NCERT changes Class 7 history textbook, full story of Ghaznavi's 17 invasions now in new syllabus

NCERT has made a major change to the new Class 7 Social Science textbook by adding detailed accounts of Mahmud Ghaznavi, the destruction of Nalanda and Vikramshila, and medieval invasions.

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has made a major change to the new Class 7 Social Science textbook. Prepared for the new academic session 2026-27, this book rewrites several history chapters. The most significant change is the content related to Mahmud Ghaznavi, which until now was limited to a short paragraph, but in the new book, it has been included in detail in a full six-page section.

This chapter is titled "The Ghaznavi Invasions." It lists the 17 invasions Ghaznavi carried out on the Indian subcontinent. The attacks on the temples of Mathura and Kannauj, the destruction of the famous Somnath Temple in Gujarat, and the removal of the Shivalinga from there are also clearly described. Previous books only briefly mentioned these events, but now students will receive a full account of why these attacks occurred and their impact.

Information on the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple

In the new book, students will learn when and by whom the Somnath Temple was rebuilt. The book also explains why the entire cost of this reconstruction was borne by donations from the public. Some questions related to this section have also been posed for students so that they not only read history but also understand it.

The horrors of Ghaznavi's invasions are also included.

The book also describes how a large number of civilians were killed in Ghaznavi's invasions. Prisoners were enslaved, and children were sold in slave markets in Central Asia. Based on historical sources such as Al-Utbi and Al-Biruni, Ghaznavi is described as a powerful, but extremely cruel and ruthless commander who targeted Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and several Islamic groups.

The book also includes a cautionary message.

A box before the section on Ghaznavi provides a cautionary message to students. It states that historical accounts often focus too much on wars and conflicts, while paying less on peaceful times and cultural achievements. This message was added to help students understand history from a balanced perspective.

New Content on Ghori and Khilji

The second chapter, "Turning Tides: 11th and 12th Centuries," includes new information on the campaigns of Muhammad Ghori, Qutb-ud-din Aibak, and Bakhtiyar Khilji. Previously, these events were described in general, but now this section is more detailed.

Special Focus on the Destruction of Nalanda and Vikramshila

This book includes a very detailed account of the destruction of Nalanda and Vikramshila universities. This section was not included in the previous edition. The new book describes the mass slaughter of monks, and the universities' vast libraries were burned for months. Historians believe this was one of the major reasons for the decline of Buddhism in India.

The Arab invasions and the history of Sindh have also been added. Chapters covering the 6th to 10th centuries include new sections on the Huns and Arabs' invasions. Muhammad bin Qasim's Sindh campaign has been described as a religious duty, based on 13th-century Persian sources. The context of historical terms like "kafir" has also been explained to avoid confusion among students.