Nagpur: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Sunil Ambekar stated on Friday that recent revisions to NCERT history textbooks have omitted the term "the great" when referring to Mughal emperor Akbar and Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan.
Speaking at the Orange City Literature Festival organised by SGR Knowledge Foundation, Ambekar welcomed the revisions, describing them as positive changes. He stressed that while no historical figures had been removed, the new generation should be made aware of their “cruel deeds.”
Ambekar, who is Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh of the RSS, said NCERT had revised books for 11 classes, with changes in Classes 9, 10 and 12 to be introduced next year. “I could see that many good changes have been brought in the history books, and more could be done in the future,” he remarked.
He also spoke about Nalanda University, noting that contrary to popular belief, its curriculum extended beyond religious texts such as the Vedas, Puranas, Ramayana and Mahabharata. Along with literature, 76 skill-based courses were taught, including farming, urban planning, make-up, secret agent training, political governance and mechanisation, Ambekar said.
Reflecting on India’s cultural heritage, he cautioned that societies worldwide had compromised their traditions in pursuit of development, often at the cost of family life and values.
On the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Ambekar said the RSS’s campaign was not only about construction but about reinforcing cultural identity. “we should think about our relation with Lord Ram along with the temple. What is our relationship with the culture of Lord Ram, what is the meaning of the culture of Ram and what relationship does it have with the culture of our country and our future life,” he said.
He praised India’s youth, describing them as patriotic, capable and exposed to global ideas. Patriotism is a cool thing for them, he added.