Arjun Dev (historian)

Arjun Dev (2 November 1938 – 29 March 2020) was an Indian historian and educationist. He was associated with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) throughout his career. He wrote several books for NCERT on modern and contemporary India and on other uncertain countries in collaboration with Indira. One of his prominent books titled History of the World: From the Late 19th to the Early 20th Century was discontinued by the NCERT during the National Democratic Alliance's government. It was later republished by Orient Blackswan in 2002.^[1]

He also contributed in book writings for school children while working for NCERT, however some of his books address communal controversies while some book cover modern and scientific ideology.^[1]

Early life and education[]

He was born on 12 November 1938 in Layyah, West Punjab (in modern-day Pakistan). He received his early schooling in Ambala^[2] and later in 1959, he attended Kirori Mal College where he did Master of Arts in history.^[3] He also attended Delhi University. He was married to Indira Arjun Dev.^[2]

Career[]

He also served as a Member Secretary at the on textbook evaluation. Under his leadership, a detailed report was produced before the committee between 1993 and 1994. The report addressed communal violence, Hindutva and hatred towards the minorities which was being circulated through school textbooks. He later collaborated with the Indian Council of Historical Research after he retired from the NCERT. He produced his later work covering the period from an uncertain date to 1947. However, his another publication edited by professor Sucheta Mahajan, covering 1941 colonial India remained unpublished despite several requests submitted to the government.^[1]

References[]

Further readings[]

• Chandrababu, Divya (4 February 2006). "Offensive parts in textbook to be removed". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 11 February 2021.