The National Council of Educational Research and Training has released a new Class 9 Social Science textbook that gives detailed coverage to the history of the Sikh Gurus, including their persecution, martyrdom and the development of organised Sikh resistance during the Mughal period.
The textbook is titled Understanding Society: India and Beyond Part 2 and was released on September 29, 2026. It forms part of the revised Class 9 curriculum being introduced under the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023. The new textbook focuses on history, society, culture and different forms of resistance that shaped the Indian subcontinent.
One of the important chapters in the book is titled Resistance and Resilience. According to reports on the new textbook, the chapter examines the changing political and social environment between the 7th and 17th centuries and includes specific references to the experiences of Sikh Gurus under Mughal rule.
The textbook discusses Guru Arjan Dev, Guru Hargobind, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh while examining the relationship between the Mughal state and the Sikh community. It states that Mughal intervention in the affairs of the Sikh Gurus increased from the beginning of the 17th century as their social and cultural influence expanded.
The book specifically refers to the execution of Guru Arjan Dev during the reign of Mughal emperor Jahangir. The textbook connects the episode with allegations concerning Guru Arjan Dev’s alleged support for Jahangir’s rebellious son Khusrau Mirza and describes the event as an important turning point in Sikh history. The textbook further explains that the developments contributed to changes in the organisational and political outlook of the Sikh community.
Guru Hargobind’s history is also included in the chapter. The textbook refers to his detention by Jahangir at Gwalior Fort and records that Sikh followers gathered outside the fort to show their respect. The chapter also discusses Guru Hargobind’s establishment of the Akal Takht and explains the Sikh concept of miri-piri, which represents the relationship between spiritual and temporal authority.
Another major section focuses on Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru. The textbook records his execution in 1675 during the reign of Aurangzeb and presents his martyrdom as an important event in Indian and Sikh history. The chapter connects the experiences of the Sikh Gurus with the community’s subsequent emphasis on collective organisation, resilience and resistance.
The textbook also discusses Guru Gobind Singh and places the sacrifices of the Sikh Gurus within the broader development of Sikh identity. According to reports about the textbook, the book presents the courage and sacrifice of the Gurus as important elements in the development of Sikhism and explains how persecution and political pressure contributed to the emergence of organised resistance.
The chapter does not focus only on the Sikh experience. It places Sikh resistance alongside several other examples of resistance to political powers between 1000 and 1700 CE. Reports on the textbook say it also discusses resistance by Jat farmers, Rajput rulers, the Ahoms, Marathas and other regional powers. This broader approach is intended to examine different forms of resistance and resilience in Indian history.
The textbook reportedly describes two major Jat uprisings during the 17th century and discusses resistance by several groups against Mughal authority. It also refers to historical figures and events including Maharana Pratap’s resistance, the Ahom victory at the Battle of Saraighat and the resistance associated with rulers such as Rani Abbakka Chowta and Rudrama Devi.
The inclusion of Sikh history in greater detail in the new Class 9 Social Science textbook is part of a wider revision of school textbooks under the new curriculum framework. The revised material seeks to present historical developments through themes including resistance, cultural traditions, political changes and social transformation.
The new Class 9 Social Science textbook became available from September 29 through NCERT’s authorised channels. NCERT’s official textbook portal provides access to textbooks for Classes I to XII, including the latest Class 9 resources. Students, teachers and parents have been advised to refer to official NCERT editions rather than unofficial copies circulating online.
The detailed references to the Sikh Gurus, their martyrdoms and the development of Sikh resistance therefore form a significant part of the history content in the new Class 9 Social Science textbook. The chapter presents these developments within the wider historical context of political conflict, religious traditions, community organisation and resistance in the Indian subcontinent.
