129. Ashoka: The Great Buddhist Emperor of India

129. Ashoka: The Great Buddhist Emperor of India

Ruling in the 3rd century BC, Ashoka was one of India’s greatest ever rulers. Under his rule, the Mauryan Empire grew into the largest empire India had ever seen. Its capital, Pataliputra was a dazzling, glorious, cosmopolitan city that was eleven times larger than Athens. After a brutal conquest of the Kalinga kingdom, Ashoka suffered from intense guilt and turned to Buddhism as he now coveted peace. From then on, he was committed to spreading Buddhism not just throughout his kingdom, but across the world. Listen as William and Anita discuss Buddhism’s transformation from a regional religion to one that spans nations. For bonus episodes, ad-free listening, reading lists, book discounts, a weekly newsletter, and a chat community. Sign up at https://empirepod.supportingcast.fm/ Pre-order William's book below: UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Golden-Road-Ancient-India-Transformed/dp/140886441X India: https://www.amazon.in/dp/140886441X/ Australia: Available 17th September 2024 US: Available Spring 2025 Waterstones edition: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-golden-road/william-dalrymple/9781526681256 Twitter: @Empirepoduk Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com Goalhangerpodcasts.com Assistant Producer: Anouska Lewis Producer: Callum Hill Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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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...

5 Feb 37min

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...

3 Feb 33min

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 Jan 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 Jan 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 Jan 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 Jan 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 Jan 54min

324. Indian Uprising 1857: Massacre and Revenge in Kanpur (Part 3)

324. Indian Uprising 1857: Massacre and Revenge in Kanpur (Part 3)

In one of the darkest chapters of the 1857 uprising, brutal massacres are met with revenge brutal massacres as the rebellion reaches the East India Company garrison town of Kanpur or “Cawnpore”. Who w...

13 Jan 52min

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