A disturbing new trend is in evidence on television screens in India – that of self-proclaimed television “historians” and “experts” – ubiquitous across drawing rooms, and influential beyond compare.

The phenomenon has gained rank particularly since the BJP came to power, with the uber-masculine personage of Narendra Modi at the fore. There seem to be more ‘TV historians’ than there are news channels – ever ready to defend indefensible political positions with recourse to “history”.