According to a new Class-6 NCERT social science textbook, India had its own prime meridian, called “madhya rekha,” which passed through Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh long before the Greenwich meridian was established. This textbook highlights Ujjain as a major center for astronomy, noting that the Ujjain meridian served as a reference in Indian astronomical texts.
The updated textbook also introduces several significant changes. It refers to the Harappan civilization as the “Indus-Sarasvati” or “Sindhu-Sarasvati” civilization, incorporating the “Sarasvati” river into the narrative. The river, now called the “Ghaggar-Hakra River,” is described as seasonal and was a crucial part of the Harappan civilization.
Moreover, the revised textbook removes references to caste-based discrimination and the exclusion of women and Shudras from Vedic studies. It describes various professions mentioned in the Vedas, such as agriculturists, weavers, and potters, without focusing on the caste system or varna divisions, unlike previous versions that detailed these aspects.
The new textbook, titled “Exploring Society India and Beyond,” merges content from the former history, geography, and civics books into a single resource. This streamlined approach emphasizes overarching themes and reduces detailed coverage of specific ancient Indian kingdoms, including Ashoka’s reign, and significant historical sites and artifacts. For example, detailed accounts of Ashoka’s empire, the Gupta dynasty, the Sanchi Stupa, and the Ajanta caves have been omitted. This change aims to provide a more integrated and simplified overview of Indian history and geography for younger students.
Source: PTI
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