p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'} She was a concubine, courtesan, wife, lover, warrior, leader, a Mughal noble, a British ally. She was Christian and Muslim. She threw grand parties that South Asians and Europeans alike were enamored with. In the nineteenth-century male-dominated world of South Asia, Begum Samru stood out, and purposely so. The Mughal emperor Shah Alam II depended on her as much as the British sometimes did. In this episode, we discuss the remarkable life of a woman leader who fought on the field and off it. Born in poverty, she died as one of the richest people in the subcontinent, Begum Samru's life and legacy is the topic of this podcast episode.

 p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'} She was a concubine, courtesan, wife, lover, warrior, leader, a Mughal noble, a British ally. She was Christian and Muslim. She threw grand parties that South Asians and Europeans alike were enamored with. In the nineteenth-century male-dominated world of South Asia, Begum Samru stood out, and purposely so. The Mughal emperor Shah Alam II depended on her as much as the British sometimes did. In this episode, we discuss the remarkable life of a woman leader who fought on the field and off it. Born in poverty, she died as one of the richest people in the subcontinent, Begum Samru's life and legacy is the topic of this podcast episode. 

Masala History

Episode 12 | Begum Samru

The act of men impersonating women has had a long history in the performance cultures of South Asia. Our understanding of these enactments in theater, dance, or in religious rituals has, however, remained marginal, often considering these in western modes as 'drag' while discounting complex issues of gendered gaze, sexuality, and social mores in which these performances are embroiled. In this episode, Shilpa Menon breaks down the practice of female impersonation in South Asia providing us the history of the practice as well as its contemporary relevance, while presenting these practices as an important issue when considering rights of marginalized groups in India and other parts of the subcontinent.

The act of men impersonating women has had a long history in the performance cultures of South Asia. Our understanding of these enactments in theater, dance, or in religious rituals has, however, remained marginal, often considering these in western modes as 'drag' while discounting complex issues of gendered gaze, sexuality, and social mores in which these performances are embroiled. In this episode, Shilpa Menon breaks down the practice of female impersonation in South Asia providing us the history of the practice as well as its contemporary relevance, while presenting these practices as an important issue when considering rights of marginalized groups in India and other parts of the subcontinent.

Episode 11 | History of Female Impersonation and Gendered Performances in South Asia

Is she the great illusion or the gravest ignorance? Is she the destroyer of Mahisha or the avenger of the demonic twins Shumbha and Nishumbha? Is she Ambika, or Chandika, or Kali, or Parvati, or Mahamaya, or Durga? Who is Devi, the Great Goddess? Why did she drink alcohol and get inebriated? Did she eat people? In this episode, the different forms of the great goddess within Hinduism is explored through the telling of the stories contained in the sixth-century scripture, Devi Mahatmya.

Is she the great illusion or the gravest ignorance? Is she the destroyer of Mahisha or the avenger of the demonic twins Shumbha and Nishumbha? Is she Ambika, or Chandika, or Kali, or Parvati, or Mahamaya, or Durga? Who is Devi, the Great Goddess? Why did she drink alcohol and get inebriated? Did she eat people? In this episode, the different forms of the great goddess within Hinduism is explored through the telling of the stories contained in the sixth-century scripture, Devi Mahatmya. 

Episode 10 | Devi Mahatmya

How did one cook fish in medieval South India? Was there an ideal woman for a king to marry? Were pedicures a thing? In this podcast, we discuss the 12th century treatise on all things pleasurable that was made available for royalty. Written by the erudite scholar king Someshwara III, Manasollasa, the encyclopedic work on kingship and pleasure, provides us with a glimpse into the society of Chalukya--their games, food, dress, and architecture.

How did one cook fish in medieval South India? Was there an ideal woman for a king to marry? Were pedicures a thing? In this podcast, we discuss the 12th century treatise on all things pleasurable that was made available for royalty. Written by the erudite scholar king Someshwara III, Manasollasa, the encyclopedic work on kingship and pleasure, provides us with a glimpse into the society of Chalukya--their games, food, dress, and architecture.

Episode 9 | Manasollasa

The history of Mehr-un-Nissa, the future Empress Nur Jahan, twentieth and last wife of Emperor Jahangir, is marked by intrigue, bravery, and everything in between. It is no wonder that the seventeenth-century life of Nur Jahan has been subject of both feminist interpretations and mythical readings. We have seen her in movies; she is a stock figure either as conniving wife or a power hungry wannabe. Often in these narratives, Nur Jahan’s ingenuity as an administrator, her leadership, and charisma get forgotten or are completely erased. In this podcast, we discuss the history and myth of one of India’s real empresses, Nur Jahan.

The history of Mehr-un-Nissa, the future Empress Nur Jahan, twentieth and last wife of Emperor Jahangir, is marked by intrigue, bravery, and everything in between. It is no wonder that the seventeenth-century life of Nur Jahan has been subject of both feminist interpretations and mythical readings. We have seen her in movies; she is a stock figure either as conniving wife or a power hungry wannabe. Often in these narratives, Nur Jahan’s ingenuity as an administrator, her leadership, and charisma get forgotten or are completely erased. In this podcast, we discuss the history and myth of one of India’s real empresses, Nur Jahan. 

Episode 8 | Nur Jahan

The history of the Government House, now the residence of the Governor of West Bengal, is a history of the British Empire in India condensed into 26 acres of land at the heart of the "white town" of Calcutta. Amongst its maidan, gardens, and cannons, the Government House stands tall in typical neoclassical fashion--conservative, traditional, and imperial. In this episode, we discuss how a building came to be conceived as the domestic face of an empire and a monument to imperial success, yet, in its use, reuse, and misuse (by birds, animals, and even gardeners of India) stands today as an apt metaphor for colonialism in the Indian subcontinent.

The history of the Government House, now the residence of the Governor of West Bengal, is a history of the British Empire in India condensed into 26 acres of land at the heart of the "white town" of Calcutta. Amongst its maidan, gardens, and cannons, the Government House stands tall in typical neoclassical fashion--conservative, traditional, and imperial. In this episode, we discuss how a building came to be conceived as the domestic face of an empire and a monument to imperial success, yet, in its use, reuse, and misuse (by birds, animals, and even gardeners of India) stands today as an apt metaphor for colonialism in the Indian subcontinent.

Episode 7: Government House (Raj Bhavan), Calcutta

Emperor Jahangir loved alcohol, opium, hunting (shikar), and, like all good South Asians, mangoes. His numerous experiences with all the above, his beloved wife Nur Jahan, his son, the future emperor Shah Jahan, and more were written down by him in his autobiography Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri. In this podcast, we discuss the colorful pleasure-seeking life of this Mughal emperor - a man who was selfish, addicted, humorous, and generous, all at once.

Emperor Jahangir loved alcohol, opium, hunting (shikar), and, like all good South Asians, mangoes. His numerous experiences with all the above, his beloved wife Nur Jahan, his son, the future emperor Shah Jahan, and more were written down by him in his autobiography Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri. In this podcast, we discuss the colorful pleasure-seeking life of this Mughal emperor - a man who was selfish, addicted, humorous, and generous, all at once.

Episode 6: Mughal Emperor Jahangir

Pem Nem, a love story of longing, despair, and ultimate unification is discussed in this pod as an example of the multiculturalism of the Deccan Sultanate courts of the seventeenth century. Seen as a period of cultural efflorescence, the reign of rulers like Ibrahim Adil Shah II (r.1579-1627) of Bijapur and Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah (r.1580-1611) of Golconda, themselves creative and erudite, are marked by the vivid richness of their court cultures and the vast literary and artistic production of the period. For references, images, and further readings, visit us at <a href="www.masalahistory.com">www.masalahistory.com</a>.

 Pem Nem, a love story of longing, despair, and ultimate unification is discussed in this pod as an example of the multiculturalism of the Deccan Sultanate courts of the seventeenth century. Seen as a period of cultural efflorescence, the reign of rulers like Ibrahim Adil Shah II (r.1579-1627) of Bijapur and Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah (r.1580-1611) of Golconda, themselves creative and erudite, are marked by the vivid richness of their court cultures and the vast literary and artistic production of the period. For references, images, and further readings, visit us at www.masalahistory.com.  

Episode 5: Pem Nem

Are there water fountains on the roof of the Rashtrapati Bhavan? Why is Mehrauli Park so green? Why is New Delhi called Lutyens' Delhi? Built at the beginning of the end of the British rule, from a symbol of imperial might to becoming India's beacon of hope to its present state as one of the most endangered heritage cities in the world, New Delhi's story is as colorful and problematic as can be expected. In this podcast, we explore the history of making India's capital city which was also the last imperial capital city in the world.

Are there water fountains on the roof of the Rashtrapati Bhavan? Why is Mehrauli Park so green? Why is New Delhi called Lutyens' Delhi? Built at the beginning of the end of the British rule, from a symbol of imperial might to becoming India's beacon of hope to its present state as one of the most endangered heritage cities in the world, New Delhi's story is as colorful and problematic as can be expected. In this podcast, we explore the history of making India's capital city which was also the last imperial capital city in the world.

Episode 4 Lutyens' Delhi: The Last Imperial Capital of the World

Did Tipu Sultan truly circumcise adult men to convert them into Muslims? Or, was he the generous benefactor of the Sringeri Matha, a Hindu monastery in the interiors of Karnataka? Why did he write down his dreams in such vivid and fanciful ways? Why did he hate the British so much? What is his connection to Bengaluru International Airport?! Tipu is perhaps one of the most controversial figures in Indian history. His life, a narrative of battles, bravery, cruelty, and sorrow is the stuff of cinemas and legends. This podcast covers Tipu's birth, battles, faith and patronage, perceived and actual faults as an eighteenth-century empire builder, and his untimely and anticlimactic death. In this episode, we discuss the history and myths associated with one of India's most controversial historical figures, Tipu Sultan. Content copyright: Masala History, ©2018. <a href="http://www.masalahistory.com">www.masalahistory.com</a>. Special Note: We are just beginning this podcast journey and we ask you to bear with our initial sound quality hiccups. We are recording from different continents, over different time zones, with introductory podcast equipment, and less than optimal internet connectivity. But we have terrific content on our pods and will continue to work on our production quality. Hang in here with us and we promise very interesting content on South Asian history, culture, books, and more!

Did Tipu Sultan truly circumcise adult men to convert them into Muslims? Or, was he the generous benefactor of the Sringeri Matha, a Hindu monastery in the interiors of Karnataka? Why did he write down his dreams in such vivid and fanciful ways? Why did he hate the British so much? What is his connection to Bengaluru International Airport?! Tipu is perhaps one of the most controversial figures in Indian history. His life, a narrative of battles, bravery, cruelty, and sorrow is the stuff of cinemas and legends. This podcast covers Tipu's birth, battles, faith and patronage, perceived and actual faults as an eighteenth-century empire builder, and his untimely and anticlimactic death. In this episode, we discuss the history and myths associated with one of India's most controversial historical figures, Tipu Sultan. Content copyright: Masala History, ©2018. www.masalahistory.com. Special Note: We are just beginning this podcast journey and we ask you to bear with our initial sound quality hiccups. We are recording from different continents, over different time zones, with introductory podcast equipment, and less than optimal internet connectivity. But we have terrific content on our pods and will continue to work on our production quality. Hang in here with us and we promise very interesting content on South Asian history, culture, books, and more!

Episode 3: Tipu Sultan, The Tiger of Mysore

In this initial episode of Masala History podcast, we review Santi Kavuri Bauer's book on post-Mughal identity of Mughal architecture in India, published by Duke University Press in 2011. We discuss the book's treatment of British, nationalist, and capitalist interests that have affected and continue to make an impact on some of India's most glorious historical structures. For show notes including related links, images, and other information, please visit our podcasts page at <a href="http://www.masalahistory.com/podcast/">Masala History</a>. Content copyright: Masala History, ©2018. <a href="http://www.masalahistory.com">www.masalahistory.com</a>. Special Note: We are just beginning this podcast journey and we ask you to bear with our initial sound quality hiccups. We are recording from different continents, over different time zones, with introductory podcast equipment, and less than optimal internet connectivity. But we have terrific content on our pods and will continue to work on our production quality. Hang in here with us and we promise very interesting content on South Asian history, culture, books, and more!

In this initial episode of Masala History podcast, we review Santi Kavuri Bauer's book on post-Mughal identity of Mughal architecture in India, published by Duke University Press in 2011. We discuss the book's treatment of British, nationalist, and capitalist interests that have affected and continue to make an impact on some of India's most glorious historical structures. For show notes including related links, images, and other information, please visit our podcasts page at Masala History. Content copyright: Masala History, ©2018. www.masalahistory.com. Special Note: We are just beginning this podcast journey and we ask you to bear with our initial sound quality hiccups. We are recording from different continents, over different time zones, with introductory podcast equipment, and less than optimal internet connectivity. But we have terrific content on our pods and will continue to work on our production quality. Hang in here with us and we promise very interesting content on South Asian history, culture, books, and more!  

Episode 1: Thinking about Mughal Architecture in Post-Mughal India

For more about our podcasts, essays, and visuals, visit our website (link below).

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Masala History

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