What if one of the earliest revolts against British rule in India… was led not by kings or soldiers—but by monks?In this episode of Stories of an Era Gone By with Dr. Shubho Chatterjee, we uncover the powerful and often forgotten story of the Sanyasi Rebellion—one of the first organized resistances against the British East India Company in the 18th century.Set against the backdrop of the devastating Great Bengal Famine of 1770, this episode explores how Hindu Sanyasis and Muslim Fakirs rose together in defiance of oppression, heavy taxation, and colonial control. From guerrilla-style attacks to legendary leaders like Majnu Shah, this is a story of courage, unity, and resistance.Discover how the Sanyasi Rebellion (1763–1800) not only challenged British authority but also inspired literary works like Anandamath by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay—a novel that gave India its iconic national song, Vande Mataram.

In the chaos of World War II, when the lines between right and wrong began to blur, a group of Indian soldiers made a choice that set them apart. Stationed in war-torn Italy in 1943, they stood not just against the enemy—but against injustice within their own ranks, injustice committed by their counterparts from the other allied countries.

At a time when civilians, especially women, were vulnerable even to those meant to protect them, these soldiers chose courage over conformity. They intervened, resisted, and defended the dignity of strangers—proving that humanity can survive even in the darkest moments of war.

This episode is a powerful reminder that while history records victories, it is humanity that leaves a lasting legacy.

This episode narrates the story of Shubhrak, the valiant and loyal horse of Maharaja Karan Singh. According to popular belief, Shubhrak not only saved the life of Karan Singh but also killed Qutub-Ud-Din Aibak. Though there are no historical records to support this, documents do mention that Qutub-Ud-Din Aibak died after falling from a horse while playing polo.

Thus the story of Qutub-Ud-Din Aibak being killed by Shubhrak may or may not be true. This podcast doesn't lay any claim on the authenticity of this incident.

The other incidents and battles mentioned in this podcast are based on historical facts.

The episode, "The Story of Tea- Part 2", traces the journey of tea from China to Europe and then to India, the country which eventually became the largest consumer of tea in the world.

The episode also talks about the discovery of an indigenous variety of tea in India, in the year 1823. It narrates the incidents that led to the beginning of tea cultivation in India in the 1830s.

This episode of the podcast "Stories of an Era Gone By" narrates the story of the accidental discovery of tea, five thousand years ago, by a Chinese emperor and how it made its way from China to other Asian countries like Japan and Korea.

This episode will be followed by another episode that would trace the journey of tea from Asia to Europe and then to India.

This episode narrates the story of Roshogolla/Rasgulla and how it came into existence. It tells the story of the inventor of Roshogolla who went on to earn the monicker "Columbus of Roshogolla". The episode also talks about another strongly held belief that links Roshogolla to the Jagannath Temple of Puri and attributes its origin to Lord Jagannath of Puri.

The podcast “Stories of an Era Gone By” with Dr. Shubho