The Seen and the Unseen - hosted by Amit Varma Ep 412: Probal DasGupta Goes to the Himalayas With Books in His Bag
Probal DasGupta, a military historian and author of "Watershed 1967," shares intriguing insights into India's military triumphs and geopolitical dynamics. He highlights the often-ignored 1967 battle against China, revealing its significance in shaping contemporary ties. Probal discusses his experiences in the Indian Army and the personal growth derived from them, while reflecting on familial influences and the art of storytelling. His anecdotes, from competitive sports to moral dilemmas in military ethics, paint a vivid picture of resilience and curiosity.
06:03:17
Introduction to Probal DasGupta
- Amit Varma introduces Probal DasGupta, highlighting his diverse career path.
- DasGupta's background includes military service, international affairs, consulting, history, and storytelling.
Family Background
- Probal DasGupta's family has diverse backgrounds, with his father from a landowning family who joined the army.
- His mother's family was focused on the arts, creating a blend of influences in his upbringing.
Early Education and Boarding School
- DasGupta's upbringing involved frequent moves due to his father's job, exposing him to diverse cultures.
- Attending boarding school provided a structured environment with varied opportunities.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Exploring a Polymath's Journey Through History and Curiosity
01:54 • 5min
Roots and Reflections
06:31 • 11min
Understanding Parental Complexity
17:43 • 21min
Memory and Growth Through Travel and Education
38:32 • 11min
Lessons from School and Growth
49:08 • 22min
Navigating Rules and Individual Principles in Competitive Sports
01:10:48 • 3min
Exploring Curiosity and the Craft of Storytelling
01:14:11 • 3min
The Power of Curiosity
01:16:44 • 19min
Journey of Growth: From College to Army Life
01:35:30 • 32min
Moral Dilemmas and Military Ethics in Kashmir
02:07:50 • 28min
Modern Warfare and India's Defense Evolution
02:36:04 • 17min
From Uniform to Opportunity
02:53:07 • 10min
Gurkhas: Bonds Beyond Rank
03:03:29 • 16min
Navigating Life's Choices: Sports and Education
03:19:08 • 14min
Navigating Corporate Challenges and the Art of Clear Writing
03:33:06 • 4min
Navigating Corporate Governance in India
03:37:07 • 18min
From Rejection to Reflection
03:54:59 • 17min
Unveiling India's Military Triumphs
04:12:01 • 14min
Resilience Through History
04:26:04 • 17min
Exploring the Depths: Metaphors of Research and Memory
04:43:31 • 3min
Geopolitical Shifts in South Asia: The 1960s
04:46:29 • 19min
Tensions in Sikkim: Military and Political Dynamics of the 1960s
05:05:29 • 25min
Loudspeaker Battles and Human Connections
05:30:00 • 20min
Humanity Amidst Conflict: Exploring Stories of Peace and History
05:50:27 • 2min
Exploring Human Stories in Literature
05:52:19 • 11min
No One Writes to the Colonel
No One Writes to the Colonel
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Until August
Gabriel García Márquez
Chronicle of a Death Foretold
Chronicle of a Death Foretold
Gabriel García Márquez
Train to Pakistan
Train to Pakistan
Khushwant Singh
Indian Summer
Indian Summer
Alex von Tunzelmann
India's 1962 war with China
India's 1962 war with China
Neville Maxwell
Counterinsurgency warfare theory and practice
Counterinsurgency warfare theory and practice
David Galula
A Generation of Rage in Kashmir
A Generation of Rage in Kashmir
David Devadas
Feast of the Goat
Mario Vargas Llosa
India's wars
India's wars
Srinath Raghavan
Satanic Verses
Salman Rushdie
The novel follows the lives of two Indian Muslims, Gibreel Farishta and Saladin Chamcha, who survive a plane hijacking and subsequent explosion. As they fall from the plane, they are transformed into angelic and satanic figures. The story delves into various themes, including the founding of Islam through the character Mahound, the story of a visionary girl named Ayesha, and the struggles of identity and faith. The book is known for its complex, multilayered plot and its use of dreams within dreams, which generated significant controversy due to its satirical and imaginative treatment of Islamic themes.
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Gabriel García Márquez
One Hundred Years of Solitude tells the story of seven generations of the Buendía family, founders of the fictional town of Macondo. The novel spans a hundred years of turbulent Latin American history, from the postcolonial 1820s to the 1920s. It is a tale of love, loss, and the cyclical nature of history, filled with magical realism that blends the supernatural with the ordinary. The story follows the family's experiences, including civil war, marriages, births, and deaths, and explores themes such as solitude, fate, and the inevitability of repetition in history. The novel is renowned for its narrative style and its influence on the literary movement known as the Latin American Boom[1][4][5].
War and Peace
Leo Tolstoy
Set during the Napoleonic Wars, 'War and Peace' follows the lives of several Russian aristocratic families, including the Bezukhovs, the Rostovs, and the Bolkonskys. The novel spans from 1805 to 1820 and is known for its realistic detail and psychological analysis. It explores the impact of Napoleon's invasion of Russia on the characters and society, delving into themes of love, family, war, and personal growth. The novel includes historical events such as the Battle of Austerlitz, the Treaties of Tilsit, and the French invasion of Russia, intertwining historical and fictional elements[3][4][5].
Midnight's Children
Salman Rushdie
The novel tells the story of Saleem Sinai, who is born at the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, the moment of India's independence from British rule. Saleem's life is intricately linked with the history of India, and he possesses telepathic powers that allow him to communicate with other 'midnight children' born between 12 a.m. and 1 a.m. on that date. Each of these children has unique magical powers, and Saleem acts as a conduit to connect them. The story spans various historical events in India, including the partition, wars, and the Emergency declared by Indira Gandhi. It explores themes of identity, history, and the fragmented nature of a newly independent nation[1][3][4].
Shame
Free Yourself, Find Joy, and Build True Self-Esteem
Joseph Burgo
Unknown
Kate DiCamillo
Love in the Time of Cholera
Gabriel García Márquez
Gabriel García Márquez's "Love in the Time of Cholera" is a sweeping epic that tells the story of Fermina Daza and Florentino Ariza's enduring love affair. The novel spans decades, following the characters' lives as they navigate love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. Márquez's writing style is characterized by its magical realism, blending fantastical elements with realistic portrayals of life in Colombia. The novel explores themes of love, fate, and the passage of time. Its lyrical prose and unforgettable characters have made it a beloved classic. The novel's exploration of love's enduring power and its ability to transcend time and circumstance has resonated with readers worldwide.
Watershed 1967
Watershed 1967
Prabhal Dasgupta
Camouflage
a history of concealment and deception in war
Guy Hartcup
So much in history never made it to the popular imagination -- such as the battles of 1967 in which India beat China. Probal DasGupta joins Amit Varma in episode 412 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss his time in the Indian army -- and his fascinating discoveries as a military historian. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Probal DasGupta on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and Amazon. 2. Watershed 1967: India's Forgotten Victory Over China -- Probal DasGupta. 3. Camouflaged: Forgotten Stories from Battlefields -- Probal DasGupta. 4. The Loneliness of the Indian Man — Episode 303 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Nikhil Taneja). 5. The Killing Fields -- Roland Joffé. 6. Shame -- Salman Rushdie. 7. Midnight's Children -- Salman Rushdie. 8. The Satanic Verses -- Salman Rushdie. 9. India's War -- Srinath Raghavan. 10. A Deep Dive Into Ukraine vs Russia — Episode 335 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Ajay Shah). 11. The State of the Ukraine War — Episode 14 of Everything is Everything. 12. A Deep Dive Into the Indian Military -- Episode 31 of Everything is Everything. 13. Indian Defence Strategy: Forces, Potential and Procurement Disasters -- Perun. 14. Biju Rao Won’t Bow to Conventional Wisdom — Episode 392 of The Seen and the Unseen. 15. Can Economics Become More Reflexive? — Vijayendra Rao. 16. The Absent Dialogue -- Anit Mukherjee. 17. From Imperial to Adaptive Firms -- Episode 37 of Everything is Everything. 18. How Family Firms Evolve -- Episode 34 of Everything is Everything. 19. Love Story -- Rahul Rawail. 20. Grave of the Fireflies -- Isao Takahata. 21. The Nutty Putty cave picture. 22. The Geopolitics of the Bangladesh War — Episode 113 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Srinath Raghavan). 23. 1971: A Global History Of The Creation Of Bangladesh -- Srinath Raghavan. 24. The chair-raising scene between Adenoid Hynkel and Benzino Napaloni in The Great Dictator. 25. One Hundred Years of Solitude -- Gabriel Garcia Marquez. 26. One Hundred Years of Solitude, the web series. 27. Until August -- Gabriel Garcia Marquez. 28. Chronicle of a Death Foretold -- Gabriel Garcia Marquez. 29. No One Writes to the Colonel -- Gabriel Garcia Marquez. 30. Love in the Time of Cholera -- Gabriel Garcia Marquez. 31. Feast of the Goat -- Mario Vargas Llosa. 32. Indian Summer -- Alex von Tunzelmann. 33. The Last Emperor -- Bernardo Bertolucci. Amit Varma and Ajay Shah have launched a new course called Life Lessons, which aims to be a launchpad towards learning essential life skills all of you need. For more details, and to sign up, click here. Amit and Ajay also bring out a weekly YouTube show, Everything is Everything. Have you watched it yet? You must! And have you read Amit’s newsletter? Subscribe right away to The India Uncut Newsletter! It’s free! Also check out Amit’s online course, The Art of Clear Writing. Episode art: ‘Rare Air’ by Simahina.