Lakhs of high school students studying in the state remain clueless of their own history as the subject has been kept out of the SSC syllabi for more than 20 years. Historians and scholars say that with no traces of the history of the Deccan in Social Studies textbooks, the exclusion reflects the bias and apathy of the authorities.
Despite receiving nearly 300 requests for revising textbooks and for including the history of the Deccan, Andhra Pradesh State Council of Education Research and Training (APSCERT) officials haven’t relented and instead blame government lethargy for leaving textbooks largely unrevised for more than 10 years.
While the Qutub Shahi dynasty has been completely ignored, the formation of the Hyderabad state finds only a passing reference in the Social Studies textbook of Class VII. Pointing to regional and communal bias and political forces for the exclusion of the medieval history of the Deccan, academics point out that officials are unwilling to positively bring to the fore the merits and contributions of rulers of the Qutub Shahi and Asaf Jahi dynasties. Describing these dynasties as forces which modernised the Deccan, they say that the image of these sultans has wrongly been portrayed as power-hungry aristocratic tyrants who oppressed the poor and crushed the weak. An objective and democratic reinterpretation is required, they say.
Professor Bhangya Bhukya, associate professor, department of history, Osmania University notes, “The narration of medieval history in textbooks has only been that of North India while the Deccan remains completely excluded. Also, a strong Hindu component is seen in history textbooks. Sectarianism is also a reason for exclusion.” He said the unprecedented contribution of the Qutub Shahi and Asaf Jahis in the fields of agriculture, irrigation and education and their modernisation, should be highlighted.
Salma Farooqui, associate professor of history, Manuu, says, “The history of the country and region are interlinked. It is unfortunate that the five sultanates of the Deccan find little or no place in the textbooks.”
The APSCERT has gone on the defensive. A source at APSCERT on the condition of anonymity said that the government is to be blamed for the delay. However, K Raghu, a professor at APSCERT, says, “We have received 300 requests, a chunk of which pertain to the inclusion of the Deccani history. We have put together a two-member consultant team from NCERT to look into the revision of syllabus and to bring it in line with the NCERT model.”
Courtesy: TOI