A controversy has erupted over a map in the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) Class 8 social science book depicting parts of Rajasthan under the Maratha Empire of 1759. Former royal families of Rajasthan have registered strong objections, terming it a distortion of historical facts. Union Minister from Rajasthan, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, has also met Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to demand corrections in the textbook.
Union Minister Seeks Corrections Based on Historical Evidence
Shekhawat said, “We have discussed the entire issue, and I have submitted some historical facts to him as well. Earlier, during the Parliament session, I discussed the issue with the education minister, and a committee of historians was formed. I am confident that historians will look into these facts, and soon corrections will be made in the textbook.” He added that there is, and will be, full respect for the truth and the public sentiment associated with it.
Details of the Disputed Map
The issue relates to a map in the third chapter of NCERT's Class 8 social science book Exploring Society: India and Beyond. The map shows the Maratha Empire extending from Kolhapur to Cuttack and north to Peshawar. In this depiction, major princely states of Rajasthan — including Mewar, Jaisalmer, Bundi, Marwar, and Jaipur — are shown under the Maratha Empire.
Royal Families Term Map “Factually Incorrect”
Several erstwhile royal families, including BJP MP from Rajsamand Mahima Kumari and her MLA husband Vishwaraj Singh, both members of the former royal family of Mewar, have condemned the depiction, calling it “factually incorrect, misleading, and agenda-driven.”
Social Media Outcry Over Historical Accuracy
The issue was highlighted by Jaisalmer’s erstwhile royal family member Chaitanya Raj Singh in a social media post. Singh termed the representation “historically misleading, factually incorrect, and seriously objectionable.” He said such unverified and historically unsubstantiated information not only raises serious questions about the credibility of institutions like NCERT but also hurts the sentiments of people and undermines the region’s proud history.
