Mughal history whitewashed in texts say two educationists

Topics Covered: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

Mughal history whitewashed in texts, say two educationists:

Context:

At its meeting on textbook reforms, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education heard presentations from right-wing organisations and educationists.

• Few experts at the meeting argued that Mughal history is being whitewashed in Indian textbooks, and crowding out space for history from the Vedic era.

Why this meeting was convened?

1. To remove “references to un-historical facts and distortions about our national heroes”,
2. To ensure “equal or proportionate references to all periods of Indian history” and
3. To highlight the role of great women in Indian history.

The arguments:

1. The amount of space given to the Mughal era versus the reign of Hindu kings needed to be balanced.
2. The Indian history was falsely written as though foreign rule existed only for 200 years of the British Raj, without taking into account the 1,000 years before that.
3. The Mughal era had been whitewashed, and their role as invaders had been muted.
4. There was a need for children to be taught “Indian culture” from the Vedic era onwards.

NCERT revision:

The NCERT is currently in the process of revising textbooks, and is likely to complete the process by 2024. Recommendations have been given to change higher education syllabi as well, to ensure that it aligns with the changes in school textbooks.

InstaLinks:

Prelims Link:

1. About Mughal Rule in India.
2. Important rulers.
3. Administration.
4. Contributions to art and architecture.

Mains Link:

Write a note on important contributions of Mughals to Indian art and architecture.

Sources: the Hindu.