NCERT Class 8 Social Science Book 2025 Omits Tipu Sultan, Anglo-Mysore Wars in Colonial Chapter
A major update to the NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook has sparked debate among educators and history enthusiasts. The new edition of the book, titled Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 1), has been released for the 2025 academic session. Notably, the chapter dealing with India’s colonial history skips any mention of Tipu Sultan, Haider Ali, and the Anglo-Mysore Wars — key elements previously included in earlier versions of the same textbook.
This revision is part of a broader overhaul guided by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF). While Part 1 of the book is now in circulation, Part 2 is expected later this year. However, according to the textbook development committee’s chairman, Michel Danino, it is “unlikely” that Tipu Sultan and the Anglo-Mysore conflicts will be featured even in the second volume.
What’s Covered in the New Chapter on Colonial India
The updated chapter traces the story of colonialism from the arrival of Vasco da Gama in the late 1400s to the Rebellion of 1857. It outlines how the British transitioned from traders to rulers, with pivotal references to the Battle of Plassey (1757) and the concept of the “drain of wealth” from India. According to the text, “one of the richest lands of the world had become one of the poorest” by the time India achieved independence.
Instead of a detailed chronology of wars, the book provides a more thematic approach. It highlights:
- The Sannyasi-Fakir Rebellion of the 1700s
- The Kol and Santhal uprisings
- Peasant revolts of the 19th century
There is a separate chapter on the Marathas, which does mention the Anglo-Maratha Wars (1775–1818). The book states that “the British took India from the Marathas more than from the Mughals or any other power.”
What’s Missing: Tipu Sultan and the Anglo-Mysore Wars
In earlier editions of the textbook, the colonial chapter included significant discussion of Mysore’s resistance under Haider Ali and his son Tipu Sultan, popularly remembered as the “Tiger of Mysore”. The four Anglo-Mysore Wars of the 18th century played a central role in shaping the subcontinent’s political landscape before the East India Company consolidated its rule. These are now absent from the revised text.
Asked whether these elements might be included in the upcoming Part 2, Danino responded, “Probably not,” adding that “it’s not possible to cover every event of the colonial period.” He emphasized that the Middle Stage (Classes 6-8) aims to offer a broad overview, while more in-depth coverage is reserved for Secondary Stage (Classes 9-12).
New Additions: Railways, GDP, and Cultural Theft
The revised book does, however, bring in new material not present in the old version, particularly focused on the economic and cultural exploitation of India during British rule.
Key additions include:
- India’s share of global GDP: Until the 16th century, India contributed at least 25% of the world GDP, equalling China.
- “Drain of wealth”: The book cites economist Utsa Patnaik’s estimate that colonial rulers extracted the equivalent of $45 trillion USD (in today’s value) between 1765 and 1938.
- Railways and telegraphs: The book explains that India’s railway and telegraph networks were not gifts from the British but funded entirely by Indian tax revenues, serving British commercial and military interests.
- Cultural theft: The chapter details how the colonisers looted thousands of artefacts — including statues, jewels, and manuscripts — many of which now reside in European museums and private collections.
Why These Changes Matter
Danino defended the new approach, stating that omitting certain battles or rulers is part of a pedagogical shift away from cramming historical facts into early school years. He said, “We included the real facts on the financing of the Indian railway and telegraph (and several wars, including putting down the 1857 Rebellion) because otherwise we give a wrong impression that these were great gifts by the colonial powers. They were no gifts and contributed to making poor Indians even poorer.”
He also clarified that his views reflect his personal opinion, not an official NCERT statement.
As Part 2 of the NCERT Class 8 Social Science 2025 textbook is still under development, there may still be room for further additions. However, based on current feedback from the textbook committee, it appears that Tipu Sultan, Haider Ali, and the Anglo-Mysore Wars are unlikely to be revisited in this cycle of curriculum updates.
For educators and students alike, this update highlights the ongoing debate between comprehensive history education versus thematic and interpretive approaches — a balancing act that will continue to shape future NCERT textbooks.
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