In this onversation with Harleen Singh — author of The Lost Heer — we dive into the forgotten voices of Punjabi women.

From widowed rulers who stood against invaders and the British, to the folk songs, recipes and textiles that carried memory and resistance through colonial Punjab.

Harleen Singh's work brings these overlooked stories back into the centre of South Asian history.

The Lost Heer challenges how we think about gender, power and the past — and this episode gives you a glimpse of that powerful re-telling.

In 1945, the world celebrated Allied victory in World War II — but across Asia, the war didn’t end. It simply changed shape, sparking new battles for freedom and the end of empire.

In this episode, historian Phil Craig joins Ramblings of a Sikh to discuss his new book, 1945: The Reckoning, the final volume in his acclaimed trilogy on the Second World War. Through the intertwined stories of five people — an Indian nationalist, a loyalist soldier, a nurse in famine-stricken Bengal, a doctor at Belsen, and a POW in Taiwan — Craig shows how “liberation” became a reckoning.

Why did British generals re-arm Japanese troops in Vietnam?

How did two Indian brothers, fighting on opposite sides, embody a nation at war with itself?

And what does it mean to say victory betrayed millions?

From the Bengal famine to the collapse of empire, this conversation explores how 1945 fractured families, toppled empires, and shaped the modern world we live in.

📘 Watch till the end for a discussion on how the promises of freedom made in 1945 still echo in today’s geopolitics.

In this fascinating episode, we are joined by Professor Stephen Morillo, a renowned historian and leading expert on medieval warfare. Together, we explore the strategies, cultures, and justifications that shaped how wars were fought during the medieval era. From the clash of swords to the march of armies, Professor Morillo reveals how medieval warfare was influenced by cultural beliefs, subsistence methods, and geopolitical structures.

This insightful discussion examines major cultural divides — such as the contrast between the nomadic horse cultures of the steppes and the sedentary agricultural societies — while unpacking the customs and rules that governed warfare across regions.

If you are passionate about medieval history, military strategy, or the cultural forces that defined the way wars were waged, this is an episode you will not want to miss.

What if the Sikh Empire wasn’t born on the battlefield, but in the library? 📚

In this teaser for our Road to Empire podcast with author Satnam Singh, we explore the intellectual and political foundations of the Khalsa before the rise of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. From the Anandpur court of Guru Gobind Singh to the literature of the Mughal and Sanskrit worlds, this conversation reveals how stories, ideas, and philosophies shaped Sikh ideas of sovereignty.

We discuss how the Khalsa balanced rahit (discipline) and rajniti (politics), how translations from Persian and Sanskrit influenced Sikh thought, and why the Sikhs were fighting not just battles — but for an idea of Raj that empires could never destroy.

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Professor Brian Villmoare, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as we explore the grand narrative of the universe.

Drawing from his book The Evolution of Everything: The Patterns and Causes of Big History, Professor Villmoare examines the interconnectedness of the cosmos, life, and human societies. This episode challenges the traditional view that history is shaped solely by great figures or singular ideas, instead highlighting the gradual transformations in technology, culture, and society that have woven the fabric of our existence.

Discover how the evolution of the universe — from the Big Bang to the rise of human civilisation — has followed patterns that reveal the hidden forces shaping our world. If you are intrigued by the mysteries of the cosmos, life, and the story of humanity, this is a must-watch.

Join Sathnam Sanghera on a transformative journey to uncover the hidden truths of British imperialism — a controversial legacy that continues to shape global dynamics and modern society. Inspired by his acclaimed book EmpireWorld, Sanghera confronts the far-reaching consequences of imperialism, emphasizing the critical role of historical accountability, decolonization, and cross-cultural perspectives.

In this powerful exploration, Sanghera delves into the darker aspects of the British Empire’s history, exposing its enduring impact on social justice, cultural identity, and ethnic narratives. Through a lens of decolonial thought and historical awareness, he offers a nuanced perspective on the empire’s influence on contemporary issues, including race relations, colonial legacies, and the ongoing fight for equity and justice.

This thought-provoking video challenges viewers to rethink their understanding of imperialism, shedding light on often-overlooked stories and fostering crucial conversations about the importance of confronting the past to build a more equitable future. With unflinching honesty, Sanghera highlights the lasting impacts of colonialism, sparking insights into how we can embrace a more inclusive and accurate understanding of history.

Discover the untold story of Indian soldiers during the Gallipoli Campaign of World War I in this fascinating discussion with Professor Peter Stanley, one of Australia’s leading military historians.

This video explores the sacrifices, challenges, and hidden histories of over 16,000 Indian soldiers who served in one of the most brutal battles of WWI.

Learn about their role in the first major amphibious operation of modern warfare—and how their contributions, often overlooked, helped shape the course of history.

Dive deep into this riveting topic, brought to you by Ramblings of a Sikh, and gain a unique perspective on this historic event.

Subscribe for more insights into military history, cultural heritage, and hidden narratives.

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Join us for an exclusive interview with G.S. Nawepindiya, where he shares insights into his vibrant Punjabi music career and the rich heritage of Sikh culture.

In this conversation, he reveals the creative process behind his latest album and offers his thoughts on the evolution of Punjabi music. With captivating discussions about Sikh history, his personal experiences, and the cultural influence of his music, this video is a must-watch for Punjabi music lovers, history enthusiasts, and fans of G.S. Nawepindiya.

Sam Dalrymple joins me for a powerful conversation about his book Shattered Lands: Five Partitions and the Making of Modern Asia, where he unpacks how India went through multiple partitions, not just the 1947 split.

We explore the Partition of Bengal, the Partition of Punjab, the role of the Muslim League, and the mass migrations that followed. From the politics of Jinnah, Nehru, Gandhi, and Mountbatten to the creation of Pakistan and the eventual liberation of Bangladesh, this episode dives deep into the people, borders, and decisions that shaped the subcontinent and so much more.

Sam argues that 1947 was just one moment in a much longer story of borders being drawn, redrawn, and broken apart.

Each event, from the partition of Burma to other lesser known divisions, has left lasting scars. We discuss the historical context and consequences of these partitions, including the 1937 separation of Burma, the forgotten detachment of the Gulf states and Yemen, and how princely state politics quietly shaped much of today’s India Pakistan border.

We also dive into the creation of Bangladesh in 1971, which Sam calls the real moment the modern map of South Asia was made.

What makes this episode special is how personal and human the history feels. Sam shares stories from Project Dastaan, the emotional process of reconnecting families across divided lands, and how even nationalist narratives often unravel when you ask someone about their childhood best friend from “the other side.”

This is history through memory, migration, and moments that still shape the region today.

Watch the full conversation and let me know in the comments: Which partition do you think left the deepest mark?

🛒 Pick up a copy of Shattered Lands from my bookshop:

👉 ramblingsofasikh.co.uk

🎙️ How Much Museum Art Was Legally Acquired? 🤔

Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Prof. Erin Thompson — the world’s first professor of Art Crime at John Jay College (CUNY).

We explore:

– How museums acquire and label stolen artifacts

– The secret world of forgery, smuggling & sacred object theft

– Museum cover-ups and colonial legacies

– The ethics of repatriation and controversial monuments

💬 Prof. Thompson (@artcrimeprof) is a leading voice in museum ethics and cultural heritage protection. She’s worked on major repatriation cases and helped expose how looted objects make their way into museum collections.

📚 Her book Smashing Statues: The Rise and Fall of America’s Public Monuments dives into the politics of monuments and the fight over their removal.

🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into history, art, and heritage theft.