When India gained its independence, the rulers of the princely states - the Maharajas - had to be convinced to give up control of their territories to create the nation of India. It was a difficult negotiation for Lord Mountbatten as each prince wanted something different in return for giving up land, power and armies.Guest: John Zubrzycki, former diplomat and author of Dethroned: the downfall of India's princely states (Hurst/NewSouth)This story originally aired on 03 October 2024.

Until the late 1980s Indigenous art was being ripped off left right and centre. It was open slather. First at the cheap end of the market on T-shirts and then on fancy carpets made in Vietnam. The rip-off merchants maintained black artists were just painting old patterns, so their work was for the taking. The lawyer who proved them wrong was Colin Golvan AM, and his new book shares historical stories of Indigenous copyright infringement and his experiences travelling around, often to remote communities, to work with artists to fight for their rights. Bronwyn Bancroft is one of Australia's most recognised First Nation artists and when she stumbled across the theft of her work, Colin took up the legal fight and they settled out of court. Bronwyn now mentors other Aboriginal artists to assert their copyright.Guests:Colin Golvan AM is a lawyer, QC and author of new book, Protecting Indigenous ArtBronwyn Bancroft AM is a Bundjalung woman, artist and author of 45 booksThis story originally aired on 03 October 2024.

Upon discovering that sex work is decriminalised in New Zealand, Antonia Murphy decided to build her own business: an ethical escort agency called The Bach. 

Learning how birds communicate could help us to better understand the health of our natural ecosystems. This story originally aired on 17 October 2024.

Journalist Gareth Gore investigates the finances and political influence of the conservative Catholic order, Opus Dei. This story originally aired on 17 October 2024.

Alfred Dreyfus was an officer in the French Army when he was arrested 130 years ago for treason, convicted and sent to Devils Island for 5 years in solitary confinement.  His battle for justice divided the population of France and fascinated people across the globe.  

Journalist Evan Rail investigates the lucrative market for vintage "pre ban" bottles of absinthe, from before WWI. Most bottles are genuine, but some are fake. This story originally aired on 30 October 2024. 

In 1788 there were at least fifteen convicts of African descent on board the First Fleet, and hundreds more followed.Who were they, and how were the Black convicts transported to Australia linked to the slave trade?Guest: Santilla Chingaipe, author of Black Convicts: How slavery shaped Australia.This story originally aired on 30 October 2024. 

From requesting cross bows to fight invaders in Norfolk, to a southern Italian cosmetic recipe for removing hair dye: a British Library exhibition reveals the worlds of women in the Middle Ages.

Madrid, the Spanish capital in the centre of the country, has long lived under the shadow of coastal Barcelona, with its spectacular Gaudi architecture. But Australian author Luke Stegemann, who has lived in Madrid on and off for many years,  is passionate about the place and its significance.