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Goalhanger · History

Empire: World History

The rise and fall of empires and the events that shaped world history. William Dalrymple and Anita Anand explore the intricate stories of revolutions, imperial wars, and the people who built and lost empires. From the British Empire to the Ottomans to Ancient India, history is shaped by power struggles and territorial conquests. How does it continue to affect the world today? Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, book discounts, and access to our members’ chatroom on Discord! Head to empirepoduk.com to sign up. For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com.

Episodes

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329. Indian Uprising 1857: The British Raj is Born (Part 8)

29 Jan 2026
41m
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The episode concludes the series on the Great Uprising of 1857, focusing on the events in Lucknow. It highlights Lucknow's unique status as a mass movement of resistance, contrasting it with the more fractured rebellion in Delhi. Begum Hazrat Mahal's role as the soul of the resistance is explored, emphasizing her cleve...

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328. Indian Uprising 1857: The Reign of Terror (Part 7)

27 Jan 2026
48m
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The episode delves into the British assault on Delhi during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, highlighting the stark contrast between the well-equipped British forces and the divided, isolated rebel factions. The discussion covers the 10-day siege, the psychological impact on Delhi's population, and the religious fervor dr...

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327. Indian Uprising 1857: The British Strike Back (Part 6)

22 Jan 2026
48m
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The podcast episode centers on the 1857 uprising against British rule in Delhi, exploring the chaos and shifting dynamics within the city after the British were initially driven out. It highlights the convergence of sepoys from across India on Delhi, aiming to restore Mughal authority, and the internal conflicts that a...

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326. Indian Uprising 1857: India’s Joan of Arc – Rani of Jhansi (Part 5)

20 Jan 2026
1h 3m
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The podcast explores the story of Rani Lakshmibai, a prominent figure in the Indian Mutiny of 1857, examining both her heroic image and the complex historical reality. It challenges the traditional Indian narrative of pure rebellion, revealing her initial attempts to collaborate with the British and her eventual forced...

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325. Indian Uprising 1857: The Siege of Lucknow (Part 4)

15 Jan 2026
54m
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The podcast delves into the Great Indian Uprising of 1857, specifically focusing on the events in Lucknow. It highlights Lucknow's significance as a wealthy city and a center of resistance against British rule, distinguishing it from Delhi. The discussion covers the massacres at Kanpur, which fueled British vengeance, ...

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324. Indian Uprising 1857: Massacre and Revenge in Kanpur (Part 3)

13 Jan 2026
52m
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The podcast examines the 1857 Great Uprising, focusing on the events at Kanpur, remembered as a dark chapter due to the massacres at Satyacharagat and Bibighar. It highlights Asimullah Khan and Nana Sahib's roles in stoking the uprising, noting Nana Sahib's transformation from a British-influenced figure to a leader of...

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323. Indian Uprising 1857: The Rebels March On Delhi (Part 2)

08 Jan 2026
53m
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The podcast explores the eruption of the Indian Mutiny of 1857 in Delhi, focusing on the perspectives of key figures and the immediate aftermath of the initial uprising. It examines Zafar's dilemma in choosing to support the rebels, the religious undertones of the mutiny, and the class divisions within Delhi that influ...

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322. Indian Uprising 1857: The Mutiny (Part 1)

06 Jan 2026
50m
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The podcast explores the lead-up to the 1857 War of Independence, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny, focusing on the reign of the last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, and the growing tensions in Delhi. It examines the shift in British attitudes from admiration to arrogance and the rise of evangelicalism, contrasting f...

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321. Exploding Rum-filled Coffins, Anglo-Indian Sisterhood, & Julia Margaret Cameron

01 Jan 2026
50m
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320. Photos That Shook The World: Exposing Leopold in The Congo

30 Dec 2025
46m
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319. Heist of St Nicolas: The Medieval Mafia Who Stole Santa (Part 2)

25 Dec 2025
32m
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In this episode of Empire, hosts Afua Hirsch and William Dalrymple are joined by Sam Dalrymple, author of Shattered Lands, to discuss the story of how St. Nicholas's relics were stolen from Myra in 1087 and the subsequent spread of the St. Nicholas cult. The discussion covers the motives behind the heist, the roles of ...

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318. Heist of St Nicolas: Raiding Santa's Tomb (Part 1)

23 Dec 2025
32m
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In this Christmas special of the Empire podcast, hosts Afua Hirsch and William Dalrymple are joined by Sam Dalrymple to discuss the origins of Santa Claus, or St. Nicholas. They delve into St. Nicholas's tomb in Lycia, Southern Turkey, and explore the region's rich history, including Greek, Persian, and Roman influence...

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317. Churchill's Photographer: From Escaping Genocide to MLK

18 Dec 2025
48m
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316. Hitler's Photographer: Nazi Secrets, Eva Braun, & Escaping Justice

16 Dec 2025
47m
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Introducing: The Rest Is Science

12 Dec 2025
13m
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315. Controversy, Colonialism, & V.S. Naipaul

11 Dec 2025
44m
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314. Rudyard Kipling: Villain or Visionary? (Part 3)

09 Dec 2025
47m
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313. Rudyard Kipling: Escaping India & Writing The Jungle Book (Part 2)

04 Dec 2025
33m
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312. Rudyard Kipling: Son of Empire (Part 1)

02 Dec 2025
25m
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311. Cricket In India: Beating The Brits At Their Own Game (Part 2)

27 Nov 2025
41m
Page 5

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