Prof. M K Bhat
The deletion of certain topics in the school syllabus by NCERT has started a big discussion in the country about what should and what should not be taught in the history classes. There are some who believe that history has been distorted and facts have not been produced as they were. There was glorification of some dynasties to appease a section of people so as to get their votes. They further hold that there is more stress on Mughal era because it suited the political narration of a particular party. They claim that the communist writers helped the congress party in this endeavor. As per their view, history was being used to serve narrow political ambitions, so half-truths were taught to students. They believe that history was purposely distorted to demean the majority community. They point out that the evils like caste system were highlighted and the evil things of Muslim rule were not highlighted. This group refutes the theory of Aryan invasion, holds epics as historical chronicles and ascribe caste system to the uprising of foreign rule in India.
Contrary to this, the other group holds Aryan Invasion of India as true and brushes aside Indian epics as mythical documents. In order to whitewash everything in secular colors they even neglect the well documented documents of medieval period and highlight generally the positive side of the invaders. They believe caste system has been an integral part of Hindu way of life. They even hold foreign rule responsible for the unification of the country.
It may be worthwhile to mention here that India carries a big history dating back to nearly 5000 years. This can’t be ascribed to any era /dynasty. Vishnu Puran holds Bharat Varsha i.e India at present as a country north of ocean and south of snowcapped mountains, where decedents of Bharata reside. The method of writing history may have undergone drastic change over the years so various religious scripts/legends can’t be totally ignored while making historical assertions for the lack of present-day scientific evidence. Even Ram Setu is now being recognized after certification from NASA. However, the beauty of our history over the years has been that both official versions taught in schools/colleges existed side by side with other version found in legends, folklores, and religious scripts.
As of today, these parallel interpretations of history have grown in the form of protagonists and antagonists of change in history syllabuses. Both furnish their details to prove their point. This has divided the academic community and all those who matter into the change of syllabus of history classes at different levels. The social media has given further wings to these streams and confused the common man about what he was taught in the history classes.
The protagonists of the change hold it as a regular exercise to rationalize the syllabus for the students while as the antagonists take it as an attack on the particular community out of vengeance. Politics has turned hot on this issue and everyone despite his zero knowledge of history wants to poke his nose in the muddy waters. The tempers are quite high partly due to elections and partly because political parties over the years have treated schools as breeding grounds to propagate their political philosophy. They are least interested in what is taught to the students. Unfortunately, our leaders across political parties are more concerned for their own interests rather than the interests of the nation.
It is worthwhile to mention here that history can’t be changed and it encompasses all the good or bad happenings with the subjects of a particular geographical area. Its misdeeds can’t be rectified rather need to be conveyed as they were; to make people derive lessons for future from such happenings. It can’t be presented in half-truths to suit the political ambition of any political party and no community of the present generation can be held responsible for the misdeeds of earlier generations.
It may be said that the wrong narration of history is as fatal as the denial of history. The irony over the years has been that too much importance has been attached to certain portions of history with pre-defined political intensions. The positive aspects of this portion were made a part of school texts while as the negative aspect were kept out of public glare to suit the interests of the political parties. Whether this has been intentional or unintentional is a matter of debate but it has led to counter details from the other side. History contains both truth and fiction; to segregate the two is a matter of interpretation e.g some term Taj Mahal as a sign of love while as others hold Chitoor Garh fort. The former hold that Shahjhan built Taj Mahal in memory of Mumtaz his second wife out of 14 wives while as latter believe that queen Padmvati performed Jauhar when Alludin Khilji thought to capture her.
Certain pertinent questions arise in one’s mind while thinking on what is furnished to the students in classes.
Why more importance was given to foreign invaders and the same importance was not extended to the rulers who tried to resist foreign invasions. It can’t be denied that Mughal history is a part of our history but things look murky when one notices its glorification and neglect of Sikh history. Sikh history could have helped to understand Mughal’s approach towards their people in a better way. Sikh history has every potential to inculcate patriotism in the young minds.
Why Lalitaditya Muktapedia of Karkota dynasty of Kashmir whom Kalhan termed as world conqueror in Rajtarangni, ruled an area much bigger than both Akbar and Ashoka put together, got no place in history texts. The same can be said about Ahoms of Assam.
As per media reports in the class 12 history book “Themes in Indian History Part III ” reference to Nathuram Godse, Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin, as a Brahmin has also been dropped. This has irked all those who dislike the present dispensation and some have termed this change as ill will of the present government towards Mahatma Gandhi. Had this chapter included the mayhem on Chitpavan Brahmins in the aftermath of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, perhaps the Sikh body guards of Mrs. Gandhi would have thought twice before killing her.
Had there been any chapter about the Pakistani infiltration in 1948 and its onslaught on Kashmiri pandits, been taught at any level perhaps the country would not have been caught unaware in 1990.
History is not only about failures of the subjects of a state but it shall also contain those who had shown a combination of exemplary bravery and good mind towards their subjects This can cultivate sense of pride for belonging to the country among the students. There is a lot which can bear vision for students of the country but has got no place in our history books
History for students needs to be written with perspective and shall highlight how the present is getting influenced by the past. It’s another aspect is engagement with truth and objectivity on the one hand and social responsibilities of historians on the other hand. Maximum precaution should be taken to contain personal prejudices aside. History shall give a sense of pride to the student rather than furnish him with a sense of remorse/inferiority. The history of India has a great warrior who sacrificed everything to protect its boundaries from foreign invasion and also contains kings who sided with the enemy to take revenge of their fellow Indian ruler. It depends on the author to ascribe the right piece as per the age of the student and his capability to comprehend.
(The author is a Professor Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi)
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