The History of India Podcast

(www.historyofindiapodcast.com) 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 guild.

(www.historyofindiapodcast.com) 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 between? Download, and find out.

(www.historyofindiapodcast.com) We're joined by Prakhar Manas for a discussion of caste in ancient history, and it's effect on modern India.

(www.historyofindiapodcast.com) This week, we tackle the thorny issue of caste, and how important it was to day-to-day life in ancient India.

(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.

(www.historyofindiapodcast.com) 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 because he was more interested in being a good man than in being a good ruler.

(www.historyofindiapodcast.com) 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 wheels of his own machine.

(www.historyofindiapodcast.com). 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 edicts, and how they changed daily life for his people.

(www.historyofindiapodcast.com) The first of three podcasts on the great emperor Ashoka. We meet his wives, and hear of his path to power over the bodies of his brothers. We go right up until the defining moment of his life, on the battlefield at Kalinga.

(www.historyofindiapodcast.com) This week we look at the tall tales about India told by three Greek ambassadors to the courts of Mauryan emperors.

(www.historyofindiapodcast.com) This week, we look at the cunning statesman Kautilya. He wrote a book crammed full with cunning ideas on how to rule a kingdom. And he had personal experience backing up these ideas: together with his student he conquered a kingdom and founded an empire. If you want to learn about ruthless cunning from someone who has been there and done that, listen on.

(www.historyofindiapodcast.com) This week, we witness the founding of the great Mauryan empire. It will become unmatched in its size and power until the modern era. But it all starts with a young man, Chandragupta Maurya, his cunning teacher Kautilya, and their plot to overthrow a kingdom.

(www.historyofindiapodcast.com) The first special episode on matters away from the main storyline. In this episode we look at the Persian empire in India. Health warning: the second part of this episode contains strong political views. Coarse sentiments will be expressed, though not in coarse language. Please skip the second half if rants annoy you. I've added another, bonus podcast this week to c...

(www.historyofindiapodcast.com) A bonus special episode on Alexander the Great's stampede through North-West India. How he was ushered into India a conquering hero without a fight, and how his army massacred those who were strong enough to resist and harm him.

(www.historyofindiapodcast.com) This week we breeze through three dynasties of kings in one jam-packed episode. None of them end well. The dynasty of Bimbisara comes to an end in bloody infamy. The dynasty of Sushinga comes to an end in bloody betrayal. And the dynasty of of the nine Nanda comes to an end because of... well listen and find out!

(www.historyofindiapodcast.com) The downfall of Bimbisara king of Magadha. The rise of his son Ajatashatru to the throne, and two of his wars.

(www.historyofindiapodcast.com) The story of Bimbisara, ancient king of Magadha. He was a contemporary of the Buddha and Mahavira, and by cunning marriages and warfare doubled the size of Magadha and more than doubled its prestige.

(www.historyofindiapodcast.com) A wander through the mahajanapadas who dominated northern India during the 6th cenutury b.c. This is the world of Buddha and Mahavira.

(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.