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NCERT May Drop ‘Great’ from Akbar, Tipu Sultan’s Titles
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is reportedly planning to remove the honorific ‘great’ from Mughal emperor Akbar and Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan’s names in school textbooks. The move has ignited political and academic debates, with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma strongly endorsing it as a step to rectify “Left-leaning historical distortions.”
Why the ‘Great’ Title is Controversial
Akbar and Tipu Sultan have long been celebrated in textbooks—Akbar for religious tolerance and administrative reforms, and Tipu as an anti-colonial warrior. However, critics argue their reigns included forced conversions, temple destruction, and repression of non-Muslims. The BJP-led government has pushed to “Indianize” education, prioritizing indigenous rulers like Shivaji and Maharana Pratap over Mughal figures.
Himanta Biswa Sarma’s Strong Support
At a public event, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma cheered the NCERT’s move with his signature fiery rhetoric, declaring, “Tipu-Ipu ko maro” (a phrase loosely meaning “down with Tipu and his kind”). He accused Left-leaning historians of whitewashing history:
“For decades, textbooks glorified invaders while ignoring Hindu kings who resisted them. NCERT is finally correcting this bias.”
His remarks drew applause from supporters but sharp criticism from opponents, who accused him of oversimplifying history for political gains.
Historians Divided Over the Move
Scholars are split on the NCERT’s decision:
– Supporters argue it balances historical narratives by removing undue glorification.
– Critics warn against reducing history to “good vs. bad” and erasing nuanced perspectives.
“History isn’t black and white,” said Delhi University historian Prof. Nandini Sen. “Akbar’s policies and Tipu’s resistance mattered, but their flaws must also be taught.”
Political Firestorm
- BJP/RSS: Welcome the move as “decolonizing education,” with demands to review other Islamic rulers like Aurangzeb.
- Opposition: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor called it “selective erasure,” urging honest debate over censorship.
What’s Next?
If implemented, this change could reshape how India’s history is taught. But the larger question remains: Should textbooks serve national identity or objective truth? With the 2024 elections nearing, the debate is set to intensify.
— Reported by NextMinuteNews
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