The Indian subcontinent is about the size of Europe and is way more diverse and complicated - but how much do we know about its violent past? The land of Gandhi is also the land of the war-elephant, of gunpowder-wielding infantry, and of nuclear weapons that destroy everything in their wake. In Yuddha, Anirudh Kanisetti (host of Echoes of India: A History Podcast) and Aditya Ramanathan explore the darker, blood-splattered side of India, beyond Bollywood and school textbooks. From the medieval invasions of Southeast Asia to the titanic clashes of the twentieth century, this is the military history of the subcontinent the way it was meant to be told. Tune in to new episodes on Wednesday every fortnight.
YUDDHA Delayed!
YUDDHA is going on a mid-season break as Anirudh and Aditya are struggling with a sudden invasion of responsibilities from their day jobs (and Anirudh's very exciting first book!) More in this brief episode.
YUDDHA is made possible thanks to the support of the Takshashila Institution and the Independent and Public Spirited Media Foundation.
Notes and sources will be available at https://www.anirudhkanisetti.com - sign up for updates!
You can follow Anirudh on Twitter @AKanisetti and Instagram @aniryuddha, @connectedhistories, or @cholabhaturaempire.
You can follow Aditya on Twitter @adityascripts or Instagram @adityaramanathan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12/1/2021 • 3 minutes, 29 seconds
YUDDHA Mid - Season Break
YUDDHA is going on a mid-season break as Anirudh and Aditya are struggling with a sudden invasion of responsibilities from their day jobs - we'll be back on December 1st! More in this brief episode.YUDDHA is made possible thanks to the support of the Takshashila Institution and the Independent and Public Spirited Media Foundation.Notes and sources will be available at https://www.anirudhkanisetti.com - sign up for updates!You can follow Anirudh on Twitter @AKanisetti and Instagram @aniryuddha, @connectedhistories, or @cholabhaturaempire.You can follow Aditya on Twitter @adityascripts or Instagram @adityaramanathan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11/3/2021 • 2 minutes, 49 seconds
Empire of Paper: Inside the Mughal War Machine
By the time of the Battle of Haldighati in 1576, the Mughals had consolidated their power over a large swathe of North India. Yet, the desire for further conquests never waned. As the Mughals transformed from a war band into an empire, their armies also mutated into gigantic earth-shaking beasts.Yet it required deft politics and a complex bureaucracy to build and maintain this massive war machine. The Mughals may have made war, but war in turn, made the Mughal state.YUDDHA is made possible thanks to the support of the Takshashila Institution and the Independent and Public Spirited Media Foundation.Notes and sources will be available at https://www.anirudhkanisetti.com - sign up for updates!You can follow Anirudh on Twitter @AKanisetti and Instagram @aniryuddha, @connectedhistories, or @cholabhaturaempire.You can follow Aditya on Twitter @adityascripts or Instagram @adityaramanathan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10/20/2021 • 48 minutes, 40 seconds
Akbar's Fury: How the Mughals Made an Empire
It is the unlikeliest of stories. In 1540, Humayun was out of luck and on the run, while Sher Shah was victorious. Barely fifteen years later, Sher Shah was dead in a freak accident and his empire was in chaos. The Mughals returned to the plains of Hindustan with a renewed fury. But it was Humayun’s brilliant young son, Akbar, that would bring fire and death to his enemies and create a world-changing empire. Check out our discussion on the mysterious Rajput warlord Silhadi here:https://takshashila.org.in/all-things-policy-the-other-rajputs-purbiya-warriors-in-16th-century-malwa/YUDDHA is made possible thanks to the support of the Takshashila Institution and the Independent and Public Spirited Media Foundation.Notes and sources will be available at https://www.anirudhkanisetti.com - sign up for updates!You can follow Anirudh on Twitter @AKanisetti and Instagram @aniryuddha, @connectedhistories, or @cholabhaturaempire.You can follow Aditya on Twitter @adityascripts or Instagram @adityaramanathan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10/6/2021 • 51 minutes, 26 seconds
Sher Shah Sur: The Outlaw Who Would Be Emperor
The establishment of the Mughal empire was by no means inevitable. In the 1530s and 40s, Farid, the grandson of a horse trader and daughter of an Afghan father and Rajput mother, would drive out Babur's heir, Humayun, and establish one of the most remarkable Indian polities: the Sur Empire. Join us as we explore his brilliant, ruthless career, witnessing how he innovated his way from humble beginnings to become the most powerful man in Hindustan: remembered today as Sher Shah.YUDDHA is made possible thanks to the support of the Takshashila Institution and the Independent and Public Spirited Media Foundation.Notes and sources will be available at https://www.anirudhkanisetti.com - sign up for updates!You can follow Anirudh on Twitter @AKanisetti and Instagram @aniryuddha, @connectedhistories, or @cholabhaturaempire.You can follow Aditya on Twitter @adityascripts or Instagram @adityaramanathan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9/22/2021 • 44 minutes, 19 seconds
Gunpowder and Blood: How Babur Won at Panipat
How did a small-time Central Asian warlord defeat the vast army of the Delhi Sultanate? Join us as we explore the turbulent, syncretic culture of North India in the 15th century, witness the growing ambitions of the Timurid prince Babur, and his finest hour at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526. YUDDHA is made possible thanks to the support of the Takshashila Institution and the Independent and Public Spirited Media Foundation.Notes and sources will be available at https://www.anirudhkanisetti.com - sign up for updates!You can follow Anirudh on Twitter @AKanisetti and Instagram @aniryuddha, @connectedhistories, or @cholabhaturaempire.You can follow Aditya on Twitter @adityascripts or Instagram @adityaramanathan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9/8/2021 • 47 minutes, 46 seconds
Heirs of Timur: The Renaissance of War and Culture
Season 2 of YUDDHA returns us to the turbulent world of the 16th century. Join us as we explore the social and military churn of the globe from Europe to Central Asia, and meet the ruthless, cultured warlords Timur and his descendant Babur. Together they will transform the history of India and the world. YUDDHA is made possible thanks to the support of the Takshashila Institution and the Independent and Public Spirited Media Foundation.Notes and sources will be available at https://www.anirudhkanisetti.com - sign up for updates!You can follow Anirudh on Twitter @AKanisetti and Instagram @aniryuddha, @connectedhistories, or @cholabhaturaempire.You can follow Aditya on Twitter @adityascripts or Instagram @adityaramanathan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
