Empire

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Empire
THE EMPIRE CLUB

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How do empires rise? Why do they fall? And how have they shaped the world around us today? William Dalrymple and Anita Anand explore the stories, personalities and events of empire over the course of history.

  1. 12 HR AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    230. Britain’s Last Colony: Trump, Brexit, and Russia-Ukraine (Ep 2)

    The future of the Chagos Islands hangs in the balance as world leaders debate how really owns the islands and who should be allowed to live there. Since the 1970s, the evicted Chagossian people have been using legal channels to fight their expulsion from their Indian Ocean homes, challenging Britain's claim to its last colony. Led by Olivier Bancoult, a Chagossian activist expelled from Peros Banhos in the 1960s, hundreds of people have been campaigning to be granted the right to return to their land. Despite winning their case in October 2024, the election of US President Donald Trump has thrown the status of the Chagos Islands again into jeopardy. So, as the weeks roll on since Trump's inauguration, the Chagossian people are asking: when will Britain let us go home? Listen as William and Anita are once again joined by barrister, writer and academic, Philippe Sands, to discuss the uncertain future of the Chagos Islands. Twitter: @Empirepoduk Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com Goalhangerpodcasts.com Assistant Producer: Becki Hills Producer: Anouska Lewis Senior Producer: Callum Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    35 min

  2. 4 DAYS AGO

    229. Britain’s Last Colony: The Second World War, Forced Deportations, and 9/11 (Ep 1)

    The Chagos Islands have dominated news headlines over the past few months, but the struggle of the Chagossian people to reclaim their island home has spanned decades. First colonised in 1513 by the Portuguese, the archipelago shifted from one imperial master to another over the course of the next three hundred years, until the British took control in the 19th century and changed the course of Chagossian history forever... In the 20th century the US realised the strategic importance of the Chagos archipelago, sitting equidistant between Asia and Africa. As the island of Diego Garcia became home to one of the largest US military bases in the world, the Chagossian people were forcibly evicted from their lands and displaced across the world, left to fend for themselves in unknown lands. Listen as Anita and William are joined by Philippe Sands, barrister, writer and academic, who has been leading the repatriation case against the British government on behalf of the Chagos Islands and the Mauritian state. Twitter: @Empirepoduk Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com Goalhangerpodcasts.com Assistant Producer: Becki Hills Producer: Anouska Lewis Senior Producer: Callum Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    35 min

  3. 6 DAYS AGO

    The Man Who Lived A Thousand Lives: Prisoner of War (Ep 2)

    Gustav Hermann Krumbiegel transformed India’s landscapes but faced immense personal struggles. Despite rising to prominence as the Maharaja of Mysore’s trusted landscape architect, Krumbiegel suffered greatly during the first and second world wars, enduring hardship and isolation in British-run camps. Krumbiegel’s resilience shone through even in adversity. His expertise was so revered that, after Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, the newly independent India entrusted him with landscaping the Raj Ghat memorial in Delhi, a sacred space visited by dignitaries from around the world to this day. Listen as William and Anita delve into Krumbiegel’s legacy - a tale of brilliance, resilience, and deep-rooted love for India. Despite facing internment, political shifts, and personal loss, his vision shaped not just gardens but the very essence of India’s urban and cultural landscapes. This is the story of a man who, though German by birth, left an indelible mark on India’s heart and soil. Many thanks to Vinay Parameswarappa for introducing us to the fascinating story of Gustav Krumbeigel. Twitter: @Empirepoduk Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com Goalhangerpodcasts.com Assistant Producer: Becki Hills Producer: Anouska Lewis Senior Producer: Callum Hill Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    45 min

  4. 10 FEB · BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Bonus: Victoria and Abdul, Indian Food, and JLF

    William, Anita, and Producer Anouska have been recording a series of mini-interviews at the Jaipur Literature Festival, chatting with listeners and literary figures about all things Empire. Listen as Anita discusses the fascinating tale of Victoria & Abdul with historian, author and journalist, Shrabani Basu; while Anouska speaks with Empire fans about how the podcast has shaped their understandings of imperial history. Twitter: @Empirepoduk Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com Goalhangerpodcasts.com Assistant Producer: Becki Hills Producer: Anouska Lewis Senior Producer: Callum Hill Exec Producer: Neil Fearn

    33 min

  5. 6 FEB

    The Man Who Lived A Thousand Lives: Taming Nature (Ep 1)

    Gustav Hermann Krumbiegel's visionary work transformed the landscapes of India. From humble beginnings in Germany to an apprenticeship at Kew Gardens, Krumbiegel’s journey led him to Baroda, where he became the trusted landscape architect of the Maharaja. Designing the iconic Brindavan Gardens, shaping Bangalore’s reputation as the “Garden City,” and introducing innovative agricultural practices that supported local economies, Krumbiegel's influence shaped India's botanical future. Krumbiegel’s work was not, however, purely focused on aesthetics. He revolutionised urban planning in India, introducing tree censuses, promoting sustainable irrigation systems, and blending traditional Indian gardening with European techniques. His deep respect for local environments and cultures allowed him to create green spaces that felt both timeless and transformative. Listen as William and Anita delve into the life of this unsung hero, whose passion for plants left an enduring imprint on India’s landscapes. From royal palaces to public parks, Krumbiegel’s story is a testament to how one man’s vision can shape the natural and cultural heritage of an entire nation. Many thanks to Vinay Parameswarappa for introducing us to the fascinating story of Gustav Krumbeigel. Twitter: @Empirepoduk Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com Goalhangerpodcasts.com Assistant Producer: Becki Hills Producer: Anouska Lewis Senior Producer: Callum Hill Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    37 min

  6. 4 FEB

    226. The Rise and Fall of East India Company Painting (Ep 2)

    Calcutta in the late 18th century was a chaotic, fast-growing city, filled with fortune seekers, towering mansions, and an ever-present sense of impermanence. Inspired by the botanical and zoological paintings they encountered in Lucknow, Sir Elijah Impey, the first Chief Justice of Bengal, and his wife, Lady Mary Impey, brought this style to Calcutta, where they assembled an artistic salon and commissioned Indian artists to document the natural world in beautiful detail. Lady Impey, a passionate naturalist, became the unlikely patron of some of India's greatest animal painters, including Sheikh Zayn al-Din, Bhawani Das, and Ram Das. Working with delicate squirrel-hair brushes, these artists captured birds, mammals, and even bats with stunning precision. Their art, once viewed merely as scientific record-keeping, is now recognized as some of the finest examples of Indian painting from the colonial period. Listen as William and Anita trace the journey of this artistic tradition from Lucknow to Calcutta and beyond, exploring how European patrons influenced Indian artists - and how, in turn, Indian artistry left an indelible mark on Western botanical and zoological illustration.  Twitter: @Empirepoduk Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com Goalhangerpodcasts.com Assistant Producer: Becki Hills Producer: Anouska Lewis Senior Producer: Callum Hill Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    40 min

  7. 30 JAN

    225. Painting the Empire: Art of the East India Company (Ep 1)

    Company School painting is a fascinating yet often overlooked artistic tradition that emerged during the British East India Company’s rule in India. Indian artists blended Mughal, Rajput, and European styles to create detailed and vibrant artworks focused on flora and fauna. What makes these paintings extraordinary is how they capture not only scientific precision but also the rich artistic traditions of India.  At the heart of this story is the city of Lucknow, a hub of artistic and cultural refinement, where European imperialists like Claude Martin sought to document India’s natural world. Martin, a French adventurer-turned-British officer, was so committed to this project that he imported thousands of sheets of European watercolour paper and assembled a team of Indian artists to create meticulous botanical and zoological illustrations.  But as much as these paintings were a product of imperialism, they also provided an unprecedented opportunity for Indian artists to leave a lasting impression. Unlike earlier court art, which often left artists anonymous, Company School paintings are some of the first works where individual Indian painters were credited by name.  Listen as William and Anita unravel the intricate web of art, science, and empire, revealing a world where botanical illustrations were not just scientific tools, but also symbols of a rapidly changing society. Twitter: @Empirepoduk Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com Goalhangerpodcasts.com Assistant Producer: Becki Hills Producer: Anouska Lewis Senior Producer: Callum Hill Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    44 min

  8. 28 JAN

    224. Empire in Your Garden

    How did plants power imperialism? Gardening may be a quintessentially British hobby, but many of the familiar plants in our lives have a global – and colonial – history. From “fern-mania” leading wealthy Victorians to decimate environments around the world collecting ferns for their drawing rooms, to mahogany harvested by enslaved workers in the Caribbean, plants played an important role in the British Empire. Even official scientific names for plants included blatantly racist language up until the 1990s.  Over-harvesting of popular imperial products created monocultures and environmental destruction on a huge scale, and the movement of native plants across continents allowed invasive species to run riot. Yet the same imperialists who caused these problems also led the way in the early environmentalist movement, creating National Parks and protection schemes for animals on the risk of extinction.  Listen as William and Anita are once again joined by Sathnam Sanghera, author of Empireworld, to explore the ways in which imperialists both destroyed and protected the natural world. Twitter: @Empirepoduk Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com Goalhangerpodcasts.com Assistant Producer: Becki Hills Producer: Anouska Lewis Senior Producer: Callum Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    47 min
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Hosts & Guests

About

How do empires rise? Why do they fall? And how have they shaped the world around us today? William Dalrymple and Anita Anand explore the stories, personalities and events of empire over the course of history.

Information

  • Creator
    Goalhanger
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    267
  • Provider
    Goalhanger Podcasts

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