Unconventionals Punjabi Podcast Unconventionals

In Episode #25, we delve into Alexander’s final conquests, from the iconic Battle of Issus to the strategic sieges of Tyre and Gaza. We explore his enigmatic encounters with  an Oracle, the pivotal Battle of Gaugamela, and the dramatic murder of Darius III & Bessus. Witness Alexander's triumph at the Battle of Hydaspes against Porus and debate around it. Also, covering his legendary return through the harsh Gedrosian Desert, and the lingering question: was he a tyrant or a hero? Finally, we confront the mysterious circumstances surrounding Alexander's untimely death in 323 BC.

Timestamps

00:00 - Previously covered
02:26 - Scorched Earth Policy
05:47 - Battle of Issus (333 BC)
14:48 - Sieze of Tyre
19:14 - Sieze of Gaza
21:19 - Entering Egypt
21:47 - Oracle Of Ammon
24:47 - Power Hungry?
27:28 - Defeat of Sparta
29:17 - Battle of Gaugamela (331 BC)
41:21 - Burning of Persepolis
46:24 - Murder of Darius |||
47:15 - Mutiny among Macedonians
49:44 - Alexander’s Character
51:29 - Bessus Killed
52:32 - Sogdian Rocks & Roxane
56:36 - Battle of Hydaspes/Jhelum (326 BC)
01:04:29 - Did Porus Win?
01:14:50 - Army Withdrawal 
01:15:36 - Gedrosian Desert
01:18:35 - Reaching Babylon & Aftermath 
01:22:20 - Alexander’s Death (323 BC)
01:23:21 - Cultural Stories
01:23:58 - Tyrant or Hero?
01:26:31 - Genghis Khan vs Alexander

In Episode #24, Step into the ancient world of Macedonia, nearly 2300 years ago, exploring King Philip II's transformative reign alongside Greece, Sparta and other reigns. Discover the Hellenic League's intricacies, Philip's military reforms like the phalanx formation and sarissa spear, and his wife Olympias's influential role and Greek Gods. Dive into Alexander the Great's upbringing under Aristotle, the dramatic events surrounding Philip II's assassination, and Alexander's swift ascension to power. Unravel the logistics of Alexander's army, pivotal battles like Granicus, and legendary moments such as the Gordian Knot.

00:00 - Intro
03:10 - Sources
05:11 - Early Macedonia
11:43 - Philip || & Regional Disputes
15:47 - Hellenic League
17:38 - Philip ||’s Military Reforms
19:24 - Phalanx & Oblique Order
25:34 - Sarissa & Wedge Formation
30:40 - Hoplite
31:19 - Alexander’s Early age
36:33 - League of Corinth
38:52 - Family Feuds
41:51 - Philip || Assissination
45:46 - Olympias & Greek Gods
46:41 - Greek Heros & Troy
48:35 - Alexander, Heir to Throne
50:56 - Securing neighbouring regions
56:00 - Alexander’s Army Logistics
59:56 - Entering Asia Minor
01:05:47 - Battle Of Granicus (334 BC)
01:14:13 - Coastal Conquests & Naval Fleets
01:15:15 - Gordian Knot
01:16:02 - Upcoming Battles

In Episode #23, We explore Flat Earth theory, from the historical insights of Eratosthenes and Samuel Rowbotham to the psychological phenomena of confirmation bias and cognitive dissonance, we unpack the complexities surrounding beliefs about our planet's shape. Furthermore, we explore intriguing connections to conspiracy theories, including Anunnaki lore, flat earth models. 

IN DEPTH

What is Flat Earth? - Origin - Eratosthenes - Confirmation bias - Cognitive dissonance - Coriolis Effect - Samuel Rowbotham writing Zetetic Astronomy - Azimuthal equidistant projections - Anunnaki Lore - Operation paperclip - NASA - Aviation Industry - Conspiracy theories - Zeta Reticuli

In our latest episode #22, we delve into Kartar Singh Sarabha's life and his role in India's independence struggle with the Ghadar Party. From his upbringing in Punjab to forming the Ghadar Party in California, we uncover Sarabha's journey. Despite facing hardships, he ran the Ghadar newspaper and planned a revolt against British rule during World War I. Sarabha's arrest and execution in 1915 marked the end of his life, but his legacy of courage continues to inspire us.
IN DEPTH:
Kartar Singh Sarabha schooling, personality (1896 to 1912) - His trip to California - Racism - Berkeley University - Meeting Ghadari Baabe, Baba Sohan Singh Bhakna, Lala Hardayal, Jwala singh Ji and many others - Ghadar Party and its Plans - Sarabha running Ghadar Newspaper - Sarabha learning to fly Aeroplane - Komagata Maru/Budge Budge incident(April 1914) - World War 1(1914) - Ghadar Party planning for mutiny against British government during WW1 - Spy William Hopkinson - Michael O’ Dwyer - Sarabha Homecoming (1914)- Saraba being backbone of Party - Mishriwala Pull Incident (27 November, 1914) - Hijacking Military Camps - Spy Kirpal Singh - Arrest of Sarabha at Sargodha (March 2, 1915) - Court Trial/Death Sentence  - His Legacy and Inspiration.

We dive into the mysteries of the paranormal in our latest episode #21. From historical perspectives on witchcraft to modern-day investigations into sleep paralysis, we cover it all. Join us as we discuss multiple personality disorder, hysteria, Sigmund Freud's influence, famous artworks like Henry Fuseli's "The Nightmare," and the science behind phenomena like ghosts and grief hallucinations. We'll also examine cases such as the Indianapolis case and the Dybbuk Box, alongside scientific studies by researchers like Dr. Giulio Rognini, offering both skepticism and wonder in our exploration of the unexplained.

IN DEPTH:
The Indianapolis case (Latoya Ammons case), Houska Castle, Dybbuk Box, grief hallucinations, Christopher French study, Dr. Giulio Rognini's study of robots creating feelings of ghostly presence, multiple personality disorder, hysteria, paranormal phenomena during the Renaissance and Middle Ages, Sigmund Freud's theories, sleep paralysis, Eugene Asrinsky, stages of sleep, Henry Fuseli's "The Nightmare," infrasounds, Vic Tandy, spiritualism, the Fox sisters, power of suggestion, Michael O'Mahony, ghosts, debunking, scientific explanations of the unexplained, witchcraft, Reginald Scot's "Discoverie of Witchcraft" book, David Blaine, and the Salem Witch Trial.

In this episode #20, embark on a journey into the life and mind of Leonardo da Vinci, a Polymath. We delve deep into his iconic paintings such as the enigmatic "Mona Lisa" and the monumental "Last Supper," and many others, uncovering the talent behind each stroke. We unravel da Vinci's multifaceted brilliance, from his mastery of engineering and human anatomy to his revolutionary insights into astronomy, sculpting, and weapon creation and many more things. Explore his techniques, his insatiable curiosity documented in his notes, and his use of mirror scripts and divine proportions. Through the lens of the Renaissance era, we examine da Vinci's early years and the profound lessons we can glean from his unparalleled legacy.

00:00 - Renaissance Era
04:09 - Early Age
08:27 - Polymath
09:36 - Mirror Script
12:23 - His Work
25:19 - Golden Ratio
29:19 - Famous Paintings
45:40 - Ahead of his Time
47:10 - Codex Leicester
49:07 - Bronze Horse
51:58 - Da Vinci Code/Conspiracies 
55:07 - Identifying his work
01:07:29 - Lessons