The Story Isn’t Over: History from the Margins

Religion at school always felt too neat. Boxes. Definitions. “This is what Sikhs believe.” But real life is never that tidy.In this episode, I sit down with Professor Eleanor Nesbitt, Emeritus Professor of Religions and Education at the University of Warwick, co-founder of the Punjab Research Group and author of Sikhism: A Very Short Introduction, to explore what the textbooks miss.We talk about why lived religion rarely fits a single definition, and how Sikh, Hindu and Punjabi families often practice differently, even within the same household. We also discuss the limits and failures of GCSE-style Religious Education, and what Britain looked like after Empire during the first waves of migration.Professor Nesbitt reflects on what she learned while teaching in India in the 1970s, and on the emergence of Sikh Studies as an academic field in the UK. We also explore where academic research still struggles, why open debate matters, and the gaps that future scholars still need to fill.Along the way, she shares the story of how one pen friend changed the course of her life.

In this episode, I speak with Marieha Hussain about the story behind the Coconut Placard Case.We begin with her early life and identity as a Muslim South Asian woman in post-9/11 Britain, before turning to the protest that led to a police investigation, a criminal trial, and ultimately her acquittal.We unpack what really happened at the pro-Palestine march, and why a satirical placard featuring Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman triggered such a rapid police response.Marieha explains how an anonymous right-wing blog came to play a role in the case, and how the word “coconut”, widely understood within South Asian communities, was reframed by the state as a hate crime.Our conversation explores the tension between free speech and hate speech, the policing of protest in the UK, the emotional toll of being prosecuted, and the role community solidarity played throughout the trial.Marieha also reflects on what this case reveals about activism, racism, and state power, as well as the advice she would give to others considering speaking out.

What does it mean to make ancient music feel new again?In this episode of The Story Isn’t Over, Ramblings of a Sikh sits down with sitar maestro Jasdeep Singh Degun, a Leeds-born virtuoso reshaping the soundscape of British Indian classical music.From his early training within the NADA Yatra tradition to headlining the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, Jasdeep reflects on the tension between tradition and innovation, growing up British Asian, and the quiet confidence it takes to reimagine classical forms on your own terms.🎶 How do you honour centuries of raag while making it speak to a new generation?🎤 What happens when South Asian identity, classical training, and mainstream recognition collide?🌍 Why does Indian classical music deserve a central place in Britain’s cultural institutions?Whether you’re a musician, a cultural critic, or simply curious about what it takes to blend heritage with bold reinvention, this is a conversation not to miss.

In this episode I sit down with Shuranjeet Singh, founder of Taraki and one of the leading voices on Punjabi mental health in the UK.We have an open and grounded conversation about masculinity, youth, community trauma and why mainstream mental health systems often fail South Asian communities. Shuranjeet reflects on leaving a career at Oxford, the power of lived experience and how grassroots work can create forms of healing that institutions cannot.This episode explores stigma, identity and what meaningful, community led mental health support actually looks like. A thoughtful listen for anyone interested in mental health, South Asian experiences and culturally rooted approaches to care.

In this conversation with Harleen Singh — author of The Lost Heer — we dive into the forgotten voices of Punjabi women.From widowed rulers who stood against invaders and the British, to the folk songs, recipes and textiles that carried memory and resistance through colonial Punjab. Harleen Singh's work brings these overlooked stories back into the centre of South Asian history.The Lost Heer challenges how we think about gender, power and the past — and this episode gives you a glimpse of that powerful re-telling.

In 1945, the world celebrated Allied victory in World War II — but across Asia, the war didn’t end. It simply changed shape, sparking new battles for freedom and the end of empire.In this episode, historian Phil Craig joins Ramblings of a Sikh to discuss his new book, 1945: The Reckoning, the final volume in his acclaimed trilogy on the Second World War. Through the intertwined stories of five people — an Indian nationalist, a loyalist soldier, a nurse in famine-stricken Bengal, a doctor at Belsen, and a POW in Taiwan — Craig shows how “liberation” became a reckoning.Why did British generals re-arm Japanese troops in Vietnam?How did two Indian brothers, fighting on opposite sides, embody a nation at war with itself?And what does it mean to say victory betrayed millions?From the Bengal famine to the collapse of empire, this conversation explores how 1945 fractured families, toppled empires, and shaped the modern world we live in.📘 Watch till the end for a discussion on how the promises of freedom made in 1945 still echo in today’s geopolitics.

In this fascinating episode, we are joined by Professor Stephen Morillo, a renowned historian and leading expert on medieval warfare. Together, we explore the strategies, cultures, and justifications that shaped how wars were fought during the medieval era. From the clash of swords to the march of armies, Professor Morillo reveals how medieval warfare was influenced by cultural beliefs, subsistence methods, and geopolitical structures.This insightful discussion examines major cultural divides — such as the contrast between the nomadic horse cultures of the steppes and the sedentary agricultural societies — while unpacking the customs and rules that governed warfare across regions.If you are passionate about medieval history, military strategy, or the cultural forces that defined the way wars were waged, this is an episode you will not want to miss.

What if the Sikh Empire wasn’t born on the battlefield, but in the library? 📚In this teaser for our Road to Empire podcast with author Satnam Singh, we explore the intellectual and political foundations of the Khalsa before the rise of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. From the Anandpur court of Guru Gobind Singh to the literature of the Mughal and Sanskrit worlds, this conversation reveals how stories, ideas, and philosophies shaped Sikh ideas of sovereignty.We discuss how the Khalsa balanced rahit (discipline) and rajniti (politics), how translations from Persian and Sanskrit influenced Sikh thought, and why the Sikhs were fighting not just battles — but for an idea of Raj that empires could never destroy.

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Professor Brian Villmoare, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as we explore the grand narrative of the universe.Drawing from his book The Evolution of Everything: The Patterns and Causes of Big History, Professor Villmoare examines the interconnectedness of the cosmos, life, and human societies. This episode challenges the traditional view that history is shaped solely by great figures or singular ideas, instead highlighting the gradual transformations in technology, culture, and society that have woven the fabric of our existence.Discover how the evolution of the universe — from the Big Bang to the rise of human civilisation — has followed patterns that reveal the hidden forces shaping our world. If you are intrigued by the mysteries of the cosmos, life, and the story of humanity, this is a must-watch.

Join Sathnam Sanghera on a transformative journey to uncover the hidden truths of British imperialism — a controversial legacy that continues to shape global dynamics and modern society. Inspired by his acclaimed book EmpireWorld, Sanghera confronts the far-reaching consequences of imperialism, emphasizing the critical role of historical accountability, decolonization, and cross-cultural perspectives.In this powerful exploration, Sanghera delves into the darker aspects of the British Empire’s history, exposing its enduring impact on social justice, cultural identity, and ethnic narratives. Through a lens of decolonial thought and historical awareness, he offers a nuanced perspective on the empire’s influence on contemporary issues, including race relations, colonial legacies, and the ongoing fight for equity and justice.This thought-provoking video challenges viewers to rethink their understanding of imperialism, shedding light on often-overlooked stories and fostering crucial conversations about the importance of confronting the past to build a more equitable future. With unflinching honesty, Sanghera highlights the lasting impacts of colonialism, sparking insights into how we can embrace a more inclusive and accurate understanding of history.