Reimagining the past: Class 7 NCERT books focus on Indian traditions

Class 7 NCERT textbooks have been significantly revised with all references to the Mughals and Delhi Sultanate removed.

Students will now study Indian dynasties, "sacred geography," the Maha Kumbh, and government initiatives like Make in India and Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao instead.

The updated textbooks, released this week, align with the new National Education Policy (NEP) and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023.

These reforms focus on embedding Indian traditions, knowledge systems, philosophies, and local contexts more deeply into school education.

NCERT officials, when approached, clarified that what has been released is only the first part of the book.

A second part is expected in the coming months, though they declined to say whether the dropped historical content will be reinstated.

Previously, during the syllabus rationalisation exercise undertaken amid the COVID-19 pandemic (2022–23), NCERT had reduced content on the Mughals and Delhi Sultanate.

That included trimming detailed sections on dynasties such as the Tughlaqs, Khaljis, Mamluks, and Lodis, along with a two-page table outlining the Mughal emperors' achievements.

Now, in the newly designed textbook, all references to these rulers have been completely eliminated.

The new Social Science textbook, titled "Exploring Society: India and Beyond," introduces fresh chapters on ancient Indian dynasties like the Magadha, Mauryas, Shungas, and Satavahanas, with an emphasis on presenting an "Indian ethos."

A new chapter called "How the Land Becomes Sacred" delves into sacred places and pilgrimages across India and other parts of the world for faiths such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism.

It explores the concept of "sacred geography" through networks of revered sites like the 12 jyotirlingas, the char dham yatra, and the "Shakti pithas," as well as sacred rivers, mountains, and forests.

The textbook features a quote from Jawaharlal Nehru, who described India as "a land of pilgrimages from the icy peaks of Badrinath and Amarnath to the southern tip at Kanyakumari."

Another change is in the discussion of the varna-jati system. While it is described as initially contributing to social stability, the text states it later became rigid, particularly during British rule, creating deep social inequalities.

The recent Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj also finds space in the curriculum. The book highlights the participation of approximately 660 million people but omits mentioning the stampede that resulted in the deaths of 30 pilgrims and injuries to many others.

Additionally, the textbook incorporates references to contemporary government initiatives such as Make in India, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and the Atal Tunnel.

A chapter on the Constitution of India brings attention to a time when citizens were not permitted to fly the national flag at home.

It narrates how this changed in 2004, when a citizen challenged the restriction in court. The Supreme Court ruled in favor, declaring that "flying the flag is part of the Fundamental Right to Freedom of Expression," and thus allowing citizens to display the tricolour, provided it is treated with due respect.

In the English textbook "Poorvi," nine out of 15 stories, poems, and narratives are either authored by Indian writers or feature Indian characters and settings.

Authors like Rabindranath Tagore, APJ Abdul Kalam, and Ruskin Bond are among those included. By contrast, the earlier English textbook "Honeycomb" contained 17 pieces, with only four by Indian writers.

The extensive revamp of NCERT textbooks has sparked criticism from opposition parties, who have accused the changes of being part of a broader attempt at "saffronisation."