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The chapter also says the “valour and sacrifice” of the Sikh Gurus “for the cause of the faith” became defining features of Sikhism
The chapter from NCERT textbook.
The brutality of the Mughal state against Sikh Gurus, particularly Guru Arjan Dev, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh, has few comparisons in history and was deeply rooted in the “rigid religious and discriminatory practices”, the newly released Part 2 of the NCERT Class IX Social Science textbook says.
Additionally, the chapter also says the “valour and sacrifice” of the Sikh Gurus “for the cause of the faith” became defining features of Sikhism, while their martyrdom strengthened the conviction among Sikhs that persecution had to be met with “firm resistance and resilience”.
The book says the Mughal state began increasingly intervening in the affairs of the Sikh Gurus from the beginning of the 17th century as their socio-cultural influence grew. “The brutality of the Mughal state against the Sikh Gurus, particularly Guru Arjan Dev, Guru Tegh Bahadur, and the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, has few comparisons in history,” the textbook says.
“Due to the growing socio-cultural influence of the Sikh Gurus, the Mughal state increasingly intervened in their affairs from the beginning of the 17th century,” it says.
According to the textbook, Mughal emperor Jahangir ordered the execution of Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru, on the pretext of his alleged support to Jahangir’s rebellious son, Khusrau Mirza. It describes his martyrdom as a “significant turning point” in Sikh history and says it contributed to a gradual shift in the community’s organisational and political orientation.
The textbook also records the detention of Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh Guru, by Jahangir in Gwalior Fort, noting that Sikhs visited the fort in large numbers and paid their respects to the Guru from outside.
The textbook then links the martyrdoms to the emergence of organised resistance. “The martyrdom of the Sikh Gurus to uphold their faith and principles firmed the conviction of the Sikhs that persecution had to be met with firm resistance and resilience,” it says.
At A Glance
The NCERT Class IX Social Science textbook describes Mughal state brutality against Sikh Gurus.
The textbook states Mughal emperor Jahangir ordered the execution of Guru Arjan Dev.
The textbook records the detention of Guru Hargobind by Jahangir in Gwalior Fort.
The textbook details the resistance of Jat farmers against the Mughal Empire in the 17th century.
The revised Class IX Social Science textbook reached students months after the academic session began.
“Such persecution and political pressure could only be countered through collective organisation, and armed resistance as and when required,” it adds.
The chapter also discusses Guru Hargobind’s establishment of the Akal Takht as a seat of temporal authority and the concept of miri-piri, representing spiritual and worldly authority.
Alongside the Sikh resistance, the textbook for the first time also details the resistance of Jat farmers of the Ganga-Yamuna Doab against the Mughal Empire, documenting two major uprisings in the 17th century.
The book says the Jats faced heavy taxation and exploitation under Mughal rule and that these economic hardships, coupled with Aurangzeb’s religious policies, led to growing resentment.
The revised Class IX Social Science textbook has reached students months after the academic session began. Its delayed release had triggered concerns and protests from parents on social media over the non-availability of the new books while the academic session was already underway.
With ANI inputs
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Ask News18The newly released NCERT Class IX Social Science textbook states that the brutality of the Mughal state against Sikh Gurus, particularly Guru Arjan Dev, Guru Tegh Bahadur, and Guru Gobind Singh, has few comparisons in history and was rooted in rigid religious and discriminatory practices.
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Simran Babbar is a Senior Correspondent at CNN-News18, covering key developments in emerging sectors related to education and investigations. Through her reports, she brings significant updates from t…Read More
September 29, 2026, 17:36 IST
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