‘Why Schools Teach About Aurangzeb & Not Sambhaji?’ Amid ‘Chhaava’ Debate, We Help Find The Answer – News18

Last Updated:February 28, 2025, 07:53 IST

Chhaava Sparks Debate: Addressing concerns over the absence of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in NCERT textbooks. Director Dr. Dinesh Saklani told News18.com that new textbooks aligned with NCFs are in development.

Aurangzeb vs Sambhaji Debate:

A new controversy has broken out on social media regarding the depiction of Indian history in school textbooks, with many wondering why students are taught about Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb but get little or no information about Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The debate gained traction after cricket commentator Aakash Chopra and a few other users expressed concerns regarding historical accounts in education, especially in NCERT textbooks.

Aakash Chopra, in an X (formerly Twitter) post, stated: “Watched Chhaava today. Simply amazing story of courage, selflessness, and responsibility. Real question—why didn’t we ever learn about Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj at school? Not even a whisper anywhere! But we did learn that Akbar was a great and just emperor, and Delhi even has a major road named Aurangzeb Road. Why and how did this occur?”

A few users voiced similar sentiments. Shubham Agarwal posted on X: “Films like Chhaava make us ponder—why were we never taught about great warriors like Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the real savior of the land, in NCERT history textbooks? History rather romanticized foreign invaders and kept the sacrifices of those who battled for us a secret.”

Another poster, Sujay Singh Rawat, commented: “Respected Sambhaji Chhaava, I owe an apology. I was unaware of your legacy. Despite reading History, courtesy NCERT textbooks, I was oblivious. I assure you of keeping your legacy alive in my personal capacity.”

With these concerns gaining momentum, News18.com examined NCERT textbooks to see what they teach about Aurangzeb and Sambhaji Maharaj.

Current Mentions Of Aurangzeb In NCERT Textbooks

Class VII History Textbook (Our Pasts – II)

In Chapter 4: “The Mughal Empire,” Aurangzeb is mentioned concerning the challenges he faced during his reign. The text notes that Aurangzeb struggled to control developments in his later years, leading to economic strain and significant suffering among the peasantry.

Class VIII History Textbook (Our Pasts – III)

Chapter 8: “Eighteenth-Century Political Formations” underscores Aurangzeb’s extended Deccan wars and the way they sapped the resources of the Mughal Empire, which finally led to its downfall.

Revisions

In earlier editions of the Class XII history book (Themes in Indian History – Part II), one chapter, “Kings and Chronicles: The Mughal Courts,” gave an overview of Mughal administration, culture, and emperors such as Aurangzeb. But this chapter has been dropped in 2023 in NCERT’s rationalisation move.

The earlier textbook also claimed that Mughal emperors, including Aurangzeb, issued grants for temple repairs after they were damaged during wars. It specifically mentioned that both Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb provided financial assistance for temple reconstruction.

However, in January 2021, an RTI application revealed that NCERT had no information regarding the sources of these assertions.

Later, in December 2021, a petition was filed in the Delhi High Court seeking the removal of a paragraph from the Class 12 history textbook, which stated: “Even when temples were destroyed during war, grants were later issued for repairs, as we know from the reigns of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb.”

The petitioners, Sanjeev Vikal and Dapinder Singh, argued that this claim lacked a factual basis. However, the Bench of Justice D.N. Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh refused to entertain the matter and allowed the petition’s withdrawal, stating, “We cannot decide on the policies of Aurangzeb and Shah Jahan.”

What NCERT Has On Sambhaji Maharaj?

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the second emperor of the Maratha Empire, is referred to in the NCERT textbook, but no detail on his life, contributions and legacy. Class VIII History Textbook (Our Pasts – III), Chapter 8: “Eighteenth-Century Political Formations,” has a pictorial presentation of Maratha emperors, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Sambhaji, Chhatrapati Rajaram, Maharani Tarabai and Shahu Maharaj.

Controversial Mention Of Sambhaji Maharaj In A Marathi Book

In 2018, the Maharashtra State Council of Educational Research and Training (MSCERT) recalled a Marathi book, “Shri Samarth Ramdas Swami,” following protests against a derogatory mention of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.

The book, authored by Dr. Subha Sathe, was recommended for students under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan’s supplementary reading scheme. However, it contained the controversial statement: “Sambhaji Raja was found to be inebriated and in the grip of vice.”

After political leaders protested, including then Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan and NCP leader Dhananjay Munde, MSCERT released a circular recalling the book. A committee of historians was also constituted to examine the objections.

NCERT On Sambhaji’s Absence In Textbooks: ‘New Books In Development’

To know why Sambhaji Maharaj is not mentioned in NCERT textbooks and if there are any plans to include him in textbooks in future, News18.com reached out to NCERT Director Dr. Dinesh Saklani.

Speaking to News18.com, Dr. Saklani said, “This is all about old books. We are now preparing new textbooks on the basis of the new NCFs (National Curriculum Framework). There is no need to look back; we have to go ahead. Please wait for the new books. A lot of work has been done to take corrective measures towards the old textbooks as well.”