NCERT Books Revamps Class 7 Textbooks: Mughals Out, Maha Kumbh In – Welcome move in India’s Educational Journey
New Delhi, April 28, 2025
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has rolled out a sweeping revision of its Class 7 NCERT Books, igniting fresh debates and hope across India’s academic and political circles. In a move aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023, references to the Mughals and the Delhi Sultanate have been removed. In their place, the curriculum now spotlights ancient Indian dynasties, the sacred geography of India, the Maha Kumbh Mela, and contemporary flagship government initiatives.
NCERT Book- A Shift Toward “Indian Ethos”
The newly updated social science textbook, Exploring Society: India and Beyond, presents a distinct shift toward highlighting India’s ancient heritage. Students will now explore dynasties such as the Magadha, Mauryas, Shungas, and Satavahanas, with the content framed around what the NCERT Book describes as fostering a deep sense of “Indian ethos.”
A notable new chapter, How the Land Becomes Sacred, introduces students to India’s sacred geography, mapping revered pilgrimage sites across major religions—Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. From the 12 Jyotirlingas to the Char Dham Yatra and the Shakti Peethas, the chapter also pays homage to natural wonders like river confluences and sacred mountains. A quote from Jawaharlal Nehru, calling India a “land of pilgrimages,” poignantly ties history with cultural continuity.
Adding contemporary relevance, the Maha Kumbh Mela—set to be held in Prayagraj in early 2025—features prominently, with the textbook noting the participation of over 660 million people in the previous edition of this massive spiritual congregation (the world’s largest congregation).
Modern India at the Forefront
Reflecting a focus on India’s socio-economic achievements, the NCERT Books now incorporate narratives around government initiatives such as Make in India, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, and infrastructure marvels like the Atal Tunnel.
A chapter dedicated to the Constitution of India highlights a landmark 2004 Supreme Court ruling that elevated the right to fly the national flag as a Fundamental Right under Freedom of Expression, stating, “We can now fly the tricolour with pride, keeping in mind that it should never be dishonoured.”
The NCERT Book – English textbook, Poorvi, also reflects a decisive Indian tilt. Nine of the fifteen included stories, poems, and essays are penned by Indian authors like Rabindranath Tagore, APJ Abdul Kalam, and Ruskin Bond, compared to the earlier Honeycomb textbook, which had only four Indian pieces out of seventeen.
The End of an Era: Mughals and Delhi Sultanate Omitted
The complete removal of content related to the Mughals and the Delhi Sultanate marks a significant NCERT Book curriculum shift. Earlier editions had detailed chapters on the Khaljis, Tughlaqs, Lodis, and a comprehensive two-page table outlining Mughal emperors’ achievements. Portions of this material were pruned during the COVID-19 syllabus rationalisation (2022–23), but the current update finalises their exclusion.
NCERT officials noted that the NCERT Books released is only the first part of the new syllabus, with a second part expected soon. However, they have remained tight-lipped on whether medieval history might find space again, leaving students and educators in suspense.
Controversy and Criticism
Unsurprisingly, the changes have sparked sharp debate. The NCERT Director defended the overhaul, reiterating that exposing young students to contentious historical events, such as communal riots, could risk creating “negative citizens.”
Across social media, especially on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), reactions remain polarised. Many users, like @Indianinfoguide, lauded the inclusion of indigenous cultural concepts like “sacred geography” and contemporary policy initiatives. Few voiced concern over the apparent erasure of medieval Islamic contributions to India’s diverse history.
The Broader Vision
The NCERT Books curriculum changes reflect a deeper vision outlined in NEP 2020 and NCFSE 2023—to re-root Indian education in indigenous traditions, philosophies, and knowledge systems. Interestingly, while the textbooks introduce the ancient varna-jati social framework, they also contextualise its later rigidification under British colonial rule, offering a nuanced historical perspective.
What Lies Ahead?
While the new NCERT Books provide students with a refreshed view of Indian history and culture, the absence of medieval narratives leaves a negligible or small gap. The NCERT’s promise of a forthcoming second volume hints at more changes but offers little clarity on how India’s medieval past will be addressed.
“It is far more enriching to study the true history of India—one that inspires values of wisdom, resilience, and humanity—rather than remain fixated on the blood-stained, war-driven, and jihad-influenced era of the Mughal period.”
For now, NCERT’s bold revamp redefines how India’s young minds will connect with their nation’s story—one that is as much about reclaiming a civilizational legacy as it is about reimagining the future.
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