NCERT: New Class 8 History — Mughals Committed Atrocities, But No One Held Responsible

#News Bureau July 16,2025

NCERT’s New Class 8 Book Reframes History: Focus on Mughal Atrocities, but No One to Blame Today

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has released a new Class 8 Social Science textbook titled “Exploring Society: India and Beyond.” This revised edition presents the history of the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal rulers from a new perspective, placing strong emphasis on the alleged atrocities committed by emperors such as Babur, Akbar, and Aurangzeb. However, the book also makes it clear that no one today should be held responsible for the events of the past.

This is not the first instance of historical revision. NCERT has been engaged in reworking school history content for the past four years.

In the book, Babur is described as a “cruel and ruthless conqueror” who carried out mass killings of city populations and enslaved women and children. Akbar’s reign is portrayed as a “blend of cruelty and tolerance,” citing the massacre of 30,000 civilians and the enslavement of women and children during the capture of Chittorgarh Fort. Aurangzeb is noted for destroying temples and gurdwaras.

The chapter titled “Reshaping India’s Political Map” covers Indian history from the 13th to 17th century, including the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughal Empire, the rise of the Vijayanagar Kingdom, and the emergence of the Sikhs.

According to The Indian Express, NCERT has defended this narrative by stating that it aims to present historical events in a balanced and evidence-based manner. The book includes a section called “Note on Some Darker Periods in History” to justify the inclusion of such events. Additionally, a cautionary note is placed in one of the chapters, stating: “No one should be held accountable today for what happened in the past.”

This approach aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023, which emphasize Indian traditions and indigenous knowledge systems.

NCERT’s New Class 8 Textbook Highlights Mughal Atrocities, Sparks Concerns Over Bias and Historical Integrity

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has introduced a new Class 8 Social Science textbook titled “Exploring Society: India and Beyond,” offering a revised narrative of the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal rule. The book places strong emphasis on the alleged atrocities committed by rulers such as Babur, Akbar, and Aurangzeb, but also notes that no one today should be held accountable for events of the past.

In this edition, the controversial jizya tax—imposed by some sultans on non-Muslims—is portrayed as a form of public humiliation and a tool to encourage religious conversion. This is a shift from the earlier Class 7 textbook, where jizya was described more neutrally as a tax levied on non-Muslims. The new framing casts a significantly more critical light on the intent behind such taxation.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Michael Danino, head of NCERT’s curriculum group for Social Science, defended the changes: “We’re not demonizing the Mughals. We’re trying to show their complexities. History shouldn’t be whitewashed—we must show their limitations and the cruelties they committed.”

The textbook also highlights resistance against the Mughals, mentioning groups like the Jats, Bhils, Gonds, Santhals, Koch tribes, as well as figures like Rani Durgavati and the Ahoms. Compared to the older Class 7 edition, the new version devotes far more attention to temple destruction and the brutality of rulers.

This curriculum is designed for the 2025–26 academic year, and it shifts the study of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal era from Class 7 to Class 8.

Controversy Over Historical Revisionism and Objectivity

The decision to emphasize Mughal “cruelty” in NCERT’s new textbook has sparked debate. Presenting history with fairness is a complex task, as it requires balancing multiple perspectives and sources. While NCERT claims the goal is to shed light on “darker periods of history,” critics argue that highlighting only the negative aspects of the Mughal era creates a skewed and potentially misleading narrative.

The Mughal Empire also contributed significantly to India’s culture, art, architecture, and administration—from Akbar’s policy of religious tolerance to Shah Jahan’s architectural marvels. Today, India’s Prime Minister still hoists the national flag from the Red Fort—a Mughal monument—and the President resides in the Rashtrapati Bhavan, built during the colonial era. A one-sided portrayal focusing only on brutality risks distorting history and undermines the principle of objectivity.

The Risk of Depriving Children of India’s True Historical Richness

This revised lens could deprive students of an accurate understanding of India’s rich and complex historical legacy. Indian history is not merely a record of conquests and cruelty—it’s a confluence of diverse cultures, religions, and social reform movements. For instance, the Bhakti and Sufi movements during the Mughal era fostered social harmony, while administrative reforms laid foundations for modern governance.

If textbooks focus solely on negative narratives, children miss the opportunity to appreciate this cultural richness and historical balance. It not only narrows their understanding but also limits their grasp of India’s pluralistic traditions

The Danger of Misinformation and Its Impact on Young Minds

Selective rewriting of history poses a serious risk of misinformation. When textbooks present history through a singular ideological lens, it distorts facts and can foster social polarization. Young students, who rely heavily on these textbooks in their formative years, may accept these biased versions as absolute truth. This can impair their critical thinking and depth of historical understanding.

Moreover, portraying rulers like the Mughals solely as “cruel” may contribute to social disharmony by unfairly targeting a specific community. This approach could lead to misunderstandings and foster division in a society that has long celebrated coexistence.

Call for a Balanced and Inclusive Approach

NCERT must strive to present history in a fact-based, balanced, and inclusive manner. A well-rounded education should expose children to both the achievements and failings of historical figures, helping them build an informed and nuanced understanding of the past.

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