Restore Mughal History in NCERT Textbooks – Preserve India’s Constitutional Values
Restore Mughal History in NCERT Textbooks – Preserve India’s Constitutional Values
The Issue
To
The Director, NCERT
National Council of Educational Research and Training
Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi – 110016
We, the concerned citizens of India, write to express our strong opposition to the removal of significant portions of Mughal history from NCERT textbooks. This is not merely a matter of curriculum design—it is a question of historical integrity, constitutional values, and the right of our children to a complete and unbiased education.
Why This Matters:
1) Mughal history is Indian history
The Mughal Empire was an essential part of India’s political, cultural, architectural, linguistic, and administrative evolution. From the Taj Mahal to land revenue systems, Urdu language to miniature paintings, the legacy of this period is deeply embedded in our identity.
2) Selective history distorts national consciousness
Omitting one of the most influential chapters of Indian history from school books leads to an incomplete and misleading understanding of the past. This undermines academic objectivity and risks fostering prejudice and ignorance.
3) It violates the Constitution of India
Article 51A(h) urges every citizen “to develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.” Suppressing historical facts directly contradicts this ideal.
Article 14 (Right to Equality) and Article 21 (Right to Education under Right to Life) are also at stake, as children are being denied access to a full and inclusive education.
The National Education Policy (NEP) itself promotes critical thinking, diversity, and respect for all cultures—goals that cannot be achieved with sanitized history.
4) It is unconstitutional and socially divisive.
Deliberately removing Islamic and Mughal contributions alienates large sections of Indian society and contradicts our secular fabric. It promotes historical amnesia, which is dangerous for a pluralistic democracy.
5) Future generations deserve the truth
History is not about glorifying or vilifying—it's about learning, understanding, and growing. Our children deserve the tools to think critically, not just to memorize curated narratives.
WE DEMAND:
1) Immediate restoration of Mughal history and related chapters in the NCERT syllabus.
2) A transparent, expert-led, and non-partisan curriculum review process.
3) Educational material that reflects the diverse, complex, and unified history of India.
This is not just about textbooks. This is about truth, justice, and the soul of our republic.
We, the undersigned, call on NCERT and the Ministry of Education to reverse these regressive changes and uphold India’s commitment to truth, education, and constitutional values.
Sincerely,
The Citizens of India
5
The Issue
To
The Director, NCERT
National Council of Educational Research and Training
Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi – 110016
We, the concerned citizens of India, write to express our strong opposition to the removal of significant portions of Mughal history from NCERT textbooks. This is not merely a matter of curriculum design—it is a question of historical integrity, constitutional values, and the right of our children to a complete and unbiased education.
Why This Matters:
1) Mughal history is Indian history
The Mughal Empire was an essential part of India’s political, cultural, architectural, linguistic, and administrative evolution. From the Taj Mahal to land revenue systems, Urdu language to miniature paintings, the legacy of this period is deeply embedded in our identity.
2) Selective history distorts national consciousness
Omitting one of the most influential chapters of Indian history from school books leads to an incomplete and misleading understanding of the past. This undermines academic objectivity and risks fostering prejudice and ignorance.
3) It violates the Constitution of India
Article 51A(h) urges every citizen “to develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.” Suppressing historical facts directly contradicts this ideal.
Article 14 (Right to Equality) and Article 21 (Right to Education under Right to Life) are also at stake, as children are being denied access to a full and inclusive education.
The National Education Policy (NEP) itself promotes critical thinking, diversity, and respect for all cultures—goals that cannot be achieved with sanitized history.
4) It is unconstitutional and socially divisive.
Deliberately removing Islamic and Mughal contributions alienates large sections of Indian society and contradicts our secular fabric. It promotes historical amnesia, which is dangerous for a pluralistic democracy.
5) Future generations deserve the truth
History is not about glorifying or vilifying—it's about learning, understanding, and growing. Our children deserve the tools to think critically, not just to memorize curated narratives.
WE DEMAND:
1) Immediate restoration of Mughal history and related chapters in the NCERT syllabus.
2) A transparent, expert-led, and non-partisan curriculum review process.
3) Educational material that reflects the diverse, complex, and unified history of India.
This is not just about textbooks. This is about truth, justice, and the soul of our republic.
We, the undersigned, call on NCERT and the Ministry of Education to reverse these regressive changes and uphold India’s commitment to truth, education, and constitutional values.
Sincerely,
The Citizens of India
5
Petition created on 4 May 2025