Chapters Related to Caste Struggles, Colonialism of Class 9th History Book Will Be Dropped

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has decided to drop three chapters from its 9th class history textbook as a part of the second textbook review undertaken by the current government. As per a report in the Indian Express, the revised edition, which will not be including almost 70 pages from the textbook titled India and the Contemporary World – I will come into existence before the new academic session commences.

One of the three chapters removed from the history textbook includes “Clothing: A Social History” which briefed the influence of social movements on clothing and a section on ‘Caste Conflict and Dress Change’. Many objections have appeared with reference to the “Upper Cloth Revolt” in south India, during which ‘lower’ caste Nadar women were attacked by Nairs in Travancore to defy the dictum of not covering their upper bodies before the dominant castes. The chapter depicts that “over subsequent eras, violent conflict over dress codes ensued”.

The Central Board of Secondary Education previously had issued circular informing affiliated schools which the section on ‘Caste Conflict and Dress Change’ would be “removed from the curriculum” and kids would not be questioned on its contents.

There is another chapter which is scheduled to be removed from the textbook. It traces the history and Victorian origins of the sport of cricket along with its connection to the politics of region, caste, and community and the subsequent adoption of the sport by the British colonies.

Also, there is one more chapter which tells in detail the impact of colonialism and capitalism on rural communities and peasants titled ‘Peasants and Farmers’ will also be removed from the revised edition. While the decision to remove some parts of the syllabus is a part of the curriculum rationalization exercise started by Prakash Javadekar, the human resource development minister appears to lower the burden on students. The content which is removed from the social science textbooks is considerably more than that deleted from the mathematics and science textbooks.

It’s not the first time the regime in power has re-written history to suit a certain narrative. The government of Narendra Modi has repeatedly been accused of ‘saffronizing’ education particularly by editing history textbooks.

By: Preeti Narula

Content: https://thewire.in/education/ncert-history-textbook-caste-struggles-colonialsm