Best Ramjee Chandran Podcasts (2024)

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The Chalukyas Part VIII: 654-681 AD -The Rise Of Vikramaditya And The Sunset On The Empire 22:35

3h ago22:35

22:35

Ramjee Chandran explores the life of Vikramaditya I, the Chalukya ruler who successfully restored his dynasty after the devastating defeat of Pulakesin II. Discover his strategies, challenges, and the lasting impact of his reign on the Deccan region. Witness the resurgence of the Chalukya empire under Vikramaditya's leadership. We gratefully acknow…

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The Chalukyas Part VII: 622-634 AD - The Price of Ambition- Pulakesin’s Tragic Fate 25:56

1h ago25:56

25:56

Discover the tragic downfall of Pulakesin II, the once-mighty ruler of the Chalukya empire. Join Ramjee Chandran as he dives into the complex factors that contributed to his demise, including external threats, internal conflicts, and strategic miscalculations. Was it a case of too much ambition? A case of pride going before a fall? We gratefully ac…

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The Chalukyas Part VI: 620-622 AD Pulakesin vs Harsha-The Battle Of Narmada 24:20

6h ago24:20

24:20

Ramjee Chandran delves into the epic confrontation between Pulakesin II and Harshavardhana. Explore the political landscape of the 7th century as these powerful rulers battle for supremacy. Discover the outcome of the Battle of Narmada and its lasting impact on the subcontinent. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Prestige Group, that make…

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The Chalukyas Part V: 610-617 AD - Pulakesin II Stamps Out The Opposition 21:59

3d ago21:59

21:59

Ramjee Chandran delves into the critical years following Pulakesin II's ascension to the Chalukya throne. Witness the young king's ruthless efficiency as he quells rebellions, defeats rivals, and expands the empire's borders. From the battlefields of Elpattu Simbighe to the diplomatic maneuvers that secured his reign, this episode explores the stra…

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The Chalukyas Part IV: 610 AD Pulakesin II - The Lion Ascends 21:44

8d ago21:44

21:44

Join Ramjee Chandran as he delves into the dramatic life of Pulakesin II. Witness his rise to power, reclaiming the Chalukya throne from his usurping uncle after the epic battle of Elpattu Simbighe. Explore the political landscape of the Deccan and the challenges Pulakesin faced in solidifying his reign. Discover the foundations laid for the Chaluk…

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The Chalukyas Part III 597-610 AD: Hubris and Fratricide - The Rise and Fall of Mangalesha 26:15

18d ago26:15

26:15

Join Ramjee Chandran as he delves into the complex reign of Mangalesha, brother and successor to the Chalukya king Kirtivarman I. Witness Mangalesha's expansion of the Chalukyan empire through naval conquests and strategic alliances. However, his ambition and desire for power led to a tragic fratricide, paving the way for the rise of the legendary …

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The Chalukyas Part II 566-596AD: Pulakesin Started a Kingdom. Kiritivarman Built An Empire 26:26

27d ago26:26

26:26

In this episode of History of Bangalore, join host Ramjee Chandran as he delves into the reign of Kirtivarman I, the son of Pulakesin I, the founder of the Chalukya dynasty. We explore how Kirtivarman solidified his father's ambitions, consolidating power and expanding the Chalukyan territory. Discover tales of his conquests, the strategic importan…

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Chalukyas to Rashtrakutas Part I: 500-550AD Jayasimha to Pulakesi I—The Rise Of A Dynasty 24:25

1M ago24:25

24:25

This episode of History of Bangalore delves into the enigmatic origins of the Chalukya dynasty. Host Ramjee Chandran explores theories ranging from local leadership to divine descent, and witness their rise to power under Pulakesin I. Discover the significance of Vatapi, the barbaric Ashwamedhayaga horse sacrifice, and how the Chalukyas challenged …

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The Ganga Dynasty Part VI 788-812: Sivamara II, The Battle of Navasari and The Rise Of The Rashtrakutas 25:32

1M ago25:32

25:32

In this episode of History of Bangalore Ramjee Chandran delves into the complex political landscape following the reign of Ganga king Sripurusha. Witness the rise of Dantidurga, the ambitious leader of the Rashtrakutas, and a clash of empires as the Umayyad Caliphate attempts to expand into India. We explore the pivotal Battle of Navasari and the b…

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The Ganga Dynasty Part V: 725—788AD Sripurusha: Victories, Alliances, and the Rise of New Threats 26:23

2M ago26:23

26:23

This episode of The History of Bangalore explores the reign of King Sripurusha, a defining era for the Ganga Dynasty. We delve into his military triumphs, including the Battle of Vilande, and the strategic use of alliances. Discover how Sripurusha navigated the changing political landscape, facing off against the Pallavas and witnessing the rise of…

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The Gangas Part IV 535-725AD And Now The Battles Begin! 27:21

2M ago27:21

27:21

Episode 11 of The History of Bangalore delves into the Gangas' transition from a peaceful kingdom to a battle-hardened force. We explore their military structure, alliances with the Chalukyas, and the bloody conflicts that defined this era. Discover the victories at Vilande and the changing dynamics between the Gangas, Pallavas, and Chalukyas. This…

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The Gangas Part III 550-650 AD: Why Do We Know So Little About Durvinita? 25:29

3M ago25:29

25:29

This episode dives into the reign of Durvinita, a lesser-known Ganga king. Despite his prowess in battle, poetry, and statesmanship, Durvinita's story remains shrouded in mystery. We explore his fight for the throne, his contribution to Kannada literature, and the Ganga dynasty's shift under his rule. Join us to learn about this fascinating and mul…

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Ganga Dynasty Part II 350-550 AD: Madhava I to Durvinita 26:18

3M ago26:18

26:18

Part 2 of The History of Bangalore explores the consolidation of the Ganga dynasty. Meet a succession of fascinating Ganga kings, each with their own strategic alliances and unwavering commitment to scholarship. Witness the rise of the empire, the shift of the capital to Talakad, and the captivating story of the Orekodu village granted to a victori…

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Ganga Dynasty-Part I 350 AD: The Indomitable Dynasty That Built A Part Of Bangalore 29:00

3M ago29:00

29:00

Join Ramjee Chandran on The History of Bangalore as we delve into the enigmatic Gangas. Uncover the conflicting theories about their origins and explore the influence of a Jain sage on their rise to power. We examine the expansion of the Ganga kingdom, Gangavadi, and its significance for the development of Bangalore. Stay tuned for part two, where …

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Kadamba Dynasty 350-540 AD: The Brahmin Boy From Banavasi Who Became a King 26:34

3M ago26:34

26:34

Dive deeper into the south Deccan with Ramjee Chandran on The History Of Bangalore! This episode explores the fascinating story of Mayurashman, a Brahmin who defied tradition and became a warrior king, establishing the Kadamba dynasty. We delve into the historical inscription that details his remarkable journey and the rise of this influential king…

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How The Deccan Kings Got Rich. Beyond The Gold Coins From Rome 26:28

3M ago26:28

26:28

This episode of The History of Bangalore explores the trade routes that fueled the prosperity of the South Deccan dynasties. Host Ramjee Chandran embarks on a journey, uncovering how spices, silks, and precious stones flowed through the region. We'll delve into the fascinating tale of a shipwrecked sailor who opened the path to Roman trade, and how…

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The Battles For Bangalore 30:56

4M ago30:56

30:56

This episode delves into Bangalore's war-torn past, uncovering the stories of two epic battles: Hebbal and Tumbepadi. Host Ramjee Chandran guides us through ancient inscriptions and historical accounts. We meet Kittaya, the valiant warrior who defended Hebbal from a Rastrakuta attack in the 8th century. We then journey to Tumbepadi (present-day Tum…

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The Curse Of Ammanamma - The Lost City Of Begur 29:51

4M ago29:51

29:51

Begur, a suburb of Bangalore, boasts a rich history that predates the city itself. This episode dives deep into Begur's past, uncovering its significance as a center of administration, religion, and military power. Explore the fascinating tale of Ammannamma, a woman who challenged societal norms, and learn about Begur's role in the power struggles …

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How Bangalore Got Its Name 28:32

4M ago28:32

28:32

Forget the folklore about boiled beans. This episode dives into the historical quest to uncover the true origin of Bangalore's name. We'll explore a fascinating inscription stone that rewrote the story, debunking the charming legend of King Veera Ballala. Join host Ramjee Chandran as he examines various theories, from "city of bodyguards" to "city …

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How We Discovered The History Of Bangalore 30:20

4M ago30:20

30:20

Ever wondered how Bangalore's rich history came to light? This episode dives into the fascinating world of epigraphy, the study of inscriptions on stone. We'll explore how these ancient records, deciphered by scholar Benjamin Lewis Rice, revealed a forgotten past filled with battles, trade, and the lives of long-gone civilizations. Join host Ramjee…

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How Kempe Gowda's Ancestors Came To Bangalore 29:40

4M ago29:40

29:40

This episode explores the captivating story of the migration of Kempe Gowda's ancestors. We journey back to the 13th century and witness their decision to embark on a westward migration from Kanchipuram. Host Ramjee Chandran narrates their path westward, including a legendary river crossing that marked a turning point in their quest for a new life.…

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The History Of Bangalore Trailer 1:57

5M ago1:57

1:57

Hello, and welcome to The History Of Bangalore. I am your host Ramjee Chandran, and I invite you to join me in discovering the story of this fascinating city. Life in Bangalore like anywhere else begins in pre-history. Archaeological finds like tools, cave paintings, obelisks are all typical of the time of hunters and gatherers. In later years—when…

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Celestial by Abhay K And 10 Indian Languages by Karthik Venkatesh 43:43

6M ago43:43

43:43

Send us a text In this episode of The Literary City, we embark on a journey with two distinguished guests—each bringing a unique perspective to our exploration of literature and language. Abhay K, a poet-diplomat, and the author of "Celestial," a poetic masterpiece comprising 100 couplets that intricately weave the enchanting tales of the 88 conste…

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The Literary Life Of Ramachandra Guha 47:47

7M ago47:47

47:47

Send us a text My guest today is a titan of Indian history, Ramachandra Guha. He is known for his monumental works on Gandhi and Indian history, but today we're taking a detour into the realm of literature. We'll be diving into his latest book, "The Cooking Of Books," a slice-of-life memoir that offers a poignant glimpse into his relationship with …

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The Lighthouse Family: A Compelling Novel From The Turkish Ambassador 41:24

6M ago41:24

41:24

Send us a Text Message. My guest today, is an author from Turkiye, Firat Sunel. He is a career diplomat. He is currently the Turkish Ambassador to India. Firat is a demonstrably fascinating novelist. His latest novel, “The Lighthouse Family”, is a wonderful example of storytelling, of craft and of everything literary. I venture to say without quali…

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Churchill And India Fighting Retreat With Historian Walter Reid 43:48

9M ago43:48

43:48

Send us a text You know how some people just seem to have that star quality? Winston Churchill, he was one of those. No matter how many books, documentaries you may have imbibed—or, speaking of imbibed, tales you may have heard of his brandy-infused mornings, there's always an insatiable appetite for more and more Churchill. His wit, his wisdom, an…

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A Disquiet In The Queen Of All Nations With Abhijit Sengupta 40:39

9M ago40:39

40:39

Send us a text In what is meant to be his quiet and reflective corridor of retirement, my guest today, Abhijit Sengupta grapples with a disquiet that lingers. A former senior IAS officer and therefore, you might say, a custodian of order and democracy, a lifetime of service to the nation has clearly left him with a profound sense of duty that refus…

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The Secret Of More With Tejaswini Apte-Rahm 33:42

10M ago33:42

33:42

Send us a text The essence of historical fiction is telling stories set in a particular period of time. They transport us to a different place, offering insights into the past while exploring themes that are relatable across generations. In the craft of historical fiction, authors take creative liberties with places, events, and characters, using t…

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Mani Shankar Aiyar And The Memoirs Of A Very Literary Maverick 52:59

10M ago52:59

52:59

Send us a text My guest today is the remarkable Mani Shankar Aiyar. If you haven’t heard of him, let’s simply admit that you’ve been living under a rock. If you've been anywhere near the worlds of diplomacy, politics, or literature, you will know of him in detail but let me sum up his remarkable journey as succinctly as I can. Mani Shankar Aiyar jo…

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The Art Of The Thriller And The American Boyfriend With Ivy Ngeow 39:37

10M ago39:37

39:37

Send us a text In an essay, published in a 1964 edition of The Times Literary Supplement, V S Naipaul wrote: "The language was ours, to use as we pleased. The literature that came with it was therefore of peculiar authority, but this literature was like an alien mythology. There was, for instance, Wordsworth’s notorious poem about the daffodil. A p…

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What Happens When The Big Man Passes On? After Messiah With Aakar Patel 50:23

11M ago50:23

50:23

Send us a text Most of us do not colour code our threat levels. But nations do. Following 9/11, the Homeland Security Advisory System in America in 2002 came up with the warning system that we all know and love today in our TV shows—green, blue, yellow, orange and red, depending, obviously, on the severity of the threat. Government officials plan a…

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Reason And Hope In A Dark Time With History's Angel And Anjum Hasan 45:20

11M ago45:20

45:20

Send us a text Good literature can help us navigate our own emotions and motivations, and it helps us see the world through the eyes of the writer. The best literature touches our hearts and our minds. It triggers our emotions, and makes us think critically about the world around us, by challenging our assumptions and consequently, expanding our un…

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Prof Ganesh Devy - The Man Who Discovered Over 700 Languages In India 49:09

12M ago49:09

49:09

Send us a text As a curious and casual reader of linguistics, one of the first things I learned is that there is no monolithic object called a single language. Languages are like a living organism, they grow and sometimes they are said to die, and sometimes, like humans, they disappear into a bureaucracy. Age and origins of language are not straigh…

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Tree And Serpent With John Guy Curator At The Met In New York 38:14

1y ago38:14

38:14

Send us a text As part of Siddhartha’s awakening, he became aware of a spiritual energy in nature where trees had souls, birds had wisdom, and flowers bloomed no matter what the season. And snakes had the power of protection. And then there was all manner of mythical and hybrid creature contributing to the magical art and literature of Buddhism. Of…

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Ahmed Naji Discovers Literature In An Egyptian Prison - The Story In Rotten Evidence 43:38

1y ago43:38

43:38

Send us a text Today I‘m excited to be speaking with Ahmed Naji, a writer who spent two years in prison in Egypt for writing what the authorities judged to be objectionable material. But while Ahmed Naji was in prison, he discovered literature and through that, himself. It’s an amazing story of a person who finds magic and hope in the unlikely envi…

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Centres Of Power - In The Den With Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi And Chinmay Gharekhan 40:18

1y ago40:18

40:18

Send us a text Why were the 1980s pivotal in so many respects? Think the giddy days of glasnost and perestroika, the end of the cold war—of the whole Soviet Union in fact, liberalisation and globalisation, GATT and open borders, the assassination of Indira Gandhi, the rise of Rajiv Gandhi—who stepped on the gas and pushed the country towards a more…

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With Tenzin Dickie And The Defiance Of Tibetan Literature In The Bardo 35:54

1y ago35:54

35:54

Send us a text A few weeks ago, I was reading LitHub, one of the many literary magazines I enjoy greatly, and I found an essay that caught my immediate fancy. It is titled, “Literature in the Bardo: Tenzin Dickie on the Past, Present, and Future of the Tibetan Essay”. Not only was I captivated by her prose but importantly, it opened a window to the…

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Godfrey Pereira And The Insane Story Of An English Smuggler In Bombay 36:50

1y ago36:50

36:50

Send us a text This is the incredible but true story of an Englishman—a dockworker in Bombay in the 1940s, who became a smuggler around the time of Independence. Not far offshore from the Ferry Wharf in Mumbai is a small island. It’s only some 100 metres out by boat, and you can see it from Ferry Wharf. It’s called Cross Island. You can see Cross I…

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A Tumbleweed In Shakespeare & Company - Jeremy Mercer 41:22

1y ago41:22

41:22

Send us a text When George Whitman, in 1951, established a bookstore he wanted it to be more than a literary sanctuary for book lovers. He turned it into a sanctuary for writers seeking inspiration. The bookshop — as any devotee of books or, really, any of my listeners would have guessed — is the legendary Shakespeare & Company in the heart of Pari…

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Aamina Ahmad And The Return Of Faraz Ali 37:00

1+ y ago37:00

37:00

Send us a text Authors have for a long time used literary expressions of anguish as a powerful tool to connect with readers. They may use language and symbolic references to nuance the emotions associated with it, but whatever their approach, they look to inspire emotions that deliver that gut punch. My guest today, Aamina Ahmad clearly knows how t…

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John Keane And The Shortest History Of Democracy 40:38

1+ y ago40:38

40:38

Send us a text There are many who believe that the cradle of democracy was Greece. But if anything, Greece may lay claim to the etymology of the word democracy, but not to democracy itself. Whence then? The short answer by many historians is that the first evidence of democracy was in the Syrian-Mesopotamian region (Mesopotamia would be a large reg…

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The Insatiable Feminism Of The Fabulous Shobhaa De 39:12

1+ y ago39:12

39:12

Send us a text That was my guest today, the incomparable Shobhaa De. Shobhaa is one of the most famous writers in India and her reputation has travelled everywhere, but it behooves me to talk about the realpolitik of Shobhaa De’s literature. Let me tell you why Shobhaa De is so significant to English writing in India. Not only was her great success…

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Nilanjana Roy And The Literature Of The Black River 34:41

1+ y ago34:41

34:41

Send us a text Nilanjana Roy is the girl who, as a child, ate books — in fact, she was known to have devoured them whole. This is obviously a reference to her book The Girl Who Ate Books, a paean to writing, writers and other such pursuit. Nilanjana is, most recently, author of the novel, Black River and she is my guest on The Literary City and we …

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Jeet Thayil And The Epic Of Names Of The Women 47:01

1+ y ago47:01

47:01

Send us a text In the beginning of the episode, you will hear my guest Jeet Thayil read from his book, Names Of The Women — women whose paths crossed with Christ, and who, it is said, stayed by him during the crucifixion. And after. I have been fortunate to read so many books since I started hosting this podcast. Each book is as wonderful and as co…

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The Compelling Prose of Lynda Rutledge And West With Giraffes 38:47

1+ y ago38:47

38:47

Send us a text It is said that you don’t rescue dogs. They rescue you. This saying reflects the connection we can have with our pets. Especially dogs, who are said to have had a relationship with humans for thousands of years. When we adopt a dog, we think we're giving them a new lease on life, but in reality, they often give us so much more in ret…

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The World–A Family History With Simon Sebag Montefiore 47:09

1+ y ago47:09

47:09

Send us a text This interview was recorded live at Blossom Book House, Bangalore. Many years ago I saw a TV commercial that stuck with me. It showed a montage—sepia tinted portraits of older couples, with rather interesting last names: Alois and Klara Hitler Beso Jughashvili and Ekaterine Geladze (Josef Stalin’s parents) Andruta and Marie Ceausescu…

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Karen Anand - The Culinary And Literary Adventures Of The Masala Memsahib 43:02

1+ y ago43:02

43:02

Send us a text There’s something primal about watching food shows on TV. Or any food show. Even restaurants that have a glass pane through which you can watch the chefs in the kitchen doing their thing. It engages your attention while they ham it up. No that’s not a pun. The business of someone setting about chopping up ingredients and turning them…

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To Hell And Back With Barkha Dutt 39:41

1+ y ago39:41

39:41

Send us a text When the government exempted media from the lockdown, logically, this was to ensure that the media could do its job—which was to bring information and news to the people who were sequestered in their homes. My guest today did just that. She is Barkha Dutt, one of India’s best known journalists. Barkha decided that she was going to br…

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The Compelling Book Of Bihari Literature With A Poet-Diplomat Abhay K 38:12

2y ago38:12

38:12

Send us a text The ability to write well used to be a necessary qualification for high office. Whether prose or poetry, literature was important as a tool of communication. It all makes sense. The more skilled you are in the medium of instruction, the better the instruction. The highest thinkers of the realms were always great writers. The founding…

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The Amazing Reign Of Raja Raja Chola With Kamini Dandapani 39:35

2y ago39:35

39:35

Send us a text There’s much interest of late about the Chola empire. For many reasons. The reason that looms large is the recent blockbuster movie, Ponniyin Selvan, which, is all about the most famous of the Cholas, Raja Raja. The Cholas were one of the longest running empires in history. The earliest historic references to the Cholas dates back to…

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