NCERT’s Proposal to Revise Historical Titles Sparks Debate
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has endorsed reports that the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) may drop the honorific ‘Great’ from Mughal emperor Akbar and Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan in school textbooks. Sarma’s remark—“Throw Tipu in the sea”—has intensified the debate, with critics calling it historical revisionism while supporters see it as correcting colonial-era biases.
Why the Change? NCERT’s Push for ‘Indianized’ History
NCERT’s reported review aligns with the government’s effort to highlight indigenous rulers like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Maharana Pratap, who resisted foreign rule.
- Himanta Sarma’s Stand:
- Questioned Akbar’s title, asking, “What was so great about him?”
- Called Tipu Sultan a “brutal ruler” who persecuted Hindus and Christians.
Akbar & Tipu Sultan: Hero or Tyrant?
The controversy reflects long-standing divisions over these historical figures:
- Akbar (1542–1605):
- Praised for religious tolerance (Sulh-e-Kul) but criticized for temple destruction.
- Tipu Sultan (1750–1799):
- Hailed as an anti-British freedom fighter but accused of forced conversions.
Political Reactions: BJP vs Opposition
- Opposition Criticism: Congress’s Shashi Tharoor called it “selective erasure,” while Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah accused the BJP of “divisive politics.”
- BJP’s Defense: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated, “We are correcting history, not erasing it.”
Public & Expert Opinions
Social media reactions are split:
– Supporters: Call it “decolonizing history.”
– Critics: Argue history should be taught with nuance, not reduced to binaries.
What’s Next?
If NCERT proceeds, this could reshape how Indian history is taught. Historians like Prof. Irfan Habib caution against politicizing education, urging critical analysis over simplification.
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