Introduction

The recent revision of the NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook has ignited widespread debate by presenting a markedly different portrayal of the Mughal era, particularly focusing on the reigns of Babur and Akbar. This new approach, introduced for the 2025-26 academic year, is significant given the NCERT’s role in shaping historical understanding for millions of Indian students. The textbook, titled Exploring Society: India and Beyond, now describes Babur as a "brutal and ruthless conqueror" and Akbar as a ruler whose reign was a "blend of brutality and tolerance". These changes reflect broader trends in curriculum reform, aiming to foster critical engagement with history and address ongoing debates about how India’s past should be remembered and taught.

Key Topics

Revised Portrayal of Mughal Rulers

The new NCERT textbook marks a clear departure from earlier narratives that often emphasized the grandeur and administrative achievements of the Mughal rulers. Instead, it foregrounds episodes of violence, conquest, and religious intolerance, particularly during the reigns of Babur, Akbar, and Aurangzeb. Babur is described as a "brutal and ruthless conqueror, slaughtering entire populations of cities," while Akbar’s rule is characterized as a "blend of brutality and tolerance". Aurangzeb is depicted as a "temple-destroyer," highlighting his policies of religious persecution.

Significant rulers :

Babur: Portrayed as a Turkic Mongol ruler and military strategist, responsible for the defeat of Ibrahim Lodi at Panipat in 1526, and noted for his use of gunpowder and field artillery.
Akbar: Described as a ruler whose reign combined acts of brutality with policies of religious tolerance, reflecting both his military campaigns and efforts at cultural integration.
Aurangzeb: Characterized as an austere military ruler, infamous for temple destruction and religious intolerance.

Data Insights :

Ruler	Previous NCERT Portrayal	New NCERT Portrayal
Babur	Founder, military innovator	Brutal, ruthless conqueror
Akbar	Tolerant, syncretic, reformer	Blend of brutality and tolerance
Aurangzeb	Strict, expansionist	Austere, temple-destroyer, intolerant

The textbook references Babur’s use of advanced military technology, such as gunpowder and artillery, in the First Battle of Panipat, which led to the end of the Delhi Sultanate and the rise of Mughal power.
Akbar’s policies, including his attempts at religious integration through initiatives like the Din-i Ilahi, are discussed alongside his military campaigns and acts of violence.
Aurangzeb’s reign is cited for its destruction of temples and gurdwaras, emphasizing the period’s religious strife.

Rationale and Context for the Changes

The NCERT has included a prominent disclaimer at the beginning of the textbook, titled "Note on Some Darker Periods in History." This section urges students to approach the past with a dispassionate understanding, emphasizing that "no one should be held responsible today for events of the past". The revisions are part of a broader shift in the curriculum, aligning with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF SE) 2023, which recommends moving certain historical topics from Class 7 to Class 8 for greater depth and context.

Key Takeaways :

Emphasis on Critical Engagement: Encourages students to analyze the historical origins of violence and misrule without assigning contemporary blame.
Expanded Historical Coverage: The new book covers the Delhi Sultanate, Mughals, Marathas, colonial era, and resistance movements, providing a more comprehensive view of Indian history.
Contextualization of Violence: Sensitive events, such as war and religious persecution, are contextualized as part of broader historical processes.

Challenges and Responses

Challenges

Controversy and Debate: The revised portrayal has sparked debate among historians, educators, and the public, with concerns about potential communal polarization and historical oversimplification.
Balancing Nuance and Clarity: There is a risk that emphasizing brutality and intolerance may overshadow the complexities of Mughal rule, including their contributions to art, architecture, and administration.

Solutions

Inclusion of Disclaimers: The NCERT’s disclaimer aims to mitigate potential misuse of historical narratives for present-day agendas.
Encouraging Critical Thinking: By presenting multiple facets of historical figures, the textbook seeks to foster analytical skills and a nuanced understanding among students.

Conclusion

The NCERT’s revised Class 8 Social Science textbook represents a significant shift in how the Mughal era is taught, foregrounding both brutality and tolerance in the reigns of Babur and Akbar. These changes reflect ongoing efforts to encourage critical engagement with India’s complex past, while also acknowledging the challenges of presenting sensitive historical material. As debates continue, it remains crucial for educators and policymakers to ensure that history education promotes understanding, critical thinking, and reconciliation, rather than division. The new approach may set a precedent for future curriculum reforms, shaping how generations of students perceive their country’s history.