The podcast dives into the high-stakes rivalry of the Great Game, focusing on Francis Younghusband's daring ambitions in Tibet. It uncovers the rivalry between British and Russian officers, culminating in a chaotic military expedition that escalates violence. Listeners get a glimpse into Younghusband's personal life, including a humorously awkward marriage set against the backdrop of imperial tensions. The reflection on Patrick French’s contributions adds a heartfelt layer, while tales of espionage illuminate the intense colonial dynamics at play.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Dedication to Patrick French
William Dalrymple dedicates the podcast to his friend, Patrick French, author of Younghusband: The Last Great Imperial Adventurer.
French's book reevaluates the life of Sir Francis Younghusband, a key figure in the Great Game.
insights INSIGHT
Younghusband's Upbringing
Francis Younghusband, born in British India in 1863, embodied Victorian confidence and racial superiority.
His upbringing mirrored that of Rudyard Kipling, reflecting a shared worldview and later mysticism.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Education in Britain
Younghusband, like Kipling, was sent to Britain for education at Clifton College and Sandhurst.
Anand recalls similar experiences of British-Indian families sending children to England, including General Dyer and Anne Leslie.
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Young Husband
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Fearing Russian designs on the region, the eyes of the British turn towards Tibet. Francis Younghusband, the Victorian adventurer and elite player of the Great Game, and Lord Curzon decide that with the Russians distracted by their conflict in Manchuria, now is the time to seize the territory. This is their chance to one-up their imperial rival. In this classic tale of the Great Game, British and Russian officers face each other down in far-off mountain ranges, before things take a darker turn as a British expedition sets off a cycle of violence. In this episode dedicated to the memory of his biographer, Patrick French, listen as William and Anita discuss the extraordinary life of Francis Younghusband and his role in the final act of the Great Game.
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