NCERT Class 9 Textbook Reframes Medieval Temples and Adds Income‑Tax Lessons

NCERT has updated the social science syllabus to present temples as political and economic centres, with a new hands-on chapter on personal income tax for ninth graders.

Overview

The new book, which was released Tuesday, is Understanding Society: India and Beyond — Part 2 and completes NCERT’s Class 9 social science rollout that began with Part 1 in June.
The textbook presents temples from 1000–1700 CE as major landholders, employers and financial centres that could extend credit, collect local levies and support artisans.
It says rulers used temple patronage to claim political legitimacy by portraying themselves as deputies or representatives of deities, citing examples such as the Gajapati, Kachhwaha and Rajput cases.
The text records episodes of plunder and conversions from the 11th century and highlights later temple reconstruction projects as acts of political and religious assertion.
By adding a practical personal‑finance chapter that includes slab‑wise income‑tax worked examples, NCERT aims to teach civic duty and financial skills to ninth graders and shape how history and civic education are taught nationally.