The #AskAbhijit Show #AskAbhijit 291: Settler-Colonization, Ashok, Kanishka, Judaism, Goths, Mitanni, Romans, Warsaw Pact
Sep 28, 2025
Dive into a fascinating exploration of history! Discover how the Toba Supereruption shaped human survival and the complexities of the Warsaw Pact. Uncover the cultural legacies of Ashoka and Kanishka while probing into the impact of ancient civilizations, from the Seleucids to the Mitanni. Learn about the strategic decisions of Rome and China's tribal interactions and the influence of Zoroastrianism on Judaism. The intriguing reasons behind Britain's colonial choices and the depths of India's historical narratives make this a must-listen!
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How Indians Survived The Toba Catastrophe
- The Toba supereruption (~74,000 years ago) caused a volcanic winter but archaeological layers show humans living before and after the ash deposit in India.
- Indians likely survived by dispersing, using rich local resources, and adapting to scarce conditions until climate recovered.
Warsaw Pact Versus NATO Explained
- The Warsaw Pact formed in 1955 as a Soviet-led mirror of NATO and enforced member loyalty unlike NATO's voluntary nature.
- It was operationally effective but collapsed as the USSR weakened and lost global economic and naval reach.
What Makes A Civilization
- Abhijit defines civilization by institutionalized indigenous culture, a civilizational language, stability, prosperity and cultural export beyond borders.
- He concludes modern India (and China) function more like colonized states or empires rather than intact civilizations today.