A controversy has arisen over a map in the new NCERT Class 8 social science textbook that depicts parts of western Rajasthan, including Jaisalmer, as being within the Maratha Empire in 1759. Descendants of the former Jaisalmer royal family, along with others, have called the map “factually baseless” and “historically misleading,” arguing there’s no evidence of Maratha control over the region.
What the controversy is about
- Inclusion of Jaisalmer: The map shows Jaisalmer as part of the Maratha Empire, a claim rejected by the former royal family of Jaisalmer, who state there are no authentic historical sources to support this depiction.
- Allegations of historical distortion:
- Critics, including members of the former royal families and youth groups, have labeled the map “historically misleading” and an attempt to “tarnish the sacrifices, sovereignty, and valorous saga of our ancestors”.
- Omission of a disclaimer: NCERT acknowledged that a disclaimer about the approximate nature of historical borders, which was present in the Class 7 textbook, was mistakenly left out of the Class 8 textbook.
NCERT’s response and explanation
- Michel Danino, the chairperson of the NCERT’s curricular area group for social science, clarified that the map was based on previously published maps and was developed with expert consultation.
- Danino explained that the map reflected not only areas of direct Maratha rule but also those with tributary or political arrangements, which led to the expansion of the empire’s depicted boundaries.
- He admitted that a key disclaimer that the map’s borders were approximate had been mistakenly omitted from the Class 8 textbook, though it was present in the Class 7 book.
- NCERT constituted a high-level expert committee to review the feedback and the map’s accuracy. The council stated that if errors were found, a revised map would be prepared for future editions.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Consider the map depicting the Maratha Empire in the new NCERT Class 8 textbook (2025):
I. The map shows the Maratha Empire’s boundaries in 1759, just before the Third Battle of Panipat
II. The map controversially depicts regions such as Jaisalmer and parts of modern-day Haryana as being under Maratha rule
III. The map includes not only areas under direct Maratha control but also tributary states under their influence
Which of the above statements are correct?
a) I and II only
b) I and III only
c) III only
d) I, II and III
Answer: d
Explanation: Statement I is correct- The map is explicitly noted to show the Maratha Empire in 1759. This date is just two years before the decisive Third Battle of Panipat in 1761, which had a major impact on Maratha expansion. Statement II is correct- The core of the controversy is that the map includes regions like Jaisalmer and Bharatpur (in modern-day Haryana) under Maratha control, which is disputed by historians and former royal families. Statement III is correct- NCERT officials have clarified that the map was intended to show a broader sphere of influence, including tributary states that paid taxes or had political arrangements with the Marathas, not just directly ruled territories.
Current Affairs
Contemporary Issues
Subject Wise 
Essential Editorials 
