NCERT’s new class nine social science textbook says many Indian kings and princes received swords from goddesses like Kali, Durga, and Bhavani. The textbook says this happened to help them resist invasions from the seventh century onwards.
The book is called “Understanding Society: India and Beyond – Part 2.” Its first part came out in June. The new chapter is titled “Resistance and Resilience.” It talks about a long line of invasions into the Indian subcontinent since the seventh century.
The chapter gives some examples. It says Annamaraja, the ruler of Bastar, got his sword from the goddess Manikyadevi, also known as Danteshvari. It says Kumara Kampana of Vijayanagara used a goddess-given sword against Sultanate forces at Madurai. It also says Shivaji is believed to have received a sword from the goddess Tulja Bhavani. The chapter links these stories to a long tradition of goddess worship in warfare.
According to the chapter, these invasions were driven by both territorial expansion and religious motives. The book also covers how Indian rulers and communities pushed back against Arab, Turkish, Mughal, and European forces. It claims that Mughal brutality against Sikh gurus has few parallels in history.
NCERT chief Dinesh Saklani explained the thinking behind the book. He said social science learning at this stage should build analytical skills. He said it should encourage critical thinking and help students take part confidently in civic life. He said the textbook was designed with this goal in mind.
The claim about goddess-given swords has sparked debate. Some people see it as myth replacing historical fact. They worry this could hurt rational thinking. Others say the book is simply recording old beliefs and traditions. The debate has also taken a political turn, with sharp disagreements over how history should be taught.
(Source: The Times of India)
