RSS’s Ambekar backs NCERT changes on Mughal and Mysore rulers’ titles

The ongoing changes to school textbooks drew fresh attention after RSS leader Sunil Ambekar said that revisions in NCERT history books now avoid describing Mughal emperor Akbar or Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan as “the great.”

He said the updated content represents a positive shift in how students learn about the past.

Ambekar said that although certain terms have been removed, “nobody has been removed” from the textbooks.

He said students should know about past actions and “cruel deeds,” adding that the updates make the narrative more balanced.

Ambekar, who serves as the Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh of the RSS, noted that NCERT has revised textbooks for 11 out of 15 classes and described the effort as a “very good initiative.” New editions for Classes 9, 10, and 12 are expected next year.

He said he had seen “many good changes” in the reworked content and suggested that more updates may be introduced in the coming years.

He pointed out that the revised chapters no longer use phrases such as “Akbar the Great” or “Tipu Sultan the Great,” which he believes helps present historical figures in fuller context.

Acknowledging criticism from some quarters, Ambekar maintained that “this cannot happen, and it should be told,” saying the complete picture is necessary for understanding history.

Ambekar also spoke about India’s ancient knowledge traditions, saying that modern society can benefit from them.

He said that institutions like Nalanda University offered far more diverse courses than people assume.

According to him, the ancient university had 76 skill-focused programs, including farming, urban planning, make-up, secret agent training, political governance, and mechanization.

He said these examples show India’s longstanding strength in practical education and broad-based learning.

Ambekar said India is progressing but must remain mindful of the kind of society it wants to build.

He warned that many civilizations lost their cultural grounding in the pursuit of development, often affecting personal and family life.

He also reflected on the Ram temple movement in Ayodhya, saying that some misunderstood its purpose.

“I would say it was not just about building the temple. It was a campaign to make people understand all this,” he said, urging people to think about their connection with Lord Ram and Indian cultural values.

He praised the country’s youth, calling them talented, informed, and patriotic. For many young people today, he said, “patriotism is a cool thing,” and he expressed confidence in their ability to shape the nation’s future.