Change is the one constant in life, as the old adage goes, and this timeless truth is now ringing true in our school curriculum. A significant transformation is on the horizon, driven by the recommendations of a high-level committee for social sciences, assembled by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
NCERT proposition is straightforward yet profound: replacing the term ‘India’ with ‘Bharat’ in our textbooks and introducing ‘classical History’ in place of ancient History. But what does this shift mean for the generations to come?
In simple terms, it signifies a shift in our educational narrative. It signifies that our future students will delve into the history that our heroes cherished, not the history that our invaders imposed upon us. The focus is shifting towards ‘Bhartiyata,’ the quintessential essence of our history, rather than the anglicized interpretation that has dominated the scene for decades.
This change, while seemingly subtle, has far-reaching implications. It symbolizes a renewed commitment to our cultural roots and a rekindling of the spirit that shaped our nation’s rich heritage. So, join us on board as we understand the implications of the current proposal, and why the Bharatiya essence of our rich history is set to make the comeback it deserves!
NCERT India has come a really long way
The winds of change are sweeping through the corridors of our education system, raising a chorus of debate and applause alike. To some, it’s historical revisionism; to others, it’s the reclamation of our history. However, the current decision by the NCERT committee is, at its core, about correcting historical wrongs.
For years, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) had been in a deep slumber, seemingly oblivious to the need for change. But no more. A profound transformation is underway, and it’s not an easy journey.
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Much like our economy, the documentation of our history was ensnared in the web of Nehruvian socialism. In the early 1960s, as national integration took center stage, education emerged as a vital tool to foster emotional unity in a diverse nation. The then Minister of Education, M. C. Chagla, envisioned history textbooks that were secular, rational, and devoid of myths. A committee on history education, comprising eminent historians like Tara Chand, Nilakanta Sastri, Mohammad Habib, Bisheshwar Prasad, B. P. Saxena, and P. C. Gupta, was formed to author “model” textbooks.
Romila Thapar’s “Ancient India” for class VI and “Medieval India” for class VII, published in the late 1960s, set the tone. However, these textbooks carried a “Marxist imprint,” emphasizing social and economic aspects while critiquing culture and tradition. The focus shifted away from our rich historical heritage, favoring narratives that celebrated the very invaders who had once plundered our land.
From their inception, these textbooks faced political pressures. In 1969, a Parliamentary Consultative Committee sought to declare the “Aryans” as indigenous to India in the Ancient India textbook. Yet, this demand was met with resistance, both from the editorial board and Romila Thapar herself.
Resistance to change persisted for generations, and even during the initial term of the Modi government, no substantial effort was made to address this historical imbalance. This left many disheartened, especially given the earlier blueprint proposed by former Education Minister Murli Manohar Joshi, which had laid out a path for reform. Worse, there were folks like Prakash Javadekar, who shamelessly thumped their chests on the fact that they changed NOTHING!
“Bharat Ka Rahnewaala Hoon”
The power of textbooks in shaping our perceptions and understanding of history is undeniable. For decades, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) subtly employed propaganda techniques, shaping the narrative to create a perception that India was merely a geographical entity, devoid of any unifying spirit.
Historical figures were quoted out of context, and events were cunningly portrayed to fit certain whims and fancies, all while exploiting cultural differences. This insidious approach gradually eroded the emotional connection people had with their land.
Sanskrit, a language that has been the bedrock of Indian culture for millennia, suffered a similar fate. Every social disharmony was conveniently attributed to it. When students encountered Sanskrit in their textbooks, they developed a preconceived notion that any content written in this language was inherently negative. This left an entire generation doubting the rich ancient scriptures that should have been a source of pride.
However, change is on the horizon. CI Isaac, the current chairman of the NCERT committee, has championed a unanimous recommendation from a seven-member committee. This recommendation has found its place in the final position paper on social sciences, a crucial document that sets the stage for the development of new NCERT textbooks.
One striking aspect the committee highlighted was the imbalance in the curriculum. The prevailing textbooks disproportionately emphasized “Hindu defeats in battles” while conveniently omitting Hindu victories. Isaac raises valid questions: Why don’t our textbooks inform students about the defeat of Muhammed Ghori by Indian tribal people as he fled after plundering India? Why is the Battle of Colachel, a significant historical event, missing from our textbooks? Why is the period of Emergency not covered in detail?
Indeed, Isaac’s observations are astute. The youth of our nation remain largely unaware of the remarkable resistance that Bharat put up against waves of Arabic invaders. For nearly three centuries, India’s defense was so formidable that no invader dared to set foot on its soil. This historical feat is not a minor accomplishment but a testament to the indomitable spirit of the land.
With these changes in the offing, a renaissance of sorts beckons. The day may not be far when Bharatvarsha, as envisioned in the classic “Purab and Paschim” rises to reclaim its rich heritage, as it goes:
“Hai Preet Jahan ki Reet Sada, Main Geet Wahan ke Gaata Hoon,
Bharat ka Rahne Waala Hoon, Bharat ki Baat Sunaata Hoon!”
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