New NCERT Textbook Highlights Mughal History with a Critical Lens

The NCERT's newly introduced Class 8 social sciences textbook offers a critical perspective on Mughal emperors, describing Babur as a 'brutal conqueror' and highlighting the complexities of Akbar and Aurangzeb. Set for the 2025-2026 academic year, the textbook aims to provide an evidence-based account of history while encouraging students to understand the past without assigning blame to the present. This revision is part of a broader educational reform under the National Education Policy, aiming for a balanced approach to historical narratives.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 16, 2025, 10:34 IST

Overview of the New Textbook

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has released a new social sciences textbook for Class 8, which characterizes Mughal emperor Babur as a 'brutal and ruthless conqueror' and notes that Aurangzeb was responsible for the destruction of temples and gurdwaras. The textbook also highlights numerous instances of religious intolerance during this historical period.

Set to be implemented in the academic year 2025-2026, the textbook presents Mughal rulers Babur, Akbar, and Aurangzeb as 'intellectuals' who also 'plundered' the Indian populace.

The NCERT serves as an advisory body to the Union government regarding school curricula.

This chapter covers historical events from the 13th to the 17th century, detailing the rise and decline of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals, alongside the emergence of the Sikh empire.

Historical Context and Educational Approach

The textbook describes the Sultanate era as one characterized by military campaigns that involved plundering towns and attacking temples, while also referencing the brutality of certain rulers.

A preface titled 'Note on History’s Darker Periods' emphasizes the importance of studying these events objectively, without attributing blame to contemporary individuals for past actions.

The note states, '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.'

In previous editions, Babur, Akbar, and Aurangzeb were not discussed in such depth, as their stories were part of the Class 7 history textbook.

These revisions are part of a larger curriculum overhaul initiated under the 2020 National Education Policy and the National Curriculum Framework.

NCERT's Response to Criticism

In response to inquiries regarding the portrayal of temple attacks and the brutality of some Mughal rulers, the NCERT stated that the history section is 'balanced and entirely evidence-based' and does not sanitize historical facts.

Furthermore, a cautionary note has been included to clarify that no one today should be held accountable for historical events.

The focus is on an honest representation of history to extract valuable lessons for the future.

Michel Danino, head of NCERT’s Curricular Area Group for Social Science, remarked that understanding Mughal emperors requires delving into the complexities of their personalities.

He noted, 'Akbar himself admits he was brutal in his younger days.' The aim is not to demonize figures like Akbar or Aurangzeb but to acknowledge their limitations and the cruel actions they committed.