India’s history is now emerging in a clear and neutral form. NCERT In the new class 7 social science book of Ghaznavi The Ghaznavid invasions are now detailed not in just one paragraph, but in six pages – including 17 attacks on India by Mahmud Ghaznavi, the plundering of ancient cities like Mathura, Kannauj, Somnath, the destruction of huge temples, the killing of countless civilians and the taking of many children and civilians as captives and sold in slave markets in Central Asia. Apart from this, other invasions of 11th-12th century (such as Ghurids, Qutubuddin Aibak, Bakhtiyar Khilji etc.) are also focused on. So that the students understand how many times and in what manner India was attacked by external forces.
Note on the dark phase of ‘Box’ history
The Indian Express reports that before the section on the Ghaznavid invasions, there is a box containing “a word of caution”. This box is like a note on the dark phase of history, which was published before the chapter on Delhi Sultanate in the class 8 text book. Box notes have been used in this class 7 text book. The box highlights how history has promoted war, conquest and destruction more than peace, good governance or creativity, but historians around the world have ignored such dark periods.
The purpose of including such a box is to explain why this happened? So that that situation does not come again in future. It has also been told that we should not forget that past events cannot be erased or denied. It would be wrong to hold anyone responsible for them today. The new text book is for use in the current academic session. Part 1 of the textbook was released earlier this year.
Mention of Ghaznavi’s misdeeds
There was a paragraph on Mahmud Ghaznavi in the old text book of NCERT Class 7 History. It was reported that rulers tried to demonstrate their power and resources by building large temples and when they attacked kingdoms they targeted temples that were sometimes very wealthy. It mentioned that Mahmud Ghaznavi attacked the subcontinent 17 times for religious purposes and targeted rich temples and looted their wealth.
The ‘Ghaznavi Invasion’ section contains about six pages including boxes and photographs. It details Mahmud’s 17 campaigns in India, the plundering of a temple in Mathura, the destruction of the temples of Kannauj and the Somnath Shiva temple in Somnath, Gujarat. It tells students that the existing temple was built in 1950 and inaugurated the next year by the then President of India Rajendra Prasad. They are then asked why they think it was decided to fund its construction entirely through public donations.
This section also describes Mahmud Ghaznavi’s campaigns, which included the massacre of thousands of Indian civilians and the capture of many prisoners, including children, who were taken to be sold in the slave markets of Central Asia. It further states that his biographers portray him as a powerful but cruel and ruthless general, who was ‘eager to massacre or enslave not only the infidels’ (i.e., Hindus or Buddhists or Jains), but also followers of rival sects of Islam.”
Killed infidels, captured property
Mahmud’s court historian al-Utbi is quoted as saying that he killed the infidels and took away their children and cattle as booty, captured many other areas, and destroyed their temples, their sacred buildings, building mosques instead to reflect the light of Islam.
At the same time, quoting Al-Biruni, it has been said that he pointed towards the origin of the Shivalinga worshiped in the Somnath temple and that Prince Mahmud had destroyed it. He ordered to break the upper part and take the remaining part to his residence, Ghazni. A part of the statue is lying in front of the door of the Ghazni Mosque.
In the chapter ‘Changing Tides: 11th and 12th Centuries’ of the NCEIT’s seventh class book, it is mentioned that Muhammad Ghori wanted to conquer the region. This points to his general Qutb-ud-din Aibak and Aibak’s army commander Bakhtiyar Khilji, who campaigned in eastern India from the late 12th century.
Nalanda and Vikramshila universities were also destroyed
On his way to Bengal, he destroyed major Buddhist monasteries and universities such as Nalanda and Vikramashila, carried out extensive plunder and killed a large number of monks. “There is agreement among historians of Buddhism that the destruction of these great centers of learning hastened the decline of Buddhism in India, although some other factors may also have played a role,” it says, before detailing Khilji’s attack on Nalanda, where “the library is said to have burned for months.”
NCERT Director Dinesh Saklani said that the material itself makes everything clear. The chapter on the Ghaznavid invasions is preceded by a chapter on empires and states from the 6th to the 10th centuries. Covering the rulers of Kannauj, Kashmir, the Chalukyas, the Rashtrakutas, the Pallavas and the Cholas, it concludes with a section on the foreign invasions of Central Asia by the Huns and Arabs.
mention of muhammad bin qasim
This points to the arrival of Muhammad bin Qasim who was sent by the governor of Iraq to Sindh. It cites a 13th-century Persian record as saying that Bin Qasim considered it his duty to wage this religious war, following God’s command which says in the Quran, “Make war against the infidels.” It mentions the murder of Raja Dahir, a ruler of Sindh. This also includes the explanation of the word Kafir. For medieval Islam, infidels were non-Muslims, especially Hindus, Buddhists or Jains, the book explains.
Arab invasion of Sindh
The Arab invasion of Sindh and Muhammad bin Qasim were not part of the old Class 7 history book. NCERT is bringing new school textbooks as per the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023. As of now new books from class 1 to 8 are available. In earlier years, there were three social science textbooks in Class 7, one book each for history, social and political life, and geography. Along with the new books, Class 7 students will use two textbooks, each of which will cover all three themes.
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