Why Is Chhatrapati Sambhaji Missing From Our HISTORY BOOKS While MUGHALS Are Glorified?

"The surest way to erase a civilization is not by destroying its people, but by erasing their history."Imagine flipping through your history textbook, reading grand tales of Mughal emperors—their conquests, their lavish courts, their so-called benevolence. But where is the story of those who resisted them, who bled for this land, and who stood unyielding in the face of oppression? Where is Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj? Why does his name not command the same reverence in our textbooks as those who invaded and ruled over us?

For generations, Indian students have been exposed to a curated version of history—one that disproportionately glorifies Mughal rulers while minimizing the legacy of indigenous warriors. This narrative, shaped by colonial historians and carried forward post-independence, has significantly influenced how we perceive our own past. And in this process, the story of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, a fearless warrior and scholar, has been deliberately sidelined.

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of the great Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was not just a warrior but also a polyglot, poet, and strategist. He ascended the throne after Shivaji’s passing in 1681 and spent every moment of his reign fighting against the relentless attacks of Aurangzeb’s Mughal army. Unlike what many textbooks suggest, Sambhaji did not merely inherit his father’s empire—he expanded and defended it with unmatched valor.

In 1689, after years of resistance, Sambhaji was captured by the Mughals. Aurangzeb, known for his brutal suppression of Hindu rulers, gave him a choice: convert to Islam or face a slow, excruciating death. Sambhaji, unwavering in his faith and loyalty to his land, chose the latter. For days, he was tortured—his eyes gouged out, his tongue cut, his skin torn apart—yet he refused to surrender. His defiance was not just for himself but for the dignity of his people and the sovereignty of his homeland.

And yet, how much of this do we find in our textbooks? A few lines, maybe a paragraph at most—meanwhile, the same books dedicate chapters to the architectural marvels and governance policies of the Mughals.

History is not just a collection of facts; it is a narrative that shapes a nation’s consciousness. What we are taught as children defines our perception of our past, and consequently, our identity. If a generation is repeatedly exposed to a history that places invaders on a pedestal while brushing aside indigenous heroes, it leads to a skewed understanding of our legacy.

This distortion of history did not happen overnight. British historians, during their rule, systematically downplayed the contributions of native leaders to justify colonial governance. Post-independence, while there were efforts to reclaim Indian history, the academia largely retained this structure. As a result, our textbooks continue to present a version of history where Mughal rulers like Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan are portrayed as benevolent kings, while warriors like Sambhaji, Maharana Pratap, and Lachit Borphukan receive only passing mentions.

This selective amnesia has consequences. Children grow up believing that India's history is one of being ruled rather than one of resistance. They see invaders as nation-builders and forget the true architects of our independence long before 1947.



Take a moment to reflect on the historical figures that dominate Indian school textbooks. Akbar is remembered as the great secular ruler; Shah Jahan as the architect of the Taj Mahal; Aurangzeb, though acknowledged as cruel, still appears as an efficient administrator.

But where is Sambhaji Maharaj’s story of ultimate sacrifice? Where are the tales of Rajput warriors who fought against the Mughals, or the Ahom kings who repelled repeated invasions? Where is the recognition of Hindu, Sikh, and tribal leaders who resisted foreign rule for centuries?

In glorifying invaders, we subconsciously condition young minds to admire them. The lack of exposure to native warriors means that their sacrifices remain unknown, their legacies uncelebrated, and their inspirations lost to time. A child reading history today may know about Akbar’s navaratnas but might never hear of Sambhaji’s Budhbhushanam, a book written in Sanskrit showcasing his intellectual depth.


Change is long overdue. Recent attempts to revise history textbooks, such as reducing the disproportionate focus on the Mughal era, have been met with controversy. However, this is not about erasing any part of history—it is about balancing it.

What India needs is a curriculum that does justice to its rich and diverse past. Our children must learn about:

By bringing these stories into the mainstream, we can foster a stronger national identity rooted in the knowledge that India was not just a land of conquests, but of resilience and defiance.


If a nation’s history is its soul, then ours needs to be reclaimed. The story of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and countless others like him must be told—not just in research papers or regional folklore, but in the textbooks that shape young minds.

We owe it to ourselves, to future generations, and most importantly, to the warriors who bled for this land, to ensure that they are remembered not as footnotes, but as the true architects of our legacy.

Because a nation that forgets its heroes is destined to lose its identity.