Ep 253 - How One Man's Greed Shook India's Last Great Empire | Dr. Uday S Kulkarni (Author)

Bharatvaarta

In this episode of the Bharatvaarta podcast, we explore the rich tapestry of Maratha history with Dr. Uday S Kulkarni, a naval surgeon turned historian, discussing his latest book, 'Raghoba, The Assassination of Narayana Rao Peshwa.' The conversation reveals the challenges and triumphs of historical research, including accessing archives and overcoming biases. Dr. Uday S Kulkarni sheds light on significant events during the Maratha Empire, such as the Battle of Panipat and the first Anglo-Maratha War, while addressing topics like discrimination under Mughal rule and the strategic evolution of Maratha artillery. With reflections on unity, leadership, and cultural renaissance, this episode presents a comprehensive narrative on the impact and legacy of the Maratha Empire.

Buy the book: https://amzn.in/d/adSFe16

Topics:

00:00 Sneak peak

02:08 Introduction

04:04 Dr. Uday's Journey from Medicine to History

06:55 Importance of Maratha History

11:00 Process of writing history

16:40 Being an outsider to writing history

21:53 History and Politics

24:24 Cultural Renaissance During the Maratha Period

27:56 Unknown facets of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

30:04 Temple Restoration Efforts

31:30 Decline of the Maratha Empire

33:18 Shivaji Maharaj's Tactics and Nationalism

34:31 Significance of Narayanrao Peshwa’s Assassination

35:37 Battle of Panipat and Its Aftermath

39:34 Raghunath Rao's Ambitions and Conflicts

44:52 Role of Anandibai and the Ghardis

50:16 Consequences and Decline of the Maratha Empire

54:25 Reflections on Indian History and Unity

57:39 Future of Historical Narratives

01:00:48 Dr. Kulkarni’s Upcoming Work and Conclusion