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NCERT’s Revised Class 9 Textbook Reframes Mughal-Sikh History
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Core Changes in the New Textbook
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) released the Class 9 Social Science textbook Understanding Society: India and Beyond – Part Two on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. The history chapter, “Resistance and Resilience (1000–1700 CE),” foregrounds the “brutality of the Mughal state” against Sikh Gurus and places it alongside resistance by Jats, Ahoms, Rajputs, Marathas and other regional powers.
Historical Depiction of Mughal-Sikh Conflict
- Guru Arjan Dev (fifth Guru) is described as executed by Emperor Jahangir on the pretext of alleged support for Jahangir’s rebellious son, Khusrau Mirza, marking a turning point for the Sikh community.
- Guru Hargobind (sixth Guru) is recorded as detained by Jahangir at Gwalior Fort, with large numbers of Sikhs paying respects from outside the fort.
- “In 1675, Aurangzeb ordered the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru. The martyrdom proved a turning point in Indian history.” — Regarding Guru Tegh Bahadur
- Guru Gobind Singh (tenth Guru) is credited with establishing the Khalsa in 1699, creating a martial code that linked spiritual and political identity.
The narrative links these events to the emergence of collective armed resistance, citing Guru Hargobind’s establishment of the Akal Takht and the concept of miri-piri (spiritual and temporal authority).
Wider Resistance Narrative
- Ahoms: The Battle of Saraighat in 1671, where commander Lachit Borphukan defeated a Mughal fleet, is highlighted as an example of guerrilla tactics and strategic alliances.
- Rajputs, Marathas and other kingdoms: The chapter references Rana Sanga’s 1527 confederacy against Babur, Maharana Pratap’s resistance, and Shivaji’s use of forts and guerrilla warfare, framing them as part of a broader pattern of defending sovereignty.
Background & Context of Curriculum Shift
Earlier editions emphasized European revolutions. The 2026 revision replaces those chapters with a focus on Indian medieval history and indigenous resistance, aligning with the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023. Part 1, released in June 2026, covered foundational social-science concepts; Part 2 expands the narrative to invasions, resistance movements and Mughal-period dynamics.
Why It Matters
By foregrounding Mughal religious discrimination and Sikh martyrdom as catalysts for armed resistance, the textbook reshapes how students may perceive the Mughal era and Sikh identity, contrasting with earlier accounts that framed the conflicts primarily as political power struggles.
Official Statements & Responses
“The content has been carefully selected to engage students with questions related to society, governance, environment, culture, economy, and human relationships. This approach aims to encourage learners to think critically and empathetically about the world they inhabit.” — Dinesh Prasad Saklani, NCERT director. NCERT did not respond to media queries for further comment.
Criticism & Opposition
Historian Ruchika Sharma, former fellow at the University of Essex, argues that the textbook revives a “massively debunked” interpretation of the Sikh-Mughal conflict as primarily religious. She contends the early relationship was “cordial” and that Guru Arjan’s execution resulted from political support for Khusrau, not religious persecution. Sharma adds that subsequent Sikh institutions—such as the Akal Takht, tax collection in Mughal-controlled areas and fort construction without imperial permission—represented direct challenges to Mughal authority, underscoring a political motive.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The sources do not provide a detailed scholarly reconciliation of these differing interpretations, leaving a gap in the presentation of historiographical debate.