Ep1. Partition of India with Sam Dalrymple (Akhyan Diaries)

Welcome to Akhyan Diaries, a podcast series that brings history alive through stories, conversations, and insights. Designed for curious minds and UPSC aspirants, the series connects the past with the present, showing how historical events continue to shape our politics, society, and world today. Our debut episode features historian, writer, and filmmaker Sam Dalrymple, Oxford graduate in Persian and Sanskrit, known for his book The Shattered Lands, his striking Instagram storytelling, and his VR project Dastan. In this episode, we explore the 5 partitions of British India, not just the famous 1947 partition, but also lesser-discussed separations that redrew the subcontinent. The conversation covers the role of princely states, the overlooked contributions of V.P. Menon, and the continuing impact of partition on regions like Kashmir and the Northeast. We also reflect on the idea of Akhand Bharat and the challenges of integration in a divided land. Nikhil Sheth Sir is a distinguished History faculty at LevelUp IAS with over a decade of experience. An MS graduate from the United States, he is widely respected for his research-driven teaching style and his ability to present historical narratives with exceptional clarity, making complex topics accessible and engaging for UPSC aspirants. Subscribe and hit the bell to join this unforgettable journey through India’s untold heritage. YouTube has introduced a new 'Hype' feature, limited to just 3 per week. If you found this video insightful, consider using one to hype it. 00:00 Teaser 01:55 Introduction 04:06 Five Partitions of India 12:08 Hiding British Empire? 14:23 Empire-centric vs Nation-centric History 16:46 Oral Histories 18:14 Story of Mariappan's Migration 21:42 Akhand Bharat vs Partition of India 26:09 Nation-state 27:35 Why did we forget? 31:35 Reactions of Pakistanis and Bangladeshis 33:40 Patel, Jinnah, Mountbatten & VP Menon portrayals in the book 38:10 Was Mountbatten pro-India? 42:25 Partition: Bureaucrats vs Politicians 44:10 Legacy of Partition 48:15 Sixth Partition or Reversal of Partition? 50:52 Q&A with participants Sam Dalrymple's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelsofsa... 👉Join GS History Telegram Channel: https://t.me/nikhilhistoryculture 👉Join History Optional Telegram: https://t.me/nikhilhistoryoptional --------------------------------------- ⚡️Enrol here for Sunday LIVE Mentorship Program: https://www.levelupias.com/upsc-histo... Contact here for details: 8826496658 📍Location: LevelUp IAS, Karol Bagh Centre (https://maps.app.goo.gl/NvPyzytSwDQYE...) 2nd Floor, 45 Pusa Road, Opp. Metro Pillar 128, Karol Bagh ---------------------------------------- Watch all the History Optional Foundation Lectures here for FREE: World History -    • World History (UPSC History Optional 2023-24)   Ancient History -    • Ancient India (UPSC History Optional 2023-24)   Early Medieval History -    • Early Medieval (UPSC History Optional 2023...   Medieval History -    • Medieval India (UPSC History Optional 2023...   Modern India History -    • Modern India (UPSC History Optional 2023-24)   Post Independence India History -    • Post-Independence India (UPSC History Opti...   ---------------------------------------- #akhyandiaries #podcast #levelupias #historyoptional #upsc #nikhilsir #nikhilsheth