The Delhi Sultanate has been an important chapter in Indian history. From Qutbuddin Aibak to Ibrahim Lodi, the Mamluk, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid and Lodi dynasties deeply influenced the politics, society and culture of North India. But now a controversy has arisen regarding the changes in PG History syllabus of Delhi University (DU). In the new syllabus prepared under the New Education Policy (NEP 2020), an important paper focused on Delhi Sultanate has been removed.
Which paper was removed?
“The Delhi Sultanate: Structures of Authority in Medieval North India (13th-14th century)” taught in the third semester of MA History is no longer included in the new syllabus. This paper focused on an in-depth understanding of the structure of power, political institutions and socio-cultural changes in medieval North India.
According to history experts, this PG level course was not just a general study of events, but developed an analytical understanding of power, polity and medieval society.
Not only Delhi Sultanate, many papers were removed
The change in syllabus has also affected other important subjects. Apart from “History of North India (1400-1550 CE)”, papers to Ancient India and Women's History are also being said to be out of the new syllabus. These include topics like “Gender and Women in Early India”, “Political Process and Structure of Polities in Ancient India” and “Religion and Society in Ancient Indian Literature”.
Questions raised on syllabus change
Academic Council member Professor Maya John has criticized this change and raised questions linking it to the academic autonomy of the History Department. He says that PG and UG level history courses cannot be compared, because in PG, more analytical and expert study of subjects is done. After the removal of Delhi Sultanate paper, the question is now arising whether the important parts of Indian history will be adequately represented in the new DU PG History Syllabus?
