Join historian Jagjeet Lally, an expert in early modern India, and comedian Nish Kumar for a witty dive into India's vibrant 18th century. They challenge the narrative of chaos following the Mughal decline, spotlighting the rise of powerful regional states like the Marathas and Sikhs. Discover the fascinating dynamics of trade led by the East India Company, the emergence of capitalism, and the evolving gender roles amidst cultural shifts. Their engaging banter makes exploring history both informative and fun!
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insights INSIGHT
The Long 18th Century Framework
Dr Jagjeet Lally frames a "long 18th century" from the 1680s to the 1820s–1840s to capture sustained change.
This period shows parallel cultural and economic shifts similar to Europe, not a brief chaotic interlude.
insights INSIGHT
Mughal Retreat, Not Just Decline
Mughal territorial retreat after Aurangzeb's death created political fragmentation rather than simple collapse.
The 1739 sack of Delhi by Nader Shah sharply dented Mughal prestige and accelerated regional autonomy.
insights INSIGHT
From Governors To Regional Kings
Provincial governors in Bengal, Awadh and Hyderabad increasingly converted office into hereditary rule.
Regional elites exploited imperial weakness to create durable, prosperous states.
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Greg Jenner is joined in early modern India by historian Dr Jagjeet Lally and comedian Nish Kumar to learn all about the subcontinent’s dynamic eighteenth century. From the sixteenth century, the dominant power in India was the Mughal Empire. According to the traditional narrative, when the Mughals began to decline in the eighteenth century, the subcontinent descended into political chaos, and European trading powers – most notably the British East India Company – swooped in to take advantage and (in their words) restore order. But can we trust this story? In this episode, we look at India’s long eighteenth century not as a period of chaos, but one of dynamic transformation and exciting developments. Taking in the rise of new powers including the Marathas, the Rajputs and the Sikh Empire, and looking at changes in the economy, global trade, artistic patronage and gender relations, we explore what India was really like at this time.
If you’re a fan of the history of globalisation, the connections between politics, economics and social relations, and debunking historical myths, you’ll love our episode on the long eighteenth century in India.
If you want to know more about the history of India, check out our episodes on the Mughals and Bollywood. And for more eighteenth-century history, there’s our episode on Black Georgian England.
You’re Dead To Me is the comedy podcast that takes history seriously. Every episode, Greg Jenner brings together the best names in history and comedy to learn and laugh about the past.
Hosted by: Greg Jenner
Research by: Clara Chamberlain
Written by: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Emma Nagouse, and Greg Jenner
Produced by: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow and Greg Jenner
Audio Producer: Steve Hankey
Production Coordinator: Gill Huggett
Senior Producer: Emma Nagouse
Executive Editor: Philip Sellars
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