184. The Buddhist Merlin

184. The Buddhist Merlin

While in the West the legends of King Arthur were being born, a Buddhist tantric magician of immense magical powers - Vajrabodhi - was enshrining himself as the Merlin of first India, and then China. Undeniably one of the most extraordinary characters of the 8th century, Vajrabodhi would play a crucial role in transporting Buddhism to the Chinese court, along with Indian scholarship. After being sent there on an important embassy by his cousin, a mighty Pallava king of Southern India, Vajrabodhi embarked upon a colourful odyssey to rival those of antiquity, meeting, as he went, a young boy who would later become his loyal companion and a powerful sorcerer in his own right; Amoghavajra. Together they were alleged to have sent rain dragons to cure droughts, and concocted spells or mantras capable of destroying the invading hordes of Islam and the Tibetans. What then is the truth of these exceptional monks and their purported “magic”? Did they really conquer rampaging armies and even master the elements? Join William and Anita as they discuss Vajrabodhi, the Buddhist magician of India, and his sorcerer’s apprentice. From wizards, spells, and rain dragons, to invading armies, and the secrets of the previously unexplainable Borobudur… To fill out the survey: survey.empirepoduk.com To buy William's book: https://coles-books.co.uk/the-golden-road-by-william-dalrymple-signed-edition Twitter: @Empirepoduk Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com Goalhangerpodcasts.com Assistant Producers: Anouska Lewis and Tabby Syrett Producer: Callum Hill Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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332. Bronze Age Apocalypse: Before The Collapse (Ep 1)

332. Bronze Age Apocalypse: Before The Collapse (Ep 1)

This is the beginning of the most dramatic imperial collapses in history. Why were Ancient civilisations so interconnected 3000 years ago? How did this interconnectedness lead to their downfall? Did p...

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331. The Iranian Revolution: Will The Shah Return To Iran? (Ep 2)

331. The Iranian Revolution: Will The Shah Return To Iran? (Ep 2)

In 1979, the people of Iran took to the streets to topple the Shah. This year they are back in the streets shouting “Long Live The Shah”. How did this happen? How did a country which so volcanically t...

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330. The Iranian Revolution: 1979 vs. 2026 (Ep 1)

330. The Iranian Revolution: 1979 vs. 2026 (Ep 1)

In recent weeks, protestors have swarmed the streets in Iran in defiance of the regime, and it feels as if the country is on the precipice of a transformative change. Yet these scenes feel familiar. I...

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329. Indian Uprising 1857: The British Raj is Born (Part 8)

329. Indian Uprising 1857: The British Raj is Born (Part 8)

How did Lucknow become the final battleground of the 1857 Uprising? Who was Begum Hazrat Mahal, and how did she hold together a rebellion against overwhelming odds? How did the 1857 Uprising lead to t...

29 Tammi 41min

328. Indian Uprising 1857: The Reign of Terror (Part 7)

328. Indian Uprising 1857: The Reign of Terror (Part 7)

How did the British finally break into Delhi during the 1857 Uprising? Why did a sudden solar eclipse change the fate of the siege overnight? Why is the British victory considered one of Delhi’s great...

27 Tammi 48min

327. Indian Uprising 1857: The British Strike Back (Part 6)

327. Indian Uprising 1857: The British Strike Back (Part 6)

How did the tide turn towards the end of 1857 as British reinforcements gathered to strike the hearts of the rebellion: Delhi and Lucknow? Who was the British Commander, John Nicholson, and why was he...

22 Tammi 48min

326. Indian Uprising 1857: India’s Joan of Arc – Rani of Jhansi (Part 5)

326. Indian Uprising 1857: India’s Joan of Arc – Rani of Jhansi (Part 5)

The warrior queen who fought the British on the battlefield, Rani of Jhansi –or Rani Lakshmibai– is still a hero in India, with comic books and Bollywood movies about her. But what’s the true history ...

20 Tammi 1h 3min

325. Indian Uprising 1857: The Siege of Lucknow (Part 4)

325. Indian Uprising 1857: The Siege of Lucknow (Part 4)

An entire city turns on the British and revolts in unison. 3000 East India Company soldiers and civilians in Lucknow are under siege in one compound, hiding in tunnels and surrounded by snipers. But w...

15 Tammi 54min

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