NCERT Withdraws Controversial Map from Class 8 Textbook After Jaisalmer Protests
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has taken decisive action by removing a contentious map from its Class 8 Social Science textbook. This move comes in response to strong objections that the map inaccurately depicted Jaisalmer and other areas of erstwhile Rajputana as part of the Maratha Empire during the 18th century.
Details of the Textbook and Map Removal
The map originally appeared on Page 71 of Unit 3 in a chapter titled 'Rise of Marathas' within the textbook 'Exploring Society: India and Beyond'. In the revised digital edition for the 2025–26 academic session, this map has been excised. A footnote on Page 70 now explicitly states: "In the next edition of this textbook, a new version of map 3.11 (which depicted the extent of the Maratha empire in 1759) will be given."
Widespread Opposition and Political Reactions
The controversial depiction sparked significant backlash from various quarters. Maharawal Chaitanyaraj Singh, the titular head of Jaisalmer's former ruling family, confirmed the development on Tuesday and welcomed the correction. He emphasized that academic institutions have a responsibility to provide accurate and authentic knowledge to students.
Objections to the map were first raised on social media in August last year and were later formally communicated to the NCERT. Beyond the former Jaisalmer royal family, the map triggered opposition from Rajput organizations and community members across Rajasthan. Singh had previously described the map as historically misleading, factually incorrect, and a grave error, urging Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for immediate correction.
The controversy intensified as other former royal families in Rajasthan also objected to the portrayal of their regions as part of the Maratha Empire. Notable figures joining the criticism included Rajsamand BJP MP Mahima Kumari Mewar, MLA Vishvaraj Singh Mewar, and former Union minister Jitendra Singh from the erstwhile Alwar royal family. Additionally, Brigadier (retd) Bhupesh Singh Hada from Bundi submitted representations to the central government seeking the map's removal.
Historical Arguments and Criticisms
Critics argued vehemently that there is no historical evidence in official records, archival documents, or other authentic sources to support claims of Maratha dominance, taxation, invasion, or interference in Jaisalmer. They maintained that the Marathas never exercised control or influence over the region, making the map's depiction fundamentally flawed.
Devendra Pratap Singh, director of the Jaisalmer Fort Palace Museum, termed the map's removal a positive step. However, he called for the NCERT to issue an apology, stating that the earlier depiction had hurt public sentiments and misrepresented historical facts.
Backlash from Maharashtra and Defense of the Map
Conversely, the removal has drawn criticism from some circles in Maharashtra. Maratha historians had defended the map as accurate, citing 18th-century records, including the 1752 pact between the Mughal Empire and the Marathas. Following the map's deletion from the textbook, Nagpur's Raja Mudhoji Bhosale accused the NCERT of unilaterally erasing the depiction of Maratha expansion from history books under pressure from Rajput families.
This development highlights the ongoing tensions between historical interpretations and regional identities in India's educational materials. The NCERT's decision underscores the importance of factual accuracy in textbooks, while also reflecting the complex interplay of historical narratives and community sensitivities in the country's academic discourse.
