Novara Media Downstream: The Ancient Indian History Our Schools Don’t Teach w/ William Dalrymple
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Aug 11, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, acclaimed historian William Dalrymple dives into the overlooked intricacies of ancient Indian history and its intersection with global trade and culture. He highlights India's profound contributions to mathematics and the cultural exchanges that shaped modern civilization. The conversation spans from the impact of Buddhism on identity to the urgent realities of Gaza, culminating in a call for inclusive historical education in British schools. Dalrymple’s insights encourage a rethinking of power dynamics and narratives shaped by colonial legacies.
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Alexander Leaves Little Mark In Indian Records
- Dalrymple says Indian sources barely mention Alexander the Great.
- His conquest mattered little to India's long civilizational flow.
Roman Gold Flowed East To India
- Dalrymple recounts Roman imports like pepper and silk drained Roman wealth to India.
- Papyrus invoices suggest customs made up a large part of Rome's revenue.
India's Cultural Reach Built Angkor Wat
- Dalrymple traces Indian merchants and temples in Southeast Asia from 500 AD.
- Indian ideas and Sanskrit transformed local polities, culminating in Angkor Wat.
