In a significant move, a high-level committee for social sciences formed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to revamp the school curriculum has proposed the substitution of ‘India’ with ‘Bharat’ in school textbooks. This recommendation also suggests the introduction of ‘classical History’ in lieu of ‘ancient History’ in the curriculum. The chairperson of the committee, CI Issac, made these announcements on Wednesday, marking a potentially substantial shift in India’s educational landscape.
The unanimous recommendation made by the seven-member committee has been included in its final position paper on social sciences. This paper holds a crucial role in establishing the foundation for the development of new NCERT textbooks.
CI Issac highlighted that the name ‘Bharat’ is deeply rooted in history and tradition, having its origins in ancient texts like the Vishnu Purana, which dates back over 7,000 years. He noted that the term ‘India’ gained common usage only after the establishment of the East India Company and the battle of Plassey in 1757.
Issac further underlined the significance of ‘Bharat’ by referring to recent instances where the name was officially used by the government. For instance, G20 invites, hosted by the President, were sent out in the name of the ‘President of Bharat’ instead of ‘President of India’. Similarly, the nameplate of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 Summit in New Delhi featured the name ‘Bharat’ instead of ‘India’.
Moreover, the committee’s recommendations extend beyond nomenclature. They propose the adoption of ‘classical history’ as a term in school textbooks instead of ‘ancient history.’ This change seeks to address historical narratives that, according to Issac, inaccurately depicted India as a nation devoid of scientific knowledge and progress. By emphasizing ‘classical history,’ the committee aims to shed light on India’s notable achievements, including Aryabhatta’s contributions to the understanding of the solar system.
The initiative to revise the school curriculum underscores the evolving nature of education in India, as it seeks to reframe historical narratives and nomenclature in line with the country’s rich heritage.