part of the revised syllabus and the second part is expected in the coming months, CBSE officials indicated. However, NCERT officials refrained from commenting on whether the removed content would be part of the yet-to-be-released second part, TOI reported.
Further, English textbook, 'Poorvi', will now have nine out of 15 stories, poems and narratives by Indian authors or will have Indian themes. Works of Rabindranath Tagore, APJ Abdul Kalam and Ruskin Bond have been included.
This marks a shift from the previous textbook 'Honeycomb', which had only four Indian writers among its 17 authors.
Revisions include Indian traditions
The new textbooks, released recently, have several changes, including the addition of chapters on Indian dynasties, "sacred geography", government initiatives and other cultural aspects, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023.
These revisions aim at focusing on Indian traditions, philosophies and local knowledge systems in the school curriculum.
The move comes after earlier efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic to streamline the syllabus, where sections on Mughals and the Delhi Sultanate, including detailed accounts of dynasties like those of Tughlaq, Khalji, Mamluk, and Lodi, were cut. In the updated, all references to these historical periods have been completely removed from the social science textbook.
Instead the social science textbook now has fresh chapters on ancient Indian dynasties such as the Magadha, Maurya, Shunga, and Satavahanas, with a strong emphasis on "Indian ethos". A notable addition is a chapter titled 'How the Land Becomes Sacred', which explores the significance of sacred places across India and the world, touching on major pilgrimage sites associated with various religions, including Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism and Sikhism.
It explores concepts like"sacred geography", describing networks of revered locations such as the 12 jyotirlingas, the Char Dham Yatra, and the shakti pithas. It also mentions about sacred mountains, rivers, and forests.
The new curriculum further discusses the 'varna-jati' system, noting its role in providing societal stability initially, but highlighting how it became rigid over time, particularly under British colonial rule, leading to inequalities.
Additionally, the Maha Kumbh Mela, which attracted around 660 million people in Prayagraj this year, is mentioned, though the tragic stampede that resulted in the loss of 30 lives is not referenced. The book also introduces content related to modern-day India, including references to governemnt initiatives like 'Make in India', 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' and the Atal Tunnel.
Another chapter in social science is on the Constitution, which emphasises the importance of national flag, recounting a landmark moment in 2004 when a citizen challenged the restriction on flying the national flag at home. SC's ruling affirmed that flying the tricolour is part of Fundamental Right to Freedom of Expression.
The newly released book, ' Exploring Society: India and Beyond', only represents the first part of the revised syllabus and the second part is expected in the coming months, CBSE officials indicated. However, NCERT officials refrained from commenting on whether the removed content would be part of the yet-to-be-released second part, TOI reported.
Further, English textbook, 'Poorvi', will now have nine out of 15 stories, poems and narratives by Indian authors or will have Indian themes. Works of Rabindranath Tagore, APJ Abdul Kalam and Ruskin Bond have been included.
This marks a shift from the previous textbook 'Honeycomb', which had only four Indian writers among its 17 authors.
Revisions include Indian traditions
The new textbooks, released recently, have several changes, including the addition of chapters on Indian dynasties, "sacred geography", government initiatives and other cultural aspects, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023.
These revisions aim at focusing on Indian traditions, philosophies and local knowledge systems in the school curriculum.
The move comes after earlier efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic to streamline the syllabus, where sections on Mughals and the Delhi Sultanate, including detailed accounts of dynasties like those of Tughlaq, Khalji, Mamluk, and Lodi, were cut. In the updated, all references to these historical periods have been completely removed from the social science textbook.
Instead the social science textbook now has fresh chapters on ancient Indian dynasties such as the Magadha, Maurya, Shunga, and Satavahanas, with a strong emphasis on "Indian ethos". A notable addition is a chapter titled 'How the Land Becomes Sacred', which explores the significance of sacred places across India and the world, touching on major pilgrimage sites associated with various religions, including Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism and Sikhism.
It explores concepts like"sacred geography", describing networks of revered locations such as the 12 jyotirlingas, the Char Dham Yatra, and the shakti pithas. It also mentions about sacred mountains, rivers, and forests.
The new curriculum further discusses the 'varna-jati' system, noting its role in providing societal stability initially, but highlighting how it became rigid over time, particularly under British colonial rule, leading to inequalities.
Additionally, the Maha Kumbh Mela, which attracted around 660 million people in Prayagraj this year, is mentioned, though the tragic stampede that resulted in the loss of 30 lives is not referenced. The book also introduces content related to modern-day India, including references to governemnt initiatives like 'Make in India', 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' and the Atal Tunnel.
Another chapter in social science is on the Constitution, which emphasises the importance of national flag, recounting a landmark moment in 2004 when a citizen challenged the restriction on flying the national flag at home. SC's ruling affirmed that flying the tricolour is part of Fundamental Right to Freedom of Expression.
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