Mughals like Babur, Aurangzeb etc. destroyed Hindu temples and converted them : NCERT textbook

NCERT’s 8th-grade Sociology book revised

(NCERT stands for National Council of Educational Research and Training)

New Delhi – The Mughal ruler Babur was extremely cruel and merciless. He brutally killed Hindus in many cities and converted them. Akbar’s reign was both cruel and tolerant, while Aurangzeb destroyed temples and gurudwaras. This information is given in the NCERT’s revised textbook of Sociology for the 8th grade. The history of the Mughals and the Marathas has also been included in it. The above information is included under a section titled ‘The dark chapters in history’. It has also been clarified that ‘no one can be held responsible today for the events that happened in history’.

Historical information from the 13th century to the 17th century

There is a section in this book called ‘Reshaping India’s Political Map’. It mentions the major events that happened from the 13th century to the 17th century. The Delhi Empire, the Vijayanagar Empire, Mughal rule, and the arrival of the Sikhs, all these topics are mentioned in this book. The information about the structure of the villages and cities during that period is also included. Mughal army looting villages and cities, destroying temples and religious places, etc, also finds mention in this textbook.

Some important information in the book

1. Babur was a very cruel ruler. He attacked cities, killed thousands of people, and imprisoned women and children.

2. Malik Kafur, the general of Alauddin Khilji, attacked temples like Srirangam, Madurai, Chidambaram, and Rameswaram.

3. Aurangzeb demolished Hindu temples at Mathura, Somnath, as well as Jain temples. He also attacked Sikh gurdwaras.

4. The Mughals vandalised and looted Hindu, Buddhist and Jain temples and their idols.

5. The Jizya tax was imposed on Hindus. The Mughals used to insult Hindus and tell them to convert to Islam.

Editorial Perspective

This is not the ‘saffronization’ of history, but an attempt to tell the true history by stopping the ‘Islamisation’ of history. This is the beginning; there is still a lot of truth to be revealed.