CI Issac went on to say that the committee, which is one of 25 constituted by the NCERT in 2021 to develop position papers on various disciplines and issues, has also proposed that ‘classical history’ be used instead of ‘ancient history’ in textbooks.
A high-level committee for social sciences formed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to revise the school curriculum has recommended swapping the name ‘India’ with ‘Bharat’ in textbooks and presenting ‘classical History’ instead of ancient History, said committee chairperson CI Issac on Wednesday.
Issac stated that the seven-member committee’s unanimous proposal was mentioned in its final position paper on social sciences, which is a major prescriptive document for building the ground for the construction of new NCERT textbooks.
The Constitution already specifies in Article 1(1) that “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.”
Bharat is an ancient name. The term Bharat appears in ancient scriptures such as the 7,000-year-old Vishnu Purana, according to Issac.
“The term India started to be used commonly shortly after the establishment of the East India Company and the battle of Plassey in 1757,” stated the historian. As a result, the committee unanimously recommended that the word ‘Bharat’ be used in textbooks for pupils of all grades, according to Issac.
The word Bharat first surfaced officially after the government handed out G20 invites hosted by the President in the name of ‘President of Bharat’, instead of ‘President of India’.
Later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nameplate read ‘Bharat’ instead of ‘India’ during the Summit in New Delhi.
Issac went on to say that the committee, which is one of 25 constituted by the NCERT in 2021 to develop position papers on various disciplines and issues, has also proposed that ‘classical history’ be used instead of ‘ancient history’ in textbooks.
He said that the British separated Indian history into three periods: ancient, medieval, and modern, depicting India as being in the dark, and ignorant of scientific knowledge and development. Many instances of India’s successes in that era, he noted, including Aryabhatta’s work on the solar system model.
“Therefore, we have suggested that the classical period of Indian History be taught in schools along with medieval and modern periods,” Issac went on to say.
He further stated that the group has advised that “Hindu victories” be highlighted in textbooks.
“Our failures are now mentioned in textbooks.” “Our victories over the Mughals and Sultans, on the other hand, are not,” said Issac, a member of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR).
Furthermore, the committee has proposed that the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) be included in the curriculum of all disciplines.
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In accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the NCERT is changing the curriculum of school textbooks. To complete the curriculum, textbooks, and learning material for these classes, the council has formed a 19-member National Syllabus and Teaching Learning Material Committee (NSTC).
