Udaipur: Rajasthan’s Education Minister Madan Dilawar announced on Sunday that any school textbooks that glorify Mughal Emperor Akbar and refer to him as ‘great’ will be burnt.
He made these remarks during an event at the Vivekanand Auditorium of Mohanlal Sukhadia University in Udaipur. Dilawar strongly criticized any comparison between Maharana Pratap and Akbar, stating that such comparisons insult the pride of Rajasthan and the legacy of the Rajput warrior king.
Dilawar further stated, “Calling Akbar ‘great’ is an act of foolishness.” He described Akbar as the greatest enemy of the Mewar region and Rajasthan, accusing him of causing widespread deaths for personal gain.
The minister clarified that they have reviewed textbooks across all classes and have not yet found any material referring to Akbar as ‘great.’ However, he warned that if such content is discovered, all those books will be burnt.
Maharana Pratap, remembered as the protector of Mewar, is celebrated for his staunch resistance against the Mughal Empire, particularly in the Battle of Haldighati fought in 1576. This battle is regarded in Rajput history as a symbol of resistance and bravery.
During the Battle of Haldighati, Mughal forces were led by Akbar’s trusted general Man Singh I, while Maharana Pratap led the forces of Mewar. Although the Mughals gained battlefield control, they could not completely conquer Mewar. Maharana Pratap managed to escape and continued his resistance against Mughal rule, making him a legendary figure in Indian history.
This announcement has sparked significant political and social debate within Rajasthan.