‘Akbar brutal, Babur ruthless’: NCERT gives Mughal era a makeover; adds a no-blame footnote

NCERT’s new Class 8 Social Science textbook reframes medieval Indian history, including the Mughal era, with a balanced, critical lens. While detailing events like Babur’s invasions and Akbar’s conquests, it avoids assigning blame, urging students to analyse rather than judge. The textbook promotes understanding complex pasts to foster empathy, reflection, and informed citizenship in today’s learners.