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Note on Misleading and Factual Misrepresentation of the Current NCERT Textbooks: a Response to the Public Notice Issued by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat

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Note on Misleading and Factual Misrepresentation of the Current NCERT Textbooks: a Response to the Public Notice Issued by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat INDIAN HISTORY CONGRESS (Established, 1935) Note on Misleading and Factual Misrepresentation of the Current NCERT Textbooks: A Response to the Public Notice Issued by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat In a recent communication the Rajya Sabha Secretariat has called for ‘Reforms in the contents and designs of Text Books with focus on: a. removing references to un-historical facts and distortions about our national heroes from the text books b. ensuring equal or proportionate references to all periods of Indian history c. highlighting the role of great historic women heroes, including Gargi, Maitreyi, or rulers like Rani of Jhansi, Rani Channamma, Chand Bibi, Zhalkari Bai etc. While History itself is a discipline having its own internal dynamic and gets enriched by continuous research and rigorous debate and discussions within the scholarly domain, the Indian History Congress has examined the claims in the aforementioned notice in the light of the contents of the existing NCERT textbooks. A completely factual examination of the textbooks, with details presented in tabular form below, based on the points mentioned above, however, suggests that the call for the reform of textbooks is not based on any academic, pedagogic or factual detail. The table below presents the references to primary sources, proportionate representations to all periods of history, national heroes, and historical female figures in the NCERT textbooks of Classes VI to XII currently in use in the country. Textbook Primary Source References* References to Proportionate National Heroes** Great Historic Representation (Period/ Women Figures Region/ Language/ Traditions) Class VI Pp. 4-6, 13, 18, 19, 26, 27, 29, P. 15 – Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, P. 43 - Women (Ancient) 34-38, 40, 45, 48, 56, 58, 66, 68, Neolithic composers of the 71, 78, 79, 81, 86, 87, 90- 93, Rigveda; 95- 96, 100, 103, 105- 108, 112, P. 18 – Burzahom 118, 119, 123, 124, 125, 126, P. 68 - Gargi, 128, 130, P. 20 - Mehrgarh Jabali; 1 INDIAN HISTORY CONGRESS (Established, 1935) Pp. 24 - 32 – Harappa, P. 101 – Gautami Mohenjodaro, Lothal, Balashri; Kalibangan, Dholavira; P. 114 - Kumara P. 35 – Vedas: Rigveda, Devi. Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda P. 39 – jana, vish, Aryas, Dasas/ Dasyus P. 41 – Brahmagiri, Inamgaon Pp. 46, 54 - Ashvamedha; Pp. 53-54 – Magadha, Vajji P. 67 - Six Schools of Indian Philosophy - Vaishesika, Nyaya, Samkhya, Yoga, Purva Mimansa and Vedanta or Uttara Mimansa; P. 67 - Konada, Gotama, Kapila, Patanjali, Jaimini, Vyasa; P. 72 – The system of ashramas; P. 86 - Mauryas, Indo-Greeks, Shakas, Kushanas, Guptas, Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas; P. 100 – Sangam Literature; Pp. 101-102 – Silk Trade; P. 114 - Banabhatta P. 115 - Pallavas, Chalukya; 2 INDIAN HISTORY CONGRESS (Established, 1935) P. 118 – Kalidasa P. 119 – Fa Xian Pp. 127-128 - Silappadikaram, Manimekhalai, Meghadutam; P. 131 – Aryabhata, Ayurveda, Sushruta, Charaka; Class VII Pp. 5-7 (Figs. 1- 3), 10, 17, 19, Pp. 7, 8, 124 - Rajputana; P. 33 - Didda, (Medieval) 20, 23-25 (Figs.1-5), 27, 32, 36, Rudrama Devi, 32-37 (Figs. 1-5), 38, 40, 45-49, Raziya Sultan; 52, 53, 54, 55, 45-55(Figs. 1-9) P. 17 – Chalukyas, 60, 61-68, 70-72, 60-72 (Figs. Rashtrakutas, Kadamba, P. 50 - 1-17), 77, 81, 82, 83, 85, 77-88 Gurjara-Pratihara; Kachhwaha (Figs. 1-9), 91, 94-96, 98, 100, princess; 99-100 (Figs. 1-7), 105, 106, P. 20 - Kalhana; 108-113, 115, 116, 117, 118, P. 54 - Nur 119, 105-119 (Figs. 1-12), 123, P. 21 - Prithviraj Chauhan; Jahan; 124, 126-130, 133-135, 141-151 (Figs. 1-8) P. 21, 30 – Chahamanas, P. 98 - Rani Chauhans; Durgawati; Pp. 22-27 – Cholas; Pp. 114-115 – Mirabai. P. 26 - Brahmadeya settlement; Chapter 3: Delhi Sultans Pp. 30, 31 – Tomaras, Chauhans; Pp. 30, 32 – Delhi Sultanate/ Sultans Pp. 32-33 – tawarikh P. 40 - Ibn Battuta 3 INDIAN HISTORY CONGRESS (Established, 1935) Chapter 4: Mughal Empire P. 47 – Mewar, Marwar P. 53 – Akbar Nama, Ain-i- Akbari P. 55 – sulh-i-kul Pp. 60-72 – Architecture of different traditions; P. 62 - Khajuraho, Rajarajeshvar, Tanjavur Temples; P. 65 - Golden Temple; Pp. 71- 72 - Vrindavan; P. 76 - Temple Towns and Pilgrimage Centres; Pp. 77-78 - Chola bronzes, Krishna Kaliya Daman; P. 81 – Panchalas, Visshwakarmas, Saliyar, Kaikkolars; P. 82 - Hampi, Masulipattam; Pp. 91 – 101 – Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities; P. 95 - Gonds, Ahoms; P. 105 - Bhakti, Nayanars, Alvars; P. 107 – Shankaracharya, 4 INDIAN HISTORY CONGRESS (Established, 1935) Ramanujan, Virasaivism; P. 110 - Nathpanthis, Siddhas, Yogi, Sufism; P. 111 - Rishi, Order- Kashmir; P. 113 - Kabir, Surdas; P. 113-114, 131 – Chaitanyadeva, Tulsidas; P. 114 - Shankardeva, Surdas, Ravidas; P. 117 - Baba Guru Nanak; P. 122 - Development of Malayalam; P. 123 – Lilatilakam, Manipravalam, Jagannatha Cult; P. 126 - Kathak, Rasa Lila; P. 129 - Basohli; P. 131 – Mangalakavyas; P. 132 – Maynamati and Gopichandra, Dharma Thakur; Pp. 147-152 - Regional Powers - Jats, Marathas, Sikhs; 5 INDIAN HISTORY CONGRESS (Established, 1935) Class VIII Pp. 5, 7, 1-7 (Figs. 1-7), 13, 14, Pp. 35-36 - Indigo Rebellion; P.. 12 – Sirajuddaulah; P. 18, Rani (Modern) 15, 16, 22, 9-23 (Figs. 1-16), 28, Channamma; (PART I & 35, 36, 26-37 (Figs. 1-14), 42, Pp. 40-41-, 49 - Tribal groups; Pp. 16, 17, 74 - Tipu II) 45, 39-47 (Figs.1-10), 54, 55, Sultan; Pp. 51, 57, 59 - 51-64 (Figs.1-17), 65-77 Pp. 56 - 61 - Revolt of 1857; Rani (Figs.1-17), 81,85, 86, 90, 79-92 P. 18 – Mahadji Lakshmibai; (Figs. 1-15), 98, 99, 104, 95-105 Pp. 62 - 63 - Khurda Uprising; Sindhia, Nana Phadnis; (Figs. 1-12), 111, 113, 117, 118, P. 57 - Begum 119, 108-121 (Figs.1-20), 143, Pp. 85-86 - Weaver P. 19 - Maharaja Ranjit Hazrat Mahal; 144, 149, 151, 152, 154, 141- communities; Singh, Veer Surendra 158 (Figs.1-22), 163, 169, 160- Sai; Pp. 58, 59 - 172 (Figs. 1-12); Pp. 88-90 - Iron Smelting Rani Avantibai communities; Pp. 39, 47-49 – Birsa Lodhi; Munda; P. 115 - Madigas, Mahar; P. 86 - widowed Pp. 51, 57, 58 - Nana spinner writer; Pp. 109-126 - Indian National Saheb; Movement; P. 112 - Begum P. 56 - Mangal of Bhopal, P. 132 - Debates of Constituent Pandey; Begum Rokeya Assembly - Languages; Sakhawat Pp. 58, 59 - Tantia Hossain, Tope; Rashsundari Debi; P. 58 – Vir Kunwar Singh, Bakht Khan; P. 113 – Pandita Ramabai, P. 91 - Jamshetji Tata; Tarabai Shinde; P. 102 – Aurobindo P. 121 - Ghosh; Ambabai, SarojiniNaidu. Pp. 103-105 - Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore; Pp. 109-110 - Raja Ram Mohan Roy; P. 111 – Dayanand Saraswati, Veerasalingam Pantulu; Pp. 11-112- Ishwarchandra 6 INDIAN HISTORY CONGRESS (Established, 1935) Vidyasagar; P. 113, 155 - Subhas Chandra Bose; Pp. 115, 118, 164 - B. R. Ambedkar; P. 116 - Shri Narayana Guru, Ghasidas, Haridas Thakur; P. 117 – Jyotirao Phule; P. 119 - Periyar; P. 120 - Keshub, Chunder Sen, Henry Louis Vivian Derozio, Swami Vivekananda; P. 121 - Sayyid Ahmed Khan; P. 143 – Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozeshah Mehta, Badruddin Tyabji, W.C. Bonnerji, Surendranath Banerji, Romesh Chandra Dutt, S. Subramania Iyer; P. 144 - Bipin Chandra Pal, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai; Pp. 148 - Rajendra Prasad; P. 148, 156, 165 - Vallabhbhai Patel; P. 149 - Mohammad 7 INDIAN HISTORY CONGRESS (Established, 1935) Ali, Shaukat Ali, Motilal Nehru, C.R. Das, C. Rajagopalachari and Asaf Ali; Pp. 151-152 - Bhagat Singh; P. 152 - Chandra Shekhar Azad, Sukhdev, Rajguru, B. K. Dutt; P. 154 – Veer Lakhan Nayak; P. 156 - Maulana Azad; P. 157 - Jawaharlal Nehru, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan; P. 163 - H. J. Khandekar; P. 164 - T. T. Krishnamachari; P. 165 – Potti Sriramulu; P. 170 - Krishna Menon. Class IX Pp. 88, 91, 92, 98, 101, 104, Chapter - ‘Forest, Society & P. 90 – Alluri Sitarama (Modern) 105, Colonialism’ Raju P. 89 - Korava, Karacha, Yerukula, Madras Presidency; P. 90 - Rebellion in the forest - Santhals, Mundas of Chota Nagpur, Gonds of Bastar, Oraons; 8 INDIAN HISTORY CONGRESS (Established, 1935) P. 98 – Gujjar Bakarwals of J&K; P. 99 - Gaddi shepherds of Himachal Pradesh, Bhotias, Sherpas, Kinnauri; P. 101 - Gollas, Kurubas, Kurumas, Banjaras, Raikas; P. 103 – Maldhari. Class X Pp. 55, 59, 63, 69, 72, 172, 175 Ch. 1, Unit 2: Indian National Pp. 54-57, 58-61 - Pp. 172 - (Modern) Movement; Mahatma Gandhi; Rashsundari P. 59 - Baba Ram Debi, Section 3, Unit 8: Novel, Chandra; Kailashbashini Society and History: India and Debi , Tarabai the World of Print; P. 60 – Alluri Sitaram Shinde, Pandita Raju; Ramabai, Begum P. 167 - Texts of different Rokeya religious traditions, texts of P. 56 -Muhammad Ali, Shakhawat vernacular languages, Shaukat Ali; Hossain. P. 174 - Books written by P. 62 - C.R. Das, Ambedkar, Jyotiba Phule, Motilal Nehru; Periyar, Kashibaba P. 64 - Abdul Ghaffar Khan; P. 65 - Bhagat Singh, Batukeshwar Dutta, Jatin Das, Ajoy Ghosh; P. 68 - B.R. Ambedkar; P. 70 - B.G. Tilak, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Abanindranath Tagore; P. 72 – Natesa Sastri Class XII Ancient Ancient Modern Ancient (Ancient, Pp. 4, 1-26, (Figs. 1.1 - 1.30), 7, Pp. 1-26 – Harappan P. 272 - Sidhu Manjhi; P. 40-41 - 9 INDIAN HISTORY CONGRESS (Established, 1935) Medieval, 18, 21, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, Civilisation; Prabhavati Modern) 40, 41, 47, 48, Pgs. 28-49, Figs. P. 292- Kunwar Singh, Gupta; 2.1-2.13, 56-58, 59, 60, 61, 62, P. 29 - Mahajanapadas; Birjis Qadr; 64-65, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 76, Pp. 82-83 - Shah 53-76 (Figs. 3.1-3.10), 84-85, Pp. 28-29 - Religious P. 292 – Shah Mal; Jehan Begum 87-88, 91, 93, 94, 96. Traditions, Vedic, Buddhism, (Sanchi in the Jainism; P. 292 -293 Nana 19th Century); Medieval Sahib; Pp. 116, 82-109 (Figs. 4.1 - P. 32 - Mauryas; Medieval 4.30), 123, 126, 127, 129, 131, P. 293 – Maulavi P. 144 - Andal, 132, 133, 115-136 (Figs. 5.1a - P. 35 - Chiefs and Kings in the Ahmadullah Shah; Karaikkal 5.13), 144, 145, 147, 150, 157, South: Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas; Ammaiyar; 158, 160, 161, 164, 140-168 P.
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