By Admin 
NCERT has completely changed the way of explaining the colonial history of India in the new book of Social Sciences of class 8. Now this book clearly states that European colonial forces, especially the British, looted India’s wealth and economically weakened the country.
The new book also mentions that Britain’s industrial revolution was possible due to the money looted from India. The idea was earlier presented by the famous American historian Wil Durant, which is now included in the textbook. Apart from this, statistics of famous Indian economist Usha Patnaik have also been given, according to which between 1765 and 1938, Britain looted assets of about $ 45 trillion from India, which is about 13 times the UK’s 2023 GDP.
Exploitation in the name of development
It has also been clarified in the book that the rail, telegraph and other infrastructure that the British made, they were funded by taxes of Indians. The cost of British wars was recovered from Indians. These constructions have been shown as a symbol of “development” till now, but in fact it caused huge damage to the local industries of India and also ruined the traditional education system.
Changes in administration and education
It is said in the new book that the court and administration system implemented by the British was completely foreigners to the Indians, due to which the common people were cut off from this system. English education was implemented by eliminating traditional schools and madrasas, which led to a social division among the common people studying in the upper class and local languages in the society.
Maratha Empire gets a proper place
This time a special chapter has been added to the Maratha Empire. In this, Chhatrapati Shivaji is presented as a visionary and powerful ruler who rebuilt temples, promoted Indian languages and formed a strong Navy. Also, Ahilyabai Holkar is also depicted as a major ruler, who got many famous temples repaired.
Christian conversion was also an objective
The textbook also states that European colonists also aimed at converting Indians into Christianity. Due to colonialism, India lost its freedom, resources looted, traditional lifestyle broken and an attempt to impose foreign culture.
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