In a decisive move reshaping the narrative of India’s history education, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Sunil Ambekar announced sweeping revisions in NCERT textbooks, including the removal of the honorific “the great” from iconic figures like Mughal emperor Akbar and Mysore’s Tipu Sultan.

Speaking at the Orange City Literature Festival, Ambekar framed these changes as a “positive shift” toward a more truthful portrayal of history — one that neither erases nor glorifies but rather holds historical figures accountable for their actions, including the darker chapters of cruelty and conquest.

Highlighting that no historical personalities have been erased, Ambekar stressed the importance of exposing students to the full spectrum of their legacies.

The textbooks, now revised for 11 of 15 classes with new editions for Classes 9, 10, and 12 slated for release next year, aim to foster critical understanding rather than uncritical reverence.

“The use of grandiose titles like ‘Akbar the Great’ or ‘Tipu Sultan the Great’ no longer finds a place in the curriculum,” Ambekar declared, emphasizing that some discomfort around confronting difficult truths is inevitable but necessary. “History cannot be whitewashed, and these realities must be taught.”

Beyond textbook reforms, Ambekar celebrated India’s rich ancient knowledge traditions, shining a spotlight on Nalanda University’s extraordinary academic diversity.

According to him, Nalanda offered as many as 76 specialized skill-based courses, spanning disciplines from agriculture and urban planning to espionage, political governance, and mechanization — testaments to India’s enduring legacy as a global intellectual powerhouse.

Turning to contemporary society, Ambekar cautioned against sacrificing cultural values in the race for development, warning that many civilizations have lost their soul in the process.

Reflecting on the Ram temple movement, he argued it was “not just about constructing a building, but about awakening cultural consciousness” and urged Indians to deeply consider their connection to Lord Ram and the country’s foundational ethos.

Closing on a hopeful note, Ambekar praised India’s youth as “capable, well-exposed, and patriotic,” highlighting how patriotism has become a “cool” attribute for a new generation ready to shape India’s future with pride and purpose.

This bold recalibration of history education signals a shift toward confronting India’s past with clarity and courage—inviting students and citizens alike to engage with their heritage in all its complexity.