A Shifting Narrative: Why "The Great" is Vanishing from India's History Textbooks

You know, history is never really static, is it? It's always being re-examined, re-interpreted, and sometimes, even rewritten. And right now, there’s a quiet but rather significant shift happening within India's educational landscape, particularly concerning how we view some of our most prominent historical figures. It seems the honorific "the Great" is quietly vanishing from the names of Emperor Akbar and Tipu Sultan in the latest NCERT history textbooks.

This isn't just a minor editorial tweak, mind you. This is a deliberate change that has certainly caught the attention of many, including J Nandakumar, a prominent leader within the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He’s been quite vocal, actually, about this development, heartily commending the move. For him, and perhaps for many others who share his perspective, the designation of "great" shouldn't be handed out so readily, especially not to figures who might be seen as foreign invaders or those who, in their view, fought against the very fabric of the nation.

Nandakumar's argument is straightforward, really. He believes that the title "great" should be exclusively reserved for individuals who genuinely dedicated their lives to serving the nation, its people, and its cultural heritage. He drew a pretty clear line, suggesting that those who came from outside and established empires, or even those who fought against what he perceives as national interests, shouldn't carry such a revered label in our educational materials. It’s a powerful stance, and one that really makes you think about who we choose to elevate in our historical narratives.

Think about it: for generations, students have learned about "Akbar the Great." This emperor, a figure of immense historical importance, known for his administrative acumen and attempts at religious tolerance, has always been presented with this particular honorific. Similarly, Tipu Sultan, the fiercely independent ruler of Mysore, often celebrated for his resistance against the British, was frequently referred to as "Tipu Sultan the Great." Now, these titles are being stripped away, creating a different kind of historical lens for young minds.

This revision isn't happening in a vacuum, of course. It reflects a broader, ongoing national conversation about identity, history, and who gets to define our heroes. When textbooks, which form the bedrock of a child's understanding of the past, undergo such changes, it signals a significant ideological shift. It prompts questions: what kind of history are we now trying to tell? And what values are we trying to instill in the next generation?

Ultimately, while the removal of "the Great" might seem like a small linguistic adjustment, its implications are far-reaching. It opens up a wider debate about historical interpretation, national pride, and indeed, the very nature of greatness itself. It’s a stark reminder that history isn't just a collection of facts; it’s a narrative, and narratives can always be re-evaluated and, yes, even reimagined.