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Indian history Textbooks Should Focus on Native Dynasties, Says Author Vikram Sampath

He said that while NCERT textbooks educate pupils about all the conflicts that the Indian kings lost, they rarely discuss the wars that they won
on May 15, 2023

Instead of Muslim kings and emperors who were invaders and came from other countries, history textbooks in India should provide more attention to dynasties like the Cholas and Rashtrakutas, who were born and raised in the nation.

Author Vikram Sampath expressed this opinion during a program held by the Confederation of Indian Industries on Friday in Lucknow.

Sampath authored the biography of liberation warrior VD Savarkar. He said that while NCERT textbooks educate pupils about all the conflicts that the Indian kings lost, they rarely discuss the wars that they won.

"In NCERT textbooks, the Chola and Rashtrakuta dynasties are only depicted on maps. The works of Shivaji Maharaj are briefly mentioned with some images of the case of the Marathas, who dominated the whole country. The textbooks don't even name rulers like Lalitaditya Muktapida of Kashmir, Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, and Begum Hazrat Mahal of Lucknow, according to Sampath.

He said the history texts have not changed in the last nine years, despite the shifting political landscape.

When asked how education reform might start, he responded that while governments have their own objectives, the general people must demand curricular modifications.