Ep 253 - How One Man's Greed Shook India's Last Great Empire | Dr. Uday S Kulkarni (Author)

In this episode of the Bharatvaarta podcast, we explore the rich tapestry of Maratha history with Dr. Uday S Kulkarni, a naval surgeon turned historian, discussing his latest book, 'Raghoba, The Assassination of Narayana Rao Peshwa.' The conversation reveals the challenges and triumphs of historical research, including accessing archives and overcoming biases. Dr. Uday S Kulkarni sheds light on significant events during the Maratha Empire, such as the Battle of Panipat and the first Anglo-Maratha War, while addressing topics like discrimination under Mughal rule and the strategic evolution of Maratha artillery. With reflections on unity, leadership, and cultural renaissance, this episode presents a comprehensive narrative on the impact and legacy of the Maratha Empire. Buy the book: https://amzn.in/d/adSFe16 Topics: 00:00 Sneak peak 02:08 Introduction 04:04 Dr. Uday's Journey from Medicine to History 06:55 Importance of Maratha History 11:00 Process of writing history 16:40 Being an outsider to writing history 21:53 History and Politics 24:24 Cultural Renaissance During the Maratha Period 27:56 Unknown facets of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj 30:04 Temple Restoration Efforts 31:30 Decline of the Maratha Empire 33:18 Shivaji Maharaj's Tactics and Nationalism 34:31 Significance of Narayanrao Peshwa’s Assassination 35:37 Battle of Panipat and Its Aftermath 39:34 Raghunath Rao's Ambitions and Conflicts 44:52 Role of Anandibai and the Ghardis 50:16 Consequences and Decline of the Maratha Empire 54:25 Reflections on Indian History and Unity 57:39 Future of Historical Narratives 01:00:48 Dr. Kulkarni’s Upcoming Work and Conclusion