Mughals such as Babur, Aurangzeb destroyed Hindu temples and converted Hindus : NCERT Textbook

Cover of the Textbook

New Delhi – 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 also clarifies that no one can be held responsible today for the events that happened in history.

Historical information from the 13th Century to the 17^th Century

There is a section in this textbook called ‘Reshaping India’s Political Map’. It mentions the major events that took place from the 13th Century to the 17^th Century. The Delhi Empire, the Vijayanagar Empire, Mughal rule, and the arrival of the Sikhs, all these are mentioned in this textbook. Information on the structure of villages and cities during that period has been included. Mughal army looting villages and cities, destroying temples and religious places, etc., finds mention in this textbook.

Some important information in the textbook

1. Babur attacked cities, killed thousands of people, and imprisoned women and children.

2. Malik Kafur, the general of Alauddin Khilji, attacked temples such as 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.

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