NCERT: From Shivaji to Babar-Akbar and Aurangzeb, know what all has changed in the 8th class history book

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has started publishing new edited books along with changes in the syllabus under the National Education Policy, 2020. Now many information is also coming out about the changes in the content related to the new books. The recent change has been seen in the social science book of class VIII, in which many old things related to the history of Delhi Sultanate to the Mughals have been removed, while some new facts have been added. Apart from this, many important information has also been added regarding the history of British rule.

In such a situation, it is important to know what changes has NCERT made in the syllabus of class VIII? What is the reason behind these changes? Which chapters have been removed from the book and which information has been reduced? Let’s know…

What changes have been made regarding different periods?

1. History related to Delhi Sultanate

The new NCERT book states that Alauddin Khilji’s general Malik Kafur targeted many important centers of Hindus, such as Srirangam, Madurai, Chidambaram and possibly Rameswaram as well. The period of Delhi Sultanate has been depicted as a period of attacks on Buddhist, Jain and Hindu temples and demolition of sacred idols. Such destruction was not only for looting but also to end idol worship. While the old 7th class book described Jaziya tax as a tax paid by non-Muslims, now in the 8th class book Jaziya has been described as a tax to protect security and military service for non-Muslims. The book states that Jaziya tax was a tax that divided people, which used to humiliate them publicly. Through this, pressure was put on taxpayers to adopt Islam so that they could get exemption from the tax.

2. History related to the Mughal Empire

Babur: The old Class VII book on Babur, the founder of the Mughal Era, said that he was forced to give up his ancestral rule. He later captured Kabul and then Delhi and Agra. Now, the Class VIII book, citing Babur’s biography, claims that he was a culturally and intellectually curious person. But he was also cruel and ruthless who massacred the entire population of cities. The book says that Babur enslaved women and children along with the massacre, and took pride in erecting ‘towers of skulls’ of the slain from the looted cities.

Akbar: The new book describes Akbar’s reign as a combination of cruelty and tolerance. It says that when Akbar attacked the Rajput fort of Chittorgarh and ordered the massacre of about 30,000 civilians”, he sent a victory message – “We have succeeded in capturing many forts and towns of the infidels and established Islam there.” With the power of our bloodthirsty sword, we have erased the traces of infidels from their minds and demolished temples in those places and all over Hindustan.” The NCERT book also states that later Akbar, despite his tolerance towards different religions, rarely gave non-Muslims a place in the higher posts of administration.

NCERT: Akbar ‘ruthless but tolerant’, Aurangzeb ‘strict religious ruler’; New view of Mughal history in new book

Aurangzeb: About Aurangzeb, the book states that some scholars believe that the intentions behind his actions were mainly political. For example, his assistance and protection given to temples has been mentioned. However, Aurangzeb’s decrees also spoke of his religious intentions. The book states that he ordered the rulers of the province to demolish schools and temples. He also demolished Sikh Gurudwaras along with Banaras, Mathura, Somnath and Jain temples.

NCERT has given a detailed account of the administrative structure of this period Information has also been given about it. It has been said that economic activities were at a high level during the period of Delhi Sultanate and Mughals. At the same time, the conditions of the cities were also changing. Indian society played an important role in rebuilding cities, temples and economy. However, from the 17th century the country started coming under economic pressure.

Jahangir and Shahjahan: Jahangir and Shahjahan, who came to power after Akbar, have been described as patrons of art and architecture in the book. Shahjahan was especially remembered for the construction of the Taj Mahal, but it was also told that in the battle of succession after Shahjahan’s illness, Aurangzeb killed his brother Dara Shikoh and imprisoned his father.

3. Maratha Empire

After the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal period, a chapter has also been given on the Maratha Empire in the book. In this, Shivaji has been described as a tremendous diplomat and a true visionary. The book says that the Marathas made an excellent contribution to India’s cultural development journey. The book says that Shivaji was a devoted Hindu, who He respected all religions. He not only rebuilt the demolished temples but also promoted his religion. On the other hand, it was said in the old book that Shivaji established a strong Maratha empire and laid the foundation of an efficient administrative system.

A guideline has been included in the book

The social science book describes the period from the Delhi Sultanate to the beginning of the British Empire. This period has been described as the dark chapter of history in the book, which was full of war, oppression, religious fanaticism and bloodshed. However, a note has also been included in the book, which says that it is important to read the dark chapter of history without any prejudice, that too without blaming anyone in today’s time, so that the mistakes of history can be corrected and a future can be imagined in which such incidents will not happen.