2.6 Poet-kings and politicians

FromThe History of India Podcast

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2.6 Poet-kings and politicians

FromThe History of India Podcast

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Length:

40 minutes

Released:

Feb 24, 2016

Format:

Podcast episode

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(www.historyofindiapodcast.com) India is being invaded by outsiders. But the rulers of its last empire are distracted by more sensual matters. As the invaders close in, we listen to the rulers and their people on matters of love and loss. And we track the progress of the invaders as they wash over the land.

Released:

Feb 24, 2016

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

A light weekly podcast covering the history of India, from 6th century B.C. Enjoying the podcast? Please consider donating to the Snehal Sidhu Memorial Fund (http://tinyurl.com/prkvwll)

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1.0 The apology of a bumbling historian: (www.historyofindiapodcast.in) Introduction to the podcast. What we will be talking about, where, and how I'll screw it up. Includes a favourite Indian story as part compensation. Updated Feb 2018. by The History of India Podcast
22 min listen
2.5 India and the Great Wall of China: () India is under attack. Tribes fleeing from the great wall of China pour into India. We watch the first invasions sweep in from the North West. How far did these alien people get? How alien were they? Listen, and find out. [This podcast is... by The History of India Podcast
35 min listen
1.A The legacy of foreign emperors: (www.historyofindiapodcast.com) The first special episode on matters away from the main storyline... by The History of India Podcast
37 min listen
1.7: The honesty of ambassadors: (www.historyofindiapodcast.com) This week we look at the tall tales about India told by three Gre... by The History of India Podcast
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1.1 The 16 great houses of ancient India: (www.historyofindiapodcast.com) A wander through the mahajanapadas who dominated northern India d... by The History of India Podcast
39 min listen
2.3 The Prince and the Greek: () An ancient Indian love poem leads us to the pinnacle of two great houses: the Shungas who inherited an Indian empire, and the Indo-Greeks. After their fateful meeting, we watch as both houses begin their steady decline, until at... by The History of India Podcast
36 min listen
1.F The Merchants of Magadha: () The guilds of ancient India. Trusted by townsfolk, feared by kings. This week, we find out how to join an ancient guild, and what to expect once you're a member. Then we take a voyage across Mauryan India with a member of a merchant... by The History of India Podcast
43 min listen
1.B The ignorance of foreign kings: (www.historyofindiapodcast.com) A bonus special episode on Alexander the Great's stampede through... by The History of India Podcast
31 min listen
1.8 Conscience without sorrow: (www.historyofindiapodcast.com) The first of three podcasts on the great emperor Ashoka. We meet ... by The History of India Podcast
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1.2 The Shrewdness of King Bimbisara: (www.historyofindiapodcast.com) The story of Bimbisara, ancient king of Magadha. He was a contemp... by The History of India Podcast
36 min listen
2 G Women, law and life: () If you were an ancient Indian woman, would you choose to be a nun or a wife? This episode has all you need to decide this thorny question, from the legal facts to words of wisdom from ancient Indian women themselves. Well ok, not all you... by The History of India Podcast
43 min listen
2.8 Kings and calendars: (www.historyofindiapodcast.com) Old tales tell of a king who threw out the invaders, full of cleverness and wisdom, a man so generous that he was always willing to sacrifice his own life to help one of his subjects. He founded his own calendar, which... by The History of India Podcast
55 min listen
1.5 The throne of the peacock: (www.historyofindiapodcast.com) This week, we witness the founding of the great Mauryan empire. I... by The History of India Podcast
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1.3 The Envy of Princes: (www.historyofindiapodcast.com) The downfall of Bimbisara king of Magadha. The rise of his son Aj... by The History of India Podcast
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2.0 The bumbling historian and his mad plan: () An introduction and apology for the series. What we'll be talking about, how I'll screw it up, and how a mysterious red liquor almost ruined ancient India. by The History of India Podcast
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1.E The Sayings of Seers: () In this episode, we look at how religion affected the life of the average ancient Indian.What rituals and sacrifices did an ancient Indian householder perform? What different religious views and ways of life did an ancient Indian have to choose... by The History of India Podcast
54 min listen
1.D The carving of society - a conversation: () We're joined by Prakhar Manas for a discussion of caste in ancient history, and it's effect on modern India. by The History of India Podcast
31 min listen
1.9 Virtue without sorrow: (). On the battlefield at Kalinga the victorious emperor Ashoka decided to follow his conscience, no matter what. This week we find out where Ashoka's conscience lead him. We about hear his messages to his people, carved in his famous... by The History of India Podcast
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1.D The carvings of society: () This week, we tackle the thorny issue of caste, and how important it was to day-to-day life in ancient India. by The History of India Podcast
48 min listen
1.10 Kingdom without sorrow: () Sovereignty is only possible with assistance; a single wheel cannot move alone. Ashoka the Great took this maxim to heart, and built a huge government machine to assist him. This week, Ashoka must struggle to avoid being crushed by the... by The History of India Podcast
47 min listen
1.6 The removal of thorns: (www.historyofindiapodcast.com) This week, we look at the cunning statesman Kautilya. He wrote a ... by The History of India Podcast
35 min listen
1.4 The treasure of low-born kings: (www.historyofindiapodcast.com) This week we breeze through three dynasties of kings in one jam-p... by The History of India Podcast
33 min listen
2.11 Kanishka and the city of flowers: (www.historyofindiapodcast.com) The great city of Pataliputra had been destroyed. In this episode, the city will be rebuilt. But as soon as it reappears on the world stage, it will attract the attention of one of the greatest... by The History of India Podcast
44 min listen
1.11 The end of an empire: () A generation after Ashoka's death his empire had vanished. This week, we meet some of the emperors desperately hanging on as their world decays around them. And we test the accusation that Ashoka's empire collapsed... by The History of India Podcast
49 min listen
2.12 Kanishka and friends: (www.historyofindiapodcast.com) Kanishka the Great has conquered India. This week, we get to know him intimately, by getting to know his friends: the doctor, the minister and the poet-monk. We hear their stories, how they influenced the great... by The History of India Podcast
40 min listen
2.7 The conqueror and his mother: (www.historyofindiapodcast.com) The Indian empires strike back. For too long, the Shaka invaders have dominated the land, and plundered its riches. This week, a new Indian king will take the throne. By force and guile he will... by The History of India Podcast
40 min listen
3.6 Soaked by gold: () The golden age of the Guptas is about to begin. A new emperor takes the throne in a wave of scandel: Chandragupta II. Despite his shaky start, he will soon be revealed as a talented ruler, a victorious warrior, and his deeds will be woven into the... by The History of India Podcast
38 min listen
1.C The three crowned kings of Tamilakam: (www.historyofindiapodcast.com) This week we travel down to the three great kingdoms of South India: the Cholas, the Pandyas and the Cheras. Sources are hard to find. We read them all and discover a unique culture with beautiful poetry and great cities. by The History of India Podcast
47 min listen
2.2 The Greeks and the Indian homeland: () Ancient Afghanistan: rich and fertile. Its Greek kings are powerful and ambitious enough to try to carve a new empire in India, cutting through the ruins of the old empire all the way to the walls of its grand capital city. Will... by The History of India Podcast
38 min listen
2.1 The kingslayer and his horses: () The story of the general who ended an empire. To consolidate his power, the general became a passionate supporter of the old-time religion. We look at the accusation that he persecuted the rival, Buddhist sect. And we learn how... by The History of India Podcast
31 min listen

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6.2 Tale of two princes: Dantidurga and Nandivarman: The Pallava Empire is sliding into anarchy. All its hopes are pinned on a twelve year old boy from Cambodia. We follow his winding path to power. Also in this episode: the origin story of a poet-saint, some brutal medieval punishment, and an elephant... by The History of India Podcast
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5.E By the dry heart of empire: What was life like in the heart of the Chaulkiya empire? How did they survive in such a dry environment? How was the city defended? In this episode, we chat with Dr Hemanth Kadambi about stone horse hurdles, his youthful misadventures, must-see places... by The History of India Podcast
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5.B By the whim of the master (part 2): (www.historyofindiapodcast.in) ***Warning: contains upsetting details.*** The second special episode on slavery. This week, we hear about the lives of female slaves. We meet slaves in Buddhist monasteries. And we meet a young woman being sold into... by The History of India Podcast
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5.23 Overtaken by the bogeyman: (www.historyofindiapodcast.in) This week, we meet some of the bogeymen of ancient India; a group among the most feared of the Barbarians. The mighty Kamboja horsemasters. And yet, these are real people. In this episode we hear the tales told... by The History of India Podcast
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5.22 By the back of the five great kings: (www.historyofindiapodcast.in) This is the week of small kings. The Pratihara empire has ruled for as long as anyone can remember. But a small king from the south will destroy the emperor's army and send him fleeing. And a small king from the north... by The History of India Podcast
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5.21 By half a metre: (www.historyofindiapodcast.in) This week, Mahendrapala extends his empire downstream, towards the sea. But nothing is what it seems: not the emperor, nor his empire, nor his conquest. All will be revealed only half a meter down. Also in this... by The History of India Podcast
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5.20 Assault by salt: (www.historyofindiapodcast.in) A journey through one of emperor Bhoja's lands. With the emperor far away in the Imperial city, we find out what life is like for the merchants and city folk under him. Also in this episode: a practical guide to salt... by The History of India Podcast
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5.19 Drawn by the sun: (www.historyofindiapodcast.in) In this episode, young king Bhoja will grow into his throne. He will draw together allies and subordinates and wait patiently. When the time is right he will strike at his ancestral enemies, defeating them, and achieving... by The History of India Podcast
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5.18 Drawn by greatness: (www.historyofindiapodcast.in) For too long the empire of the east has dominated North India. Bhoja, the descendant of the western emperors is determined to bring change. But he starts with almost nothing, for the once great western empire as been... by The History of India Podcast
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5.17 By the tip of the quivering sword: ( The victorious Palas build their empire. Poets gather in their courts. Kings flee before their armies. All seems well, but an old enemy is regathering strength. Also in this week's episode: religious rivalry told through a hymn about toenails, a pun... by The History of India Podcast
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5.16 By the setting of the eastern sun: () This week, the build up to the great battle continues. We join the navy of the East, as it brings infantry and elephants up the river. Then we launch into the battle itself, following the commander's choice of battle formation. This is the battle... by The History of India Podcast
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5.15 By the light of the western dawn: () This week, we witness the build up to a great battle of the age: the Pratihara king has brought his army from the east, thick with warhorses. The Pala king has brought his army from the west, loaded with mountainous elephants. They meet for battle... by The History of India Podcast
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5.14 By the help of a hundred scholars: () Emperor Dharmapala constructed an education system across his empire, so great it surpassed all that had come before. For half a millennium, it shaped Eastern India. This week, we go inside the system. We follow the great Buddhist teacher Atisha in... by The History of India Podcast
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5.13 By a graceful move of the eyebrows: (www.historyofindiapodcast.in) This week, we find out what happened to the great prize of North India: the Imperial city of Kanyakubja. Two dynasties: the Palas (protectors), and the Pratiharas (doorkeepers) have been fighting to gain control. In this... by The History of India Podcast
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5.12 Back by the withering sand: (www.historyofindiapodcast.in) We join the great Pratihara king Vatsaraja, at his lowest moment. With the whole of North India in his power, he is defeated and flees across the mountains into the great desert. We uncover the stories of the people and... by The History of India Podcast
42 min listen
5.11 On taking two umbrellas: (www.historyofindiapodcast.in) Everyone wants the imperial city of Kanyakubja lies at the center. The great Partihara king of the west wants to re-establish his family's image. The great Pala king of the west wants to become the first emperor from his... by The History of India Podcast
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5.10 On the way out: (www.historyofindiapodcast.in) The Umayyad armies go beyond al-Sind, trying to establish a new province in al-Hind proper. But their successes won't last. They will be driven back, twice. And shortly after, the entire Umayyad empire will collapse in... by The History of India Podcast
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5.9 On the way to Hind: (www.historyofindiapodcast.in) This week, a tale of bridge engineering, bloodthirsty generals, widowed queens, the first mosque in South Asia, and lots and lots of gold. We tell the story of how the Ummayid caliphate came to invade Sind. by The History of India Podcast
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5.8 On the door: (www.historyofindiapodcast.in) This week, the Rajputs arrive on the scene with the earliest of Rajput clans, the Pratiharas. But where did they come from? Did they see themselves as Rajputs? What did they do after they had emerged? The answers might... by The History of India Podcast
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5.7 How to prevent fish on fish crime: (www.historyofindiapodcast.in) Bengal's kings are dying daily. The land is in chaos. It's been this way for years. But, according to the legend, a man from the north will come and build a stable kingdom. This time, the legend is true. This episode, we... by The History of India Podcast
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2.6 Poet-kings and politicians

2.6 Poet-kings and politicians

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Titles in the series (100)

More Episodes from The History of India Podcast

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