NCERT textbooks have come under fire for selective editing, omission, and distortion of historical facts under the influence of the BJP-led government and RSS ideology. Critics argue that these changes are not mere academic revisions but a systematic rewriting of history to promote certain political narratives while marginalizing others.
1. Erasure of 1,200+ Years of Rajput History
Over 1,200+ years of Rajput history — from the 7th to the 19th century — has been reduced to barely two pages in the latest NCERT books. These limited mentions largely focus on defeats and marriage alliances with the Mughals, while ignoring centuries of victories, resistance, architecture, and cultural achievements.
In stark contrast, the Marathas — a confederacy lasting roughly 100–150 years, often allied with or under the authority of Muslim dynasties such as the Mughals, Ahmadnagar Sultanate, Bijapur (Adil Shahi), and Golconda — receive a full 22-page glorified chapter.
2. Selective History & Double Standards
Rajput-Mughal marriage alliances are highlighted, but similar alliances of Marathas and Jats with Muslim powers are omitted.
The Battle of Haldighati is portrayed as “indecisive,” yet Maharana Pratap’s victories — Battle of Dewair (1582), Siege of Kumbhalgarh (1583), and Battle of Mohi (1577) — are ignored.
The sacrifices of Maharana Pratap, Rao Chandrasen, Veer Durgadas Rathore, Chhatrasal Bundela, Maharana Amar Singh, Rao Surtan Deora, Rani Durgavati Chandel, Maharana Raj Singh, Sawai Jai Singh, Hadi Rani, and many others are either omitted or underrepresented.
Rajput warriors who stopped the complete Islamization of India attempted by powerful Arab, Ghaznavid, Mughal emperors are denied due credit.
Major warriors such as Nagabhata Pratihara, Khuman, Anangpal Tomar, to Prithviraj, Bhoj Paramara, Alha-Udal, Jayachand Gahadavala, Banda Singh Bahadur, General Zorawar Singh, Man Singh, Vikramaditya Parmar, Sansar Chand, Gajpati Parmar, Porus Katoch, Mihirbhoj Pratihar, Jai Singh II etc are completely missing.
3. Ignored Dynasties & Political Contributions
Entire dynasties such as the Sisodiyas, Parmars, Pratiharas, Solankis, Chauhans, Tomars, Chalukyas, Kachhwahas, Rashtrakutas, Bhatis, Gahadavala, Chandels etc are completely missing:
Leading the military resistance against Arab, Ghaznavid, Ghurid, Turkish, Delhi Sultanate, and Mughal invasions.
Ruling for more than 500 centuries — from Bappa Rawal to Prithviraj Chauhan — and later holding strong ground, either in alliance or independent.
Victories ranging from defeating Qutb al-Din Aibak to Rana Sanga’s win over Ibrahim Lodi, and from resisting Khiljis to Aurangzeb.
4. Architectural Heritage & Cultural Contributions
Rajputs have single-handedly built more monuments across India than any other community, from Kumbhalgarh to Gwalior Fort, Mehrangarh to Kangra Fort, and Jammu to Odisha. They created and restored majority of Hindu temples such as Ram Mandir, Kashi Vishwanath, the Khajuraho Group of Temples, Somnath, etc and made remarkable contributions to Jain architecture like Ranakpur and Mount Abu. Styles like Pratihara, Chandel, Bundeli, Solanki (Maru-Gurjara style) reflect their unmatched mastery in architecture, yet NCERT books ignore this legacy.
5. Misrepresentation of the Maratha Confederacy
The map in NCERT content depicts Maratha territories inaccurately — showing regions where they merely collected chauth (tax) or conducted raids as if they were under direct governance. Historically, Marathas often acted as chauth collectors, plunderers, and temporary occupants, not consistent rulers.
6. Missing Accounts of Rajput Battles
Rajputs are the only community in the Indian subcontinent to have fought more battles against foreign invaders than any other, from the first Islamic invasions to the British era.
From halting the Arab advance at the Battle of Rajasthan under Nagabhata Pratihara, to victories over Ghaznavid and Ghurid forces, to the valiant stands of Rana Sanga, Maharana Pratap, Veer Durgadas Rathore, Rani Durgavati, and Chhatrasal Bundela, their military history is unmatched in scale and endurance — yet NCERT textbooks almost entirely omit it.
They resisted and often defeated Arabs, Turks, Ghaznavids, Afghans, Mughals, and even the British, defending their land, faith, and culture for over a millennium.
7. Defaming Rajputs Through Selective Terminology
NCERT textbooks deliberately highlight Rajput–Mughal alliances — whether through marriage, political agreements, or military cooperation — but ignore the fact that Marathas, Jats, and others also formed similar alliances with the Mughals, Afghans, Bijapur, Golconda, and Ahmadnagar Sultanate. This selective presentation creates a biased narrative.
When referring to alliances, NCERT often attaches the word “Rajput” before the warrior’s name to emphasize subordination, yet omits it when acknowledging Rajputs as independent rulers. For example, Mirza Raja Jai Singh is labeled as a “Rajput general,” but Chhatrasal Bundela is merely called a “Bundela prince,” stripping away his Rajput identity. This pattern repeats for multiple figures, erasing their true heritage and legacy.
Such selective labeling misleads students and diminishes Rajput contributions, making it imperative to provide balanced representation of all Indian regions and dynasties, supported by transparent and verifiable sources.