7 months ago
Assam to Rewrite History Textbooks
The Assam government has decided to change high school history books.
The Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, said there are mistakes about a warrior named Bagh Hazarika in the Battle of Saraighat.
He believes it was actually Miri Handique who fought against the Mughals.
A famous historian, Romila Thapar, warned that removing parts of history can make it confusing.
She said history should be taught as a continuous story, not in pieces.
The government's decision was announced at a youth festival in Assam.
Assam government to revise high school history textbooks.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma disputes Bagh Hazarika's role in the Battle of Saraighat.
Sarma claims Miri Handique, not Bagh Hazarika, fought against Mughals in Kamrup.
Historian Romila Thapar warns against removing historical periods from curricula.
Thapar argues that eliminating eras like the Mughal period distorts students' understanding of history.
- Who
- Assam government, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Historian Romila Thapar
- What
- Decision to rewrite history textbooks, dispute over Bagh Hazarika's role in the Battle of Saraighat
- Where
- Kareng Chapori, Assam
- When
- January 31, during the 10th Mising Youth Festival
- Why
- To correct perceived errors in historical accounts, particularly regarding the Battle of Saraighat
Key facts
- Battle
- Battle of Saraighat (1671)
- Key Figures
- Lachit Borphukan, Bagh Hazarika (Ismail Siddique), Miri Handique
- Government Action
- Initiate revision of high school history textbooks
- Historian's Warning
- Romila Thapar cautions against removing historical periods
- Event
- 10th Mising Youth Festival
- Location
- Kareng Chapori, Assam
- Date
- January 31
Quotes
Himanta Biswa Sarma
Chief Minister of Assam
“There was no Bagh Hazarika with Lachit Borphukan in the Battle of Saraighat. It was Mising leader Miri Handique who fought against the Mughals in Kamrup.”
assamtribune.com
“We have decided to rewrite history for high schools, and I have conveyed this to Education Minister Ranoj Pegu.”
assamtribune.com
Romila Thapar
Noted historian
“History is a continuous process. It is an evolution of people and cultures, of ways of behaviour and thinking. That continuity cannot be broken by arbitrarily removing dynasties or periods.”
assamtribune.com
“Throwing out the Mughals or any other dynasty breaks history into fragments. It makes no intellectual sense.”
assamtribune.com
Sources
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