Dr Vikram Sampath is the author of eight books including two-volume biography of VD Savarkar. In 2021, the Bengaluru-based historian was chosen as a fellow for the Royal Historical Society of the United Kingdom. In this edition of Podcast with Smita Prakash, the young author-cum-historian talks about India's glorious history; the unsung heroes including civilisational warriors. He elaborates how Lalitaditya Muktapida in the 7th century not only stopped the Arabs from entering India but also conquered parts of Afghanistan and extended his kingdom upto Tibet and China. Dr Sampath speaks about the heroic queens Rani Abakka and Ahilyabai Holkar and explains how the notion that Arab invaders plundered Hindu temples in India only for economic considerations is “bunkum”. He also delves into details about Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan while explaining why Indian Muslims should be inspired by Dara Shikoh and not Ghazni and Ghori. The discussion on the origin and ownership of Mysore Pak serves as a dessert in the podcast.