The Dharma Podcast

Was Indian history being rewritten to serve political interests? In 1968, the legendary historian R. C. Majumdar delivered a remarkable warning that remains deeply relevant to debates over India’s past.In this episode, we present the full text of R. C. Majumdar’s extraordinary Presidential Address, Indian Historiography: Some Recent Trends, delivered to the Institute of Historical Studies in 1968.An intellectual giant and one of the foremost historians of modern India, Majumdar had devoted more than half a century to historical research. In this address, he confronted a question fundamental to every nation: Should history serve political ideology, or should political ideology submit to historical truth?Drawing upon the principles articulated by Leopold von Ranke, Barthold Georg Niebuhr, Kalhana and Sir Jadunath Sarkar, Majumdar defended the historian’s supreme obligation to truth—even when the facts prove uncomfortable or contradict prevailing political beliefs.He then issued a powerful critique of the politicisation of Indian historiography, examining the influence of government policy, ideological conformity and nationalistic sentiment upon the writing of history.Among the subjects he addresses are:• The historian’s duty to establish facts without fear or favour.• The dangers of subordinating scholarship to political parties and official ideology.• The tension between historical truth and the political ideal of national integration.• The selective presentation of India’s past in the name of non-violence and national unity.• Controversies surrounding the medieval period, including Mahmud of Ghazni, Aurangzeb and Hindu-Muslim relations.• The rewriting of history to promote particular interpretations of India’s cultural and political evolution.• The danger of suppressing inconvenient facts in textbooks and academic institutions.• His appeal to younger historians to defend the integrity of historical scholarship.Majumdar’s address is more than a historical document. It is an intervention in a debate over the relationship between truth, scholarship, nationalism and political power.His closing warning is unforgettable: a nation cannot build its future upon historical falsehood, however attractive such falsehoods may appear in the present.Listen to the complete address and judge its arguments for yourself.If you believe that India’s past deserves rigorous examination, independent scholarship and an honest engagement with historical evidence, share this episode with fellow history enthusiasts.If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting The Dharma Dispatch podcast so we can offer more such interesting, informative and educational content related to Indian History, Sanatana Dharma, Hindu Culture and current affairs. It takes us months of rigorous research, writing and editing and significant costs to offer this labour of love.Ways you can Support The Dharma Podcast:* UPI: ddispatch@axl* Wallets, Netbanking, etc:* Click the button below to take a paid subscription. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedharmadispatch.substack.com/subscribe

In this compelling conversation on The Dharma Podcast, we dissect the concerted campaign to target the Chief Election Commissioner and delegitimize India's constitutional institutions. From historical precedents like the targeting of General V.K. Singh and Justice J.C. Shah to modern street agitations and media plants, Sandeep Balakrishna unpacks the operational playbook of the far-left, its regime-change tactics, and the civilizational roots that keep India resilient.Anything I say further will ruin the suspense. Do tune into the podcast! Support Our PodcastsIf you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting The Dharma Dispatch podcast so we can offer more such interesting, informative and educational content related to Indian History, Sanatana Dharma, Hindu Culture and current affairs. It takes us months of rigorous research, writing and editing and significant costs to offer this labour of love.Ways you can Support The Dharma Podcast:* UPI: ddispatch@axl* Wallets, Netbanking, etc:* Click the button below to take a paid subscription. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedharmadispatch.substack.com/subscribe

THIS EPISODE BEGINS with K. M. Munshi and the reconstruction of the Somanath Temple—and follows his determination to recover an Indian history that, in his words, would allow the world to “catch a glimpse of her soul as Indians see it.”Munshi believed that Indian history could not be reduced to a chronicle of foreign invasions. It had to tell the story of the people who inhabited the land: their achievements, institutions, values, struggles and resistance.With historian R. C. Majumdar, that vision produced the monumental eleven-volume History and Culture of the Indian People.Yet the generation that produced this scholarship gradually faded from mainstream memory.P. V. Kane.Jadunath Sarkar.R. C. Majumdar.Ananda Coomaraswamy.Ganganath Jha.Radha Kumud Mukherji.S. Srikanta Sastri.Govind Chandra Pande.And many others.These scholars worked across languages, inscriptions, manuscripts, literature, philosophy, archaeology and numismatics. Yet much of their intellectual legacy became increasingly marginal to the dominant historical narrative.This episode examines the argument that Indian historical scholarship passed through a series of stages—from intellectual flourishing, to continuity, dismissal, marginalization and finally active discouragement.This is not simply a story about historians.It is a story about memory.About intellectual inheritance.About civilizational continuity.And about a question that remains unresolved: Who gets to tell the story of India?If a civilization forgets its scholars, what else does it eventually forget?Do tune in to this compelling podcast! Support Our PodcastsIf you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting The Dharma Dispatch podcast so we can offer more such interesting, informative and educational content related to Indian History, Sanatana Dharma, Hindu Culture and current affairs. It takes us months of rigorous research, writing and editing and significant costs to offer this labour of love.Ways you can Support The Dharma Podcast:* UPI: ddispatch@axl* Wallets, Netbanking, etc:* Click the button below to take a paid subscription. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedharmadispatch.substack.com/subscribe

For almost 100 years, a vast network of Marxists, Communists, and Leftists systematically took control of universities, textbooks, and classrooms. They indoctrinated nearly seven generations of students, turning education into an ideological factory.The result? Today’s GenZ — largely clueless about history, culture, and reality — has been carefully weaponized against their own parents, against Dharma, and against the idea of India itself.In this hard-hitting episode, we break down:• How the NEET agitation was engineered as political warfare• The century-long Marxist capture of Indian education• How an entire generation was turned into useful idiots against their own civilisationThis is not about NEET or paper leaks. This is about the long war for capturing India’s mind. If you believe India’s future cannot be left in the hands of those who hate its past, this podcast is for you. Support The Dharma Dispatch:UPI: ddispatch@axl Other: https://pages.razorpay.com/DonatetoDD This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedharmadispatch.substack.com/subscribe

Sadguru Sri Sridhara Swami was one of the illustrious Sadhus of the 20th century. His hilltop ashrama at Varadapura, near Shivamogga, is a renowned Punya Kshetra attracting lakhs of devotees throughout South India and abroad.Hailing from the glorious tradition of Samartha Ramadasa — the architect of Chhatrapati Sivaji, the sublime and exalted life of Sridhara Swami is deeply inspirational and profoundly humbling to put it mildly.From a very early age, in his student life, Sridhara Swami embarked on a life of asceticism and engaged in intense Japa and Tapas. This episode narrates some details of Sridhara Swami's daily routine as a teenager and student. It shows what an extraordinary role model he is for students of the contemporary period and future. This episode is a profound guide especially for Hindu parents in properly grooming their children and bringing them up with proper values and spiritual ideals. Do listen in!If you found this episode useful and inspiring, please consider supporting The Dharma Dispatch so we can offer more such interesting, informative and educational content related to Indian History, Sanatana Dharma, Hindu Culture and current affairs. It takes us weeks of focussed research, writing and rigorous editing and significant costs to offer this labour of love.Your support really means a lot!Ways you can Support Support via UPI: ddispatch@axl Other: https://pages.razorpay.com/DonatetoDDScan the QR Code below: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedharmadispatch.substack.com/subscribe

THIS EPISODE traces the origins of the so-called Khilafat Movement to the destruction of the Ottoman Caliphate by the British. The Ashraf or Muslim elite in India were outraged at this event and began to provoke the Indian Muslim community for the restoration of the Caliphate. The Khilafat Movement was led by two brothers, Muhammad Ali Jauhar and Shaukat Ali, popularly known as the Ali Brothers. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi volunteered to support this lethal agitation aimed at reviving Muslim political power in India. It had nothing to with the freedom struggle against the British. The childish statements and outrageous behaviour of Gandhi in support of the Khilafat Movement truly defies description. Do watch this thrilling episode that offers priceless perspectives and sharp analysis about crucial events related to the Indian National Congress and freedom struggle. Heartfelt Appeal If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting The Dharma Podcast so we can offer more such interesting, informative and educational content related to Indian History, Sanatana Dharma, Hindu Culture and current affairs. It takes us months of rigorous research, writing and editing and significant costs to offer this labour of love.Your support is invaluable in sustaining our labour of love. Ways you can Support The Dharma Podcast:* UPI: ddispatch@axl* Wallets, Netbanking, etc.* Take a paid subscription. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedharmadispatch.substack.com/subscribe

In 1927, the Nehru family was invited as Soviet Russia’s state guests to witness and participate in a celebration to commemorate one decade of the Great October Communist Revolution of 1917.When the whole world was bitterly critical of Russia’s massive shortages and unemployment, Nawab Nehru didn’t seem surprised that he was provided a luxury class train compartment all sponsored by the USSR.For four days, the Russian government lavishly wined and dined and entertained Nawab Nehru. By the time he returned to India, he was transformed into an incurable Soviet addict.Do listen to this full story which does not find mention in any mainstream narratives about the Congress party and the Nehru dynasty.Support Our PodcastsIf you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting The Dharma Dispatch podcast so we can offer more such interesting, informative and educational content related to Indian History, Sanatana Dharma, Hindu Culture and current affairs. It takes us months of rigorous research, writing and editing and significant costs to offer this labour of love.Ways you can Support The Dharma Podcast:* UPI: ddispatch@axl* Wallets, Netbanking, etc.* Click the button below to take a paid subscription. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedharmadispatch.substack.com/subscribe

Bahadur Shah Zafar was a nominal king living off the pension provided by the East India Company. Instead of leading the freedom struggle, he actually betrayed it along with his wife, Zeenat Mahal. Yet, for the longest time, our history books and popular discourse have celebrated him as a great warrior of Indian independence. Tune into the full podcast to understand the real truth behind such important episodes of Indian history.Support Our PodcastsIf you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting The Dharma Dispatch podcast so we can offer more such interesting, informative and educational content related to Indian History, Sanatana Dharma, Hindu Culture and current affairs. It takes us months of rigorous research, writing and editing and significant costs to offer this labour of love.Ways you can Support The Dharma Podcast:* UPI: ddispatch@axl* Wallets, Netbanking, etc.* Click the button below to take a paid subscription. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedharmadispatch.substack.com/subscribe

The phenomenal and continued success of smash hit Dhurandhar: The Revenge has sent Bollywood relics into panic mode. As usual, they are hollering about how it is a propaganda film. They simply don’t know what hit them and even worse, are unable to cope with the aftermath.This time around, even the Tamil film industry — also called Dravidawood — is outraged at its success and record-breaking collections even after two weeks. Notable people who branded Dhurandhar as a propaganda movie include Vetrimaran, Ameer and Prakash Raj. This episode decodes the hypocrisy and the real truth of these so-called filmmakers and actors who are actually the real propagandists.Join the conversation! Support Our PodcastsIf you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting The Dharma Dispatch podcast so we can offer more such interesting, informative and educational content related to Indian History, Sanatana Dharma, Hindu Culture and current affairs. It takes us months of rigorous research, writing and editing and significant costs to offer this labour of love.Ways you can Support The Dharma Podcast:* UPI: ddispatch@axl* Wallets, Netbanking, etc.* Click the button below to take a paid subscription. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedharmadispatch.substack.com/subscribe

SOUND ENGINEER A.R. RAHMAN who played the victim card during his recent BBC interview generated a nationwide backlash. By accusing the Hindu community of being divisive, he has finally taken off his mask. A first generation Hindu convert to Islam, Rahman has displayed overt zeal in proving his loyalty to his adopted faith.Listen to this podcast episode discussing A.R. Rahman's career trajectory and politics and his ingratitude shown against the very community that made him successful and wealthy.Support Our PodcastsIf you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting The Dharma Dispatch podcast so we can offer more such interesting, informative and educational content related to Indian History, Sanatana Dharma, Hindu Culture and current affairs. It takes us months of rigorous research, writing and editing and significant costs to offer this labour of love.Ways you can Support The Dharma Podcast:* UPI: ddispatch@axl* Wallets, Netbanking, etc.* Take a paid subscription. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedharmadispatch.substack.com/subscribe