Join historian Jagjeet Lally, an expert in early modern India, and comedian Nish Kumar for a witty dive into India's vibrant 18th century. They challenge the narrative of chaos following the Mughal decline, spotlighting the rise of powerful regional states like the Marathas and Sikhs. Discover the fascinating dynamics of trade led by the East India Company, the emergence of capitalism, and the evolving gender roles amidst cultural shifts. Their engaging banter makes exploring history both informative and fun!
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Late Formation Of The Sikh Empire
The Sikh Empire coalesced late in the century under Ranjit Singh, uniting military misls into a centralized state.
Its formation in 1799 shows late-18th-century state consolidation continuing into the 19th century.
insights INSIGHT
Europeans Enter Existing Trade Networks
European trading companies (British, Dutch, French, Danish) arrived into pre-existing Indian trade networks and sometimes fought proxy wars.
Company expansion intertwined private commerce with national rivalry, shaping Indian politics.
insights INSIGHT
India Was Pre-Connected Globally
India was already integrated into multi-directional global trade long before Europeans dominated.
Indian merchants and goods circulated across Central Asia, the Red Sea, East Africa and Southeast Asia.
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Greg Jenner is joined in early modern India by historian Dr Jagjeet Lally and comedian Nish Kumar to learn all about the subcontinent’s dynamic eighteenth century. From the sixteenth century, the dominant power in India was the Mughal Empire. According to the traditional narrative, when the Mughals began to decline in the eighteenth century, the subcontinent descended into political chaos, and European trading powers – most notably the British East India Company – swooped in to take advantage and (in their words) restore order. But can we trust this story? In this episode, we look at India’s long eighteenth century not as a period of chaos, but one of dynamic transformation and exciting developments. Taking in the rise of new powers including the Marathas, the Rajputs and the Sikh Empire, and looking at changes in the economy, global trade, artistic patronage and gender relations, we explore what India was really like at this time.
If you’re a fan of the history of globalisation, the connections between politics, economics and social relations, and debunking historical myths, you’ll love our episode on the long eighteenth century in India.
If you want to know more about the history of India, check out our episodes on the Mughals and Bollywood. And for more eighteenth-century history, there’s our episode on Black Georgian England.
You’re Dead To Me is the comedy podcast that takes history seriously. Every episode, Greg Jenner brings together the best names in history and comedy to learn and laugh about the past.
Hosted by: Greg Jenner
Research by: Clara Chamberlain
Written by: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Emma Nagouse, and Greg Jenner
Produced by: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow and Greg Jenner
Audio Producer: Steve Hankey
Production Coordinator: Gill Huggett
Senior Producer: Emma Nagouse
Executive Editor: Philip Sellars
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