Updated Class 7 NCERT Book Drops Mughals And Delhi Sultanate Mentions, Adds Chapters On Indian Dynasties Under NEP

No references to the Mughals and the Delhi Sultanate can be found in the recently published book 'Exploring Society: India and Beyond', a Class 7 NCERT social science textbook, while new chapters focusing on Indian rulers have been introduced, Times of India reported.

While this book covers only the first part of the updated syllabus, the CBSE officials have not confirmed whether the history of the Mughals and Delhi Sultanate would be taught in the second part, anticipated to be released in the following months.

Additionally, the English textbook, 'Poorvi', will feature Indian themes or works by Indian authors in nine out of its 15 stories, poems, and narratives. It includes contributions from renowned figures such as Rabindranath Tagore, APJ Abdul Kalam, and Ruskin Bond.

This signifies a change from the earlier textbook 'Honeycomb', which featured only four Indian authors out of its total 17 contributors.

The recently published textbooks incorporate numerous updates. These include new chapters focusing on Indian dynasties, "sacred geography", government schemes, and various cultural facets. These updates are in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023.

This action follows previous attempts to simplify the curriculum, which includes the removal of sections about the Mughals and the Delhi Sultanate, including comprehensive descriptions of dynasties such as Tughlaq, Khalji, Mamluk, and Lodi. In the revised version, any mentions of these historical eras have been entirely eliminated from the social science textbook.

The social science textbook has been updated with new chapters focusing on ancient Indian dynasties like the Magadha, Maurya, Shunga, and Satavahanas, with a particular emphasis on the "Indian ethos".

A standout new inclusion is a chapter named 'How the Land Becomes Sacred'. This chapter delves into the importance of sacred locations in India and globally, discussing major pilgrimage sites linked to diverse religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, and Sikhism.

The text delves into ideas such as "sacred geography", which outlines the interconnectedness of holy places like the 12 jyotirlingas, the Char Dham Yatra, and the Shakti Pithas. Additionally, it references hallowed mountains, rivers, and forests.

The updated syllabus delves deeper into the 'varna-jati' system, acknowledging its initial contribution to societal stability. However, it underscores the system's progression into rigidity, especially during the British colonial era, which resulted in disparities.