NCERT’s new Class 8 Social Science textbook highlights Mughal-era brutality and religious intolerance
1. A New Lens on Medieval India: What the NCERT Textbook Reveals
Released in July 2025, the new NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook titled “Exploring Society: India and Beyond” marks a significant shift in how students learn about the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire. The chapter “Reshaping India’s Political Map” covers Indian history from the 13th to 17th centuries, spotlighting rulers like Babur, Akbar, and Aurangzeb with unprecedented candour.
Table of Contents
Key revelations:
- Babur is described as a “brutal and ruthless conqueror” who slaughtered entire city populations, enslaved women and children, and erected “towers of skulls”
- Akbar’s reign is portrayed as a “blend of brutality and tolerance,” citing the massacre of 30000 civilians at Chittorgarh
- Aurangzeb is noted for destroying temples and gurdwaras, with his farmans revealing personal religious motives
- The Delhi Sultanate era is marked by political instability, temple desecration, and iconoclasm
This is the first time such explicit references to violence and intolerance have appeared in NCERT textbooks, which previously offered more sanitized versions of history.
2. The No-Blame Disclaimer: Teaching History Without Hatred
To balance the stark content, NCERT includes a “Note on Some Darker Periods in History”, urging students to study past atrocities dispassionately and without assigning blame to present-day communities.
Highlights from the disclaimer:
- “No one should be held responsible today for events of the past”
- “Understanding the historical origin of cruel violence… is the best way to heal the past”
- Encourages critical thinking over emotional judgment
This approach aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework 2023, which advocate for evidence-based, inclusive education.
While some hail this as a mature and honest pedagogy, others worry it may trigger communal sensitivities or be misused for political narratives.
3. Political & Public Reactions: Applause, Alarm, and Academic Debate
The textbook’s release has sparked intense debate across political and academic circles.
Supporters argue:
- It’s time to stop whitewashing history
- Students deserve a balanced view of India’s past
- The disclaimer promotes responsible learning
Critics warn:
- The emphasis on brutality could fuel communal tensions
- Selective portrayal may overshadow cultural achievements
- Young students may struggle to process violent content
Some educators question the age-appropriateness of such material, while others praise the shift toward historical transparency. Political parties have largely stayed silent, though civil society groups have called for contextual teaching aids to help students navigate complex narratives.
4. Why This Matters: Rewriting History or Reclaiming It?
This textbook isn’t just an academic update—it’s a cultural moment. It reflects India’s evolving relationship with its past and raises critical questions:
- Should history be taught with emotional neutrality?
- Can we confront historical violence without perpetuating division?
- Is this a step toward truthful education, or a political recalibration?
The book also revises the portrayal of jiziya, describing it as a humiliating tax that pressured non-Muslims to convert. Earlier editions had framed it as a routine levy.
Meanwhile, the textbook acknowledges economic resilience, noting how Indian society rebuilt cities and temples after periods of destruction. It also introduces students to the Maratha resistance, portraying Shivaji as a “master strategist and visionary” who rebuilt desecrated temples.
Final Thoughts
NCERT’s new Class 8 textbook is a bold experiment in historical honesty. By spotlighting Mughal-era brutality while cautioning against modern blame, it attempts to walk a fine line between truth and tolerance.
Whether this approach fosters critical thinking or stirs controversy, one thing is clear: India’s classrooms are no longer afraid to confront the darker chapters of its past.
As students turn the pages of “Exploring Society: India and Beyond,” they’re not just learning history, they’re learning how to think about history.
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