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Source– The post is based on the article “Mughals have not been erased from NCERT textbooks” published in The Indian Express on 15th April 2023.
Syllabus: GS 2 – Issues related to development and management of education
Relevance: Curriculum and syllabus related issues
News- The recent controversy over the National Council of Educational Research and Training reducing the content on Mughal history in the school curriculum has sparked a heated debate in the country.
What are the justifications in support of the NCERT move?
Mughal history is just one glorious 200-year part of just one period of Indian history.
Apart from that, there are 2,000 years remaining. Other great medieval powers like the Marathas and Southern dynasties continue to be underrepresented.
The NCERT removed overlapping material from grades 6 to 12 to reduce the burden on students.
It revolves around the significant policies that redefined the landscape and mindset of the people. Akbar’s policies feature in this theme in the rationalized syllabus as well.
Mughals have been overrepresented in our history books and were an obvious area for right-sizing.
What is the way forward?
In the age of Wikipedia, we need to expose our children to the broad themes and grand sweep of history and create an understanding of their origins. Children should be equipped with the tools and curiosity to read and research further as they grow.
History teaching should be more engaging and informative. It should do justice to the breadth and depth of our heritage.
