A high-level committee constituted by the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has recommended changing ‘India’ in school textbooks to ‘Bharat’.

The committee of experts is entrusted with the task of revision of school curriculum.

The panel has, among the other set of recommendations, suggested that the term “ancient history” be replaced by “classical history” in school textbooks.

While these recommendations were put forth by the committee chairman C I Issac, NCERT chairman Dinesh Saklani said that a decision on this was pending.

“Bharat is an age-old name. The name Bharat has been used in ancient texts, such as Vishnu Purana, which is 7,000 years old,” Isaac told.

“Our failures are presently mentioned in the textbooks. But our victories over the Mughals and sultans are not,” said Isaac, who is also a member of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR).

“The British had divided Indian history into three phases — ancient, medieval and modern — showing India in darkness, unaware of scientific knowledge and progress. Therefore, we have suggested that the classical period of Indian history be taught in schools, along with medieval and modern periods,” he added.

The discussion around the use of the term Bharat has come into the fore since the opposition formed an alliance in the name of I.N.D.I.A and the G20 letter with a header ‘President of Bharat’ appeared instead of ‘President of India’ as is conventionally.

The committee has also recommended the introduction of Indian Knowledge Systems across subjects.

Inputs from PTI 

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