Ithihasa India History Podcast
History Podcasts
Welcome to Ithihasa, an Indic History Podcast that explores India’s past. I will take you back in time to examine what I think has either been overlooked or misunderstood. I want to nudge People and make them appreciate our past. Want them to be surprised by the fact that the world today isn't much different from the past. And to explore it in a way that hopefully enlightens us. This is my humble attempt to make it easier for you, to learn India's past in small yet manageable chunks and come out of it with a basic understanding that will enable you to form a coherent opinion when confronted with conflicting narratives. India's past is littered with gracious amounts of intrigue, drama, tragedy and glory. I will get my hands dirty for you, by digging through the sands of time. And together we shall unearth and look at the fascinating fossils of India’s rich, painful and glorious past. This podcast will unfold in seasons. Each season will go in depth into different periods of India's history. We will kickoff the show with the first season on the mighty Vijayanagara Empire and follow it up other exciting eras and empires that have lasting impact on the India we know today. Understand how India interacted with rest of the world in our ancient past, how warfare evolved on the subcontinent, how its culture spread & how it infused outside influence. We will go where the history books in school and TRP driven News outlets rarely go. And in the process get in touch with our own civilizational roots and identity. Hopefully we shall discover what it truly means to be an Indian.
Location:
United States
Genres:
History Podcasts
Description:
Welcome to Ithihasa, an Indic History Podcast that explores India’s past. I will take you back in time to examine what I think has either been overlooked or misunderstood. I want to nudge People and make them appreciate our past. Want them to be surprised by the fact that the world today isn't much different from the past. And to explore it in a way that hopefully enlightens us. This is my humble attempt to make it easier for you, to learn India's past in small yet manageable chunks and come out of it with a basic understanding that will enable you to form a coherent opinion when confronted with conflicting narratives. India's past is littered with gracious amounts of intrigue, drama, tragedy and glory. I will get my hands dirty for you, by digging through the sands of time. And together we shall unearth and look at the fascinating fossils of India’s rich, painful and glorious past. This podcast will unfold in seasons. Each season will go in depth into different periods of India's history. We will kickoff the show with the first season on the mighty Vijayanagara Empire and follow it up other exciting eras and empires that have lasting impact on the India we know today. Understand how India interacted with rest of the world in our ancient past, how warfare evolved on the subcontinent, how its culture spread & how it infused outside influence. We will go where the history books in school and TRP driven News outlets rarely go. And in the process get in touch with our own civilizational roots and identity. Hopefully we shall discover what it truly means to be an Indian.
Twitter:
@IthihasaO
Language:
English
Episodes
Vijayanagara's Last Lion Roars - Venkatapati Raya II - Part 4
11/17/2023
The tension and strife in Venkata Raya's family life accelerated the fall of the Empire itself, and his relatives' personal affairs were a major factor in this.
The birth of a false heir was part of a cunning plan, and King Venkata Raya knew all about it.
He kept the secret, though, because he cared about Queen Venkatamba and did not want the scandal to get out.
Duration:00:27:07
Vijayanagara's Last Lion Roars - Venkatapati Raya II - Part 3
11/15/2023
Contrary to misconceptions, the Vijayanagara Empire did not crumble entirely after the Battle of Talikota in 1565.
Such beliefs are not only far from the truth but also result from false propaganda.
This Hindu Empire didn't collapse like a house of cards; it engaged in a fierce clash of civilizations and defended itself with unwavering determination.
Like its predecessors, it stood resolute against fanatical Deccan Sultanates, fighting until its last breath to preserve its existence and cherished way of life.
On the contrary, it's the Vijayanagara Empire that outlasts it's Deccan rivals when one looks at it's longevity and most importantly the former's cultural legacy and influence on the minds of millions of Hindus.
Venkata, in a formidable conflict against the Sultan of Bijapur, confronted his adversary with a massive army, comprising seven hundred thousand infantry, forty thousand cavalry, and five hundred elephants.
Duration:00:28:54
Vijayanagara's Last Lion Roars - Venkatapati Raya II - Part 2
11/14/2023
Before Venkata's reign, the Vijayanagara Empire had largely contented itself with defending its territories. Notably, Tirumala and later Ranga concentrated on safeguarding their domains from external threats. Ranga I, for instance, had taken action only to expel Muslims from Ahobilam and its surroundings.
However, Venkata II chose a different path. He inaugurated his rule as Emperor of Vijayanagara with an offensive campaign, a strategy shift that would ultimately prove to be a game-changer.
Duration:00:28:14
Vijayanagara's Last Lion Roars - Venkatapati Raya II - Part 1
11/14/2023
Imagine, if you will, a time when the grandeur of the Vijayanagara Empire, once an epitome of power and prosperity, was slowly waning. Even as the shadows of its own demise encroached around it, the empire started to cast its most brilliant and vibrant light, like a candle nearing its end.
The emperor Venkatapati Deva Raya II, whose legacy we are about to explore, ruled during these tumultuous times. He stood as the candle's final guardian, its flame dancing defiantly against the encroaching darkness. His reign would prove to be a beacon of hope, a testament to the enduring spirit of Vijayanagara, as it burned with an intensity that defied its imminent extinguishment.
Duration:00:24:22
Every Star Eventually Falls - Last Years & Fall of Sri Krishna Deva Raya
12/11/2022
The very mention of the downfall of Krishna Deva Raya might sound blasphemous for the romanticists of History and die-hard fans of him. Nevertheless, this fall was the logical conclusion of a meteoric rise.
After all, the fate and fortune of empires and emperors are at the mercy of the gravity of time. And the great Krishna Deva Raya was no exception.
The seeds of destruction of the greatest empires are usually sown during their rise itself, and they tend to be so small to even notice while they are happening that it's generally too late to do anything by the time damage is done.
Duration:00:26:59
Vijayanagara and Gajapati Series Finale: The Rise of Sri Krishna Deva Raya: Pt 6
3/12/2022
Saluva Thimmarasu's idea of forging letters from the 16 of Gajapati’s Mahapatras and making it seem like the vassals of Gajapati were actively conspiring with the Vijayanagara Emperor to betray Prataparudra on the day of the battle was a masterstroke.
Meanwhile, Subuddhi, the officer who had been sent by the Gajapati to keep him updated of all that was happening, learned that Vijayanagara officers were secretly proceeding toward the Gajapati’s camp with 16 boxes and he hurried to write up a message about this to warn Prataparudra.
This episode is the Vijayanagara-Gajapati War mini-series finale, culminating in the total domination of Sri Krishnadevaraya over the entire South after vanquishing his Hindu rival.
Duration:00:21:35
Vijayanagara and Gajapati Series: The Rise of Sri Krishna Deva Raya: Pt 5
3/12/2022
We had ended the last episode at a cliffhanger, a crucial juncture for Sri Krishnadevaraya and his army. The Great Raya’s blitzkrieg took him deep into the enemy Gajapati territory, only to realize that he and his army were trapped.
“Their strategy totally foils our plans,” he thought. “In fact, the whole campaign is quickly becoming a disaster! Damn! - this is what I get for making light of Thimmarasu’s advice”
Duration:00:24:28
Vijayanagara and Gajapati Series: The Rise of Sri Krishna Deva Raya: Pt 4
3/12/2022
Welcome back to Ithihasa Indic History Podcast!
This is the 1st episode of 2022 and the Episode 52 of the Season Vijayanagara.
Loyal Listeners who have been asking me, your wait is finally over.
Let us pick up where we left in December of 2021.
We had ended the previous episode with the conquest of the Udayagiri fortress by the Vijayanagara Army after a lengthy siege and fighting off the dogged resistance of the gallant forces of the Gajapati Army.
In this episode, we shall continue the military campaign of the Great Raya from where we left off in the last.
The fall of Udayagiri did not satisfy the Vijayanagara Emperor understandably.
Now that he had tasted success against his arch-rival Prataparudra, Krishna DevaRaya wanted to push the dagger even deeper.
Duration:00:21:51
Vijayanagara and Gajapati Series: The Rise of Sri Krishna Deva Raya: Pt 3
12/6/2021
This episode and the next will look closely at the campaigns of Sri Krishna Devaraya against the Orissa Gajapati’s scion, Prataparudra Deva and their intense personal rivalry that added fuel to the already simmering fire between these two Hindu powers.
Not many people realize that the aftermath of this long simmering war between these two great powers, was much more dramatic and in a way anticlimactic than what it is usually made out to be. The decline in the power of Orissan Gajapatis and the break up of it’s empire, practically begins with the ascension of Prataparudra to the throne and the rise of Sri Krishna Devaraya.
Duration:00:24:38
Vijayanagara and Gajapati Series: The Rise of Sri Krishna Deva Raya: Pt 1
10/18/2021
Krishna Deva Raya’s period of rule constitutes the glorious epoch in the history of the Vijayanagara empire, with back to back military victories scored on all sides, in quick succession, besides being the apex time in the history of arts and culture in the South.
The name Krishna Deva Raya, even till this day evokes the same response in the hearts and minds of millions of South Indians as much as it did in the 16th century. People loved him then and they love him now.
Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj, MahaRana Pratap and Krishna Deva Raya are some of the few rulers in Indian history who are adored and loved by millions of Indians.
These charismatic figures are adored and respected by every proud Hindu across the world, for everything that they did to uphold Dharma and protect this Sacred Land and Civilization which we call as Bharath.
In light of that, a mere cursory account of the beloved figure, Sri Krishna Deva Raya wouldn’t do justice to either to the podcast, this episode or even to this Great Legend.
In the Battle Of Raichur mini-series, we explored in depth the daring military exploits of Krishna Deva Raya in his Raichur campaign and the aftermath of it.
In this episode, we shall look at his beginnings and rise to the Lion throne of Vijayanagara.
Duration:00:22:56
Vijayanagara and Gajapati Series: The Rise of Sri Krishna Deva Raya: Pt 2
10/18/2021
Krishna Deva Raya’s period of rule constitutes the glorious epoch in the history of the Vijayanagara empire, with back to back military victories scored on all sides, in quick succession, besides being the apex time in the history of arts and culture in the South.
The name Krishna Deva Raya, even till this day evokes the same response in the hearts and minds of millions of South Indians as much as it did in the 16th century. People loved him then and they love him now.
In this episode we shall pick up from where we left in the last one. We shall look at the circumstances under which the young Krishna Raya ascended the throne and the military campaign that he undertook right after his coronation.
Duration:00:24:23
Vijayanagara and Gajapati Series: The Tuluva Coup D'etat : p6
9/12/2021
The 1st Emperor of the Saluva Dynasty, Saluva Narasimha died in about the year 1490 CE, without enjoying the power and position for long, leaving two minor sons behind him. Placing the kingdom under the charge of his trusted lieutenant, Tuluva Narasa Nayaka as a regent.
When Narasanayaka raised the eldest of the princes to the throne, Timmaraja opposes him in favour of the younger prince which results in a intense rivalry that creates deep fissures in the fabric of Vijayanagara polity. This rivalry was rooted in their personal ambitions which led to dissensions in the court of Vijayanagara, that was still recovering from the effects of misrule of the last Sangama rulers.
In this episode we will trace the implosion of the short lived Saluva Dynasty and the rise of Tuluva Dynasty.
Duration:00:21:06
Vijayanagara and Gajapati Series: Saluva The Eagle : p5
8/5/2021
The Sangamas were imploding due to a series of incompetent successors after the death of the Great Devaraya II.
The Empire was literally teetering at the edge and shrinking from all sides, while its enemies and opportunistic rebels reared their heads sensing the vulnerability of the Imperial Structure at the Capital.
And there was a dramatic civil war raging in the Gajapati Kingdom of Orissa, after the death of the powerful Gajapati, Kapilendra Deva.
In the midst of all this chaos, there was a figure in Vijayanagara who was growing stronger by the day in both political and military power; At the cost of the imperial glory of the weak emperor of Vijayanagara.
Duration:00:24:40
Vijayanagara and Gajapati Series: The Fall of Sangamas : p4
7/4/2021
The great Emperor Devaraya II had passed away, his inexperienced and not so talented successor Mallikarjuna Raya had ascended the throne. And the dark clouds of war were already hovering around Vijayanagara.
It’s arch rivals, the Bahamanis and Gajapatis were more than eager to commence a pincer move to finish it off with their opportunistic alliance.
Will they succeed in their plan? Will Mallikarjuna be able to hold against his rivals?
Duration:00:19:20
Vijayanagara and Gajapati Series: Devaraya I & II - Last Great Sangamas : p3
6/20/2021
Yet another war between the Vijayanagara and Bahamani had ended, but it was followed by a brutal famine throughout the Deccan and Karnataka that distressed the populations of both the kingdoms up until 1424 CE for two long years.
In spite of these setbacks, Vijayanagara soon recovered its strength, making Devaraya I and his successor Devaraya II's reigns memorable in the empire. The long years of peace that followed this war stirred the literary and religious talents of the people of the empire, as nothing else had done for half a century before.
After the death of Devaraya I, Devaraya II’s relations with the Bahamani kingdom however continued to be hostile.
Duration:00:18:29
Vijayanagara and Gajapati Series: DevaRaya's Revenge : p2
4/3/2021
The breathing room and crucial buffer that DevaRaya II’s reign provided to the Empire cannot be understated. His rule had prevented it from being eaten up by its rivals, the Gajapatis and Bahmanis, who were eagerly waiting to carve it up for themselves.
And it is exactly for this reason that I will be dedicating some time to the under appreciated reign of DevaRaya II. We had briefly touched his rise to power in the previous episode.
And before we look at the reign of Devaraya II, we need to first know some background of the events that preceded him. Most importantly, in this episode we shall briefly look at the reign of Devaraya I, the grandfather of Devaraya II.
The events that transpired during his reign had ripple effects for Devaraya II.
Duration:00:19:11
Vijayanagara and Gajapati Series: DevaRaya II vs KapilendraDeva : p1
2/26/2021
Welcome to Ithihasa, a Indic History Podcast and you are listening to Episode 42 of the Season Vijayanagara and the 1st full length episode of 2021. With this we resume our exploration of the Mighty Vijayanagara Empire’s rich history.
Today we will be embarking on yet another mini-series that will delve in depth into a very interesting chapter of both the Vijayanagara and Orissa histories. We will look into the infamous Vijayanagara-Gajapati Seven Year War and the entire background behind it.
How and why did two Hindu emperors and contemporaries of their time end up on the opposite side instead of joining forces against the Islamic Sultanate rivals?
Duration:00:28:36
Vijayanagara: Welcome Back To Karnataka Samrajya
2/13/2021
2020 has been an eventful year that most of us wish never happened in first place.
The economic and human devastation that transpired across the globe so rapidly due to this deadly pandemic; is a grim reminder to each one of us to not take our fragile life, peace, material luxuries and the semblance of order in our daily lives for granted.
So to all those asking me, when is the next episode or what it is about, I can assure you that it’s going to be very interesting. There is still a lot of ground to cover and many stories to be told.
We will be resuming the Season Vijayanagara in 2021 with an dramatic mini-series that will delve in depth into the rise of Sri Krishna DevaRaya and the epic showdown between the Gajapatis of Orissa and Vijayanagara.
There is going to be intense drama, action, intrigue that’s born out of the insatiable ambitions, greed of powerful men of that era for glory and power.
Like never before on any other Indian History Podcast, the Story of Vijayanagara will be unraveled on the Ithihasa Indic History Podcast. Whether you are a first-time listener, casual listener or a loyal listener, you will not be disappointed.
Duration:00:07:04
Vijayanagara: Nayankara System p3 - The Raya's Kumara Varkkam
12/28/2020
The inner tension in the Nayaka world was between the role of a Komara and Nayankara. To be a Komara meant that the Nayaka was a part of an inner circle of service elite. And to be a Nayankara partner implied having access to and share of political power along with the Rayas.
There was this simmering tension between the paths of mobility and loyalty and this resonated deeply during the period in question.
Duration:00:24:19
Vijayanagara: Nayankara System p2 - Saluva Thimma's Sleight Of Hand
12/20/2020
In a 3 part mini-series, we will see in depth how the Vijayanagara rulers innovated on the previous patterns of political and administrative instruments in the south, to build a robust framework to rule the ever expanding Vijayanagara Empire.
Nayamkaras were the political and economic instruments through which the Nayakas of Vijayanagara reworked the empire at multiple levels between the ruler and the realm; between Raya and Nayaka.
Between the ruler and the realm, nayamkara facilitated deeper penetration of the nayakas into the far corners of the empire. Local and trans-local temples, monasteries and professional collectives alike were now brought into the economic and political orbit of the empire.
Duration:00:31:19