Karnataka: Tipu Sultan to be taught through assignments in reduced syllabus

BENGALURU: The reduced syllabus for the Karnataka State Board schools have been uploaded on the website of Karnataka Text Book Society (KTBS) on Monday. The syllabus has been cut short by 30% and concised to fit into 120 working days as reported by the Times of India last week.
Interestingly, in the History chapter of Class 7, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan will be taught through assignments and are not assigned separate class. PPTs will be made to introduce the subjects. The portion is in Chapter 5 -- Wodeyars of Mysuru. In Class 10, in chapter 4 detailing the opposition to British rule in Karnataka, these portions along with Halagali Bedas and Kittur Chenamma-Rayanna are taught through chart preparation.
“We have not deleted Tipu Sultan or Hyder Ali. These changes were made by subject experts. We do not interfere in their work. Neither have we given any special instructions. They change it according to the priority of the topics. After all, 220 working days have been shortened to 120 days,” said Made Gowda, director, KTBS.
It may be recalled that a huge controversy had erupted in Karnataka after the BJP government announced that it will remove the contents on Tipu Sultan. Following widespread criticism, the government formed a committee which suggested that it should be retained.
Many of the topics that are being repeated in other grades are taken off. Christianity and Islam are dropped in class 6 as they are taught in class 9. Among the deleted portions are Rani Abbakka devi, Ballari Siddamma and Umabai Kundapura from the list of women freedom fighters for want of time.
Also among the deleted portions in chapter 1 are Vijayanagar empire and achievements of Shivaji is briefly summarised in class 7 textbook. Pallavas of Kanchi and Cholas of Tanjore also have been omitted in class 8.