“Indian Civilization is an Idea But Also an Enigma”: Author of ‘Indians’

[@user-tf1cn9ve5n]

Not many people are saying this, but the series was quite balanced and intellectually nourishing.

[@Signalfromabove]

Fantastic work, as a non indian i was very impressed with the non biased information given in the whole series
I would definitely recommend it to a wider audience who is interested in Indian history
Well done 👍

[@jamilakoshy3324]

Such a pleasure listening to this.
Loved "Indians".
Thanks!

[@jidrit999]

Lot of nonsense in that

[@AnirimaGhosh]

The only thing about the series I didn’t like: that series ended. Wish there was more to it.

[@Dogmatix1950]

Yes, I agree. There are still so many holes which could have been filled admirably by Mr Arora.

[@TMTyoutube]

haha well history is only so much. we are adding to it as we speak.

[@VijayKumar-jk4wj]

this book is entirely correct..

[@sathyansundar]

Saw all the 10 episodes with my family members. The positive notes on them was the repeated reaffirmation that the civilization of India didn't commence with the Vedic (otherwise Brahminic Aryan concepts) scriptures and the epics. The surprise and disappointing feature is what Namit himself admitted and felt sympathetic about the exclusion of the south. One episode on the Vijaynagar empire will not do any justice to the contributions that south has made. The naval expeditions and expansion of the Cholas were completely ignored, which put India on the maritime history of the world was sadly avoided. On these line, Namit Arora sadly sat on the same lines to his North Indian predecessors on the subject. Sympathies and apologies won't fix things, only actions will, if we want to the tell the world, the story of India.

[@Indian-xj5ww]

Disagree. Do you not remember episode 4, "The Ikshvakus of Andhra Pradesh", and half of episode 7, on Marco Polo's visit to the coastal south? Add episode 8 on Vijayanagar and that's 2.5 episodes out of 10 devoted entirely to the south (plus others bits here and there).

[@sathyansundar]

@@Indian-xj5ww Agree and disagree. Yes here and there...not fully. So even based on your view of 2.5 episodes out of 10, doesn't justify.

[@gopalaraodasari7743]

How can one forget the cholas ?!

[@shrinidhikulkarni479]

The series is amazing. I want it will be translated to all Indian languages.

[@Rizwan-Ali]

This shows if you follow your passion you can make a change through your work.

[@atompf24]

Every Saturday I eagerly waited for each episode of Namit Arora’s video series. It was brilliant!

[@Dogmatix1950]

Absolutely agree with you.

[@DigitUnni]

Mashallah

[@jamilkhan715]

Great. I have seen all his videos. To me it was an eye opener. Grateful to karan also for his very positive view about indo pak relations.

[@lingunite]

"hindutwa scholar is an oxymoron" spot on!

[@Dogmatix1950]

@@FreddieMurphy746 Wonder, was this supposed to be a debate? Or, was it just a conversation to know more about the author and his works?

[@JthElement]

@@FreddieMurphy746There does not have to be 'the other side'. Its not black and white. Sometimes there is only one side or there are many sides. Most things are not binary. And, there is nothing to 'rebut' here. Why don't you do it, wisecrack, rather than leaving a vague comment?

[@therash09]

Every radical scholar is an oxymoron, be it Hindutvavaadi, Ummahvaadi, Khalistani, Vaampanthi. Every right wing and left wing indoctrination is horrible and dangerous.

[@sreedhark.r.1532]

@lingunite. Comment from a Hindutvavadi
Thanks for your arrogant Comment.
Please be in your elitist bubble, so that we can reach out to all section of society

[@lingunite]

@@sreedhark.r.1532 I don't know somebody misread me. I meant a sensible and scholastic person cannot be a bigot

[@RameshJain]

I loved your series on interesting and insightful discussions. This one is one of the best. We need to understand India among all that is being said about us - Indians - mostly by uninformed people. Mr Arora is one of the most honest and bold Indians, I know.

[@arjun.cheeroth]

Thank you Karan for this interview. I'm a regular viewer but i have to admit i ignored Namit Aroras series when it was initially released. Thanks to this interview i started watching it and i have to say It's one of the best explanations of indian history that I've encountered. I'll have to read the book now!

[@ianc.dawkinsmoore513]

Thank you, Namit. I've always been interested in Indian history and culture, but it overwhelms me. There's so much to learn. Your program makes Indian history accessible. I'm a student of European, African, and U.S. History. I too was trained as an engineer and found the focus on detail a useful tool to look at history with an objective eye. Your videos and book (I've just bought it) allow me to get a brilliant overview of this immense subject. Thank you. Namaste.

[@sm9214]

There are two kinds of historians in India. One writes from the Indians' view of the alien occupiers, invaders and rapists. The other one writes on deputation for the latter.

[@Cloudninerains]

Indian history is not an enigma, if it is understood through the lens of 'Journey of a Civilization', a book written by R. Balakrishnan, 'Early Indians' by Tony Joseph, and seeing it through the linguistics and literary works in Tamil. Their works connect the missing links for India ancient substratum. Also, it is a mistake approaching it only in the lens of religion and philosophies, but not in terms of material culture.

[@gangadharhiremath7306]

"Hindutwa scholar is an oxymoron..."
Karan Thapar's gleeful smile at this statement is truly memorable.

[@justicelovermeenaji]

timestamps?

[@zoojarlakdawala9915]

Sir, you bring the analytical mind of the engineer to weave the complex cultural, social and political fabric of our history.

[@debashistalukdar5523]

Learnt a great deal about Indian history from his webseries. Sadly I cant remember all the dates and names from history, but I am glad that I am learning the right unbiased unbigoted history. I believe, in order for one to know ones present and future the right way, its of paramount importance to know and learn the history the right way.

[@jidrit999]

this is not unbigoted history. this is biases towards brahmins

[@debashistalukdar5523]

@@jidrit999 Is it shame and guilt thats making you hide behind this rejection of history. Will you also then deny that Ambedkar wasn't one of victims of caste based oppression?

[@jidrit999]

@@debashistalukdar5523 whole of history is not caste Based oppression, neither all Brahmins were like that. Bhakti movement was reform movement in this direction where many Upper caste so called participated n has disciples from all castes. This series however whitewashed all brutality of islamic rule on hindus. This video series has not done any justification to spiritual prowess of Hindus and made many unproven claims like Brahminism finished Buddhism. This is not surprising as this video is sponsored by Raza academy

[@debashistalukdar5523]

@@jidrit999 of course not, the author is not polarized for sure. And may be not all upper castes were delusional. Like not all Germans picked up weapons against jews, but 6 million jews did die at the hands of Germans. So if a German says history is biased against them, guess your stomach will turn. Moreover evils were done by hindu kings upon others as well. But their religion is not dragged in to fit a popular narrative, like the current one. Moreover history is for education, not exact revenge, coz no one is clean I guess. So a request, let's just keep it that way. Enjoy history, learn from it with open mind.

[@CommanderAnuragSaxena]

It was a delight to see Mr Namit being interviewed by Karan.

[@Ratv57]

Fantastic series and interesting as well. Loved it. Also a great discussion and erudite answers by Namit. Well done

[@lakshmipalanichamy5015]

Excellent interview ..same holds good for the series..very very interesting and informative…👍👏👌…glad we still have good intellect in our country 🙏

[@AReo-pl1eq]

Thank you, brilliant work for the country, Namit 🙏

[@m.r.barkaati3190]

Karan Thapar, you are a fearless and honest journalist. I remember that you had interviewed Modi ji, during which Modi ji had to ask for water because he was not able to answer any question. I wish you could interview the PM again. Take it and ask about the problems of the people. Our PM speaks his mind but does not listen to the people. It seems that our country India is in the hands of a dictator.

[@1008apocalypse1008]

Karan Thapar should interview Muslim politicians and ask about सर तन से जुदा, हलाला, तीन तलाक, 😅

[@sm9214]

​@1008apocalypse1008 Muslims make demands on the basis of religion.
But shamelessly beg democracies to treat them on tolerance.

[@user-ho2bm5gv2i]

​@@1008apocalypse1008❤❤ sanghi janvaron ko aql Kam he

[@Sarthakkumarpal]

Are you joking! Modi only gives interview to equals such as Akshay Kumar😂

[@budsurtees4224]

It SEEMS? There is no seeming. India IS now a fascist state. It was never a true democracy to begin with, considering its feudal past and mindset, but with Modi India has given up all pretensions at being a democracy.

[@Oceansta]

This series is truly remarkable. Will be a hard pill to swallow on some level for andhbhakhts.

[@seemadar4331]

I must commend you both for your delightful interview. Great questions and answers!🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@baggamohit]

“Awesome” just one word to tag this episode

[@armandomalgani5226]

So interesting. I am from the Canary Islands, always been, and i have no connections to the Indian subcontinent. Yet i find fascinating the history and culture of its people. You truly should be proud of your heritage❤️✌️

[@ashokddani]

Great interview. Both Karan and Mr Aurora

[@harendragautam872]

Thanks!

[@chandrikaroy1060]

Excellent interview. I had watched all the episodes and they were great. Thanks to Karan Thaper and Namit Arora.

[@sainair]

Excellent discussion. This was long overdue. I wanted this discussion between Karan and Namit. Eagerly waiting for Namit's upcoming book.

[@CjK007Bond]

Thanks for this interview Karan , I’ve watched all of Namit’s web series episodes, and it changed my perspective towards history specially towards Mughal history.

[@vishaalbhatnagar3924]

Great conversation! Great historical series. ❤

[@srim6671]

Funny how the author can’t hide his biases. Brahminism is not a religion. Otherwise a good discussion

[@ranganathanv5365]

Namit Arora' episodes are a wonderful way to jump start the learning on Indian history

[@ejazwaliyar]

The positive gesture in questioning about Pakistan is admirable

[@binduearath807]

Great work 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@sanjeevsharma-jh8jo]

Namit has decoded our past credibly. Loved it.

[@sanjeevsharma-jh8jo]

@@Rajasthani710
Great ! You know a lot. Perhaps! You are direct creation of Pushkar Pond or Yagna that took place in the mount Abu. Satya MeV Jayate. Vasudev Kutumbcum. मूरख ह्रदय न चेत ज्यों गुरू मिलिहं विरचं सम। खुस रहो। दूधो नहाओ पूतो फलो। अब कोई सम्राट नहीं होगा। जनता को ठगने वाला ठग अवश्य हो सकता है। रस्सी जल जाती है पर एठन नहीं जाती है। जय हो। 🌼🌺🌼

[@kalebj7001]

Wish this series covered more topics from ancient and mediaeval India.. really loved the presentations

[@satishwig5461]

Four thousand years Vedanta philosophy dismissal by remarks, Hindutva philosophers oxymoron. He spoke nasty things about Hindu culture and practices but not a word about Vedanta philosophy although he claimed that he studied philosophy?

[@AlokAsthana1954]

Excellent work by Namit Arora. Top class.

[@JetFlash512MB]

To the great audience an question , who has viewed the video series by this historian
1. The historian do comments that Santini's/Hinduism giving Lord Buddha status as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu is a political ploy.
But if u ask them about Akbar giving Rajputs a place in his administration then they will say that there was no politics in that and that was done out of love or compassion for his subjects.
So whatever spirutualists does , that is done out of political acumen but when real politician take some action , that is done because of love & compassion.

[@senmuthuraj]

Good interview with an excellent human being whose mission is to tell the history as it happened ( good and bad things) without bias.

[@santoshpillai6945]

Dear Mr. Arora
You are an inspiration.
I purchased the book as i was watching this interview. Look forward to some great reading.
I happened to see the Vijaynagar episode and got hooked to it.
Even more excited to know that you are an engineer with passion for history. I am also an engineer with a liking for history. You are my role model.

[@souparnadhar7034]

Hello, Mr. Pillai as you said you brought the book can you give a brief review about it? I was also planning to buy Namit Arora's book. Are there more information in the book than there are in the series?

[@dheerajbhardwaj986]

Absolutely loved the series

[@whywhywhy2182]

An astonishing work by Amit Arora. I have been regularly watching all his episodes, particularly happened to watch the one with Satavahana kings, as I was curious to know about history of that part of region. Subsequently, I have made it a point not to miss any of the episodes. Infact, his narration made to buy that book and it gave me opportunity to learn more about true version of history based on logic and documentary evidence. Really appreciate the author to bring his series of episodes and the book in this timeline, where one has think twice before expressing one's rational opinion on matters of migration of Aryans, many other contentious issues like birthplace of ...etc.

[@nasirmustafa2492]

Great work, indeed. We are descendents of a great civilization.

[@seetaramaraomamidi3179]

Recently, a book authored by Kalluri Bhaskaram in Telugu " These are our roots " (ఇవీ మన మూలాలు) is launched. It is extensively researched encompassing many disciplines , genetics, archaeology,social ,cultural, linguistic, religious, literary. He traces human evolution from about 70000 years to the present and how indian civilization has evolved with scientific proofs. In this effort he opens new windows to dwell upon. I need to read repeatedly to understand . There are extensive reviews in youtube about the book by a galaxy of personalities organised by "Mana manchi pusthakam ".
The book is published by Astra publishers.

[@prabhubharathan]

Another IT coolie writing a history book about India!

[@sonachenab]

Great interview..

[@fawadzakariya7480]

Namit did a great series, thanks to the Wire. Excellent for Karan to interview him.

[@ramakrishnarouthu6634]

V R Narla late journalist, wrote Raja Rammohan Roy made fervent appeals to the British for introduction of English edn in India. According to him, English education laid foundation for intellectual independence. I believe Narla was right in every respect.

[@mathewkurian3576]

Great interview. Thanks

[@tbs698]

I have watched/heard 3 sequels from IVC to Vijanagara kingdoms. Very interesting and enlightening.

[@bijayahamal1668]

Not a single Bhakata commenting on this comment section 😅. What a surprise 😂

[@AsadKhan-ii3es]

Excellent discussion...

[@IreneRosul-vy9zm]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@VijayKumar-jk4wj]

this book seems to be authentic and based on history.. facts..

[@nitinpatil9555]

Wonderful !

[@mohammedmurtaza3257]

One of the most outstanding interviews I've seen lately...

[@shrikantmahajan3750]

Lovely! One get pleased. The author namit seems to be narm(gentle )human being without any demands of celebrity status and recognition instead an inquisitive normal human being with big human heart and humane feelings! Well as I see how all the only three rulers are great of many ,the Alexander the ashoka the akbar these crude warriors rulers ultimately changed their own behaviour habits and actions and turn themselves from having anger and violence to gentleness and nonviolence thus correcting and winning humanity !

[@nandans2506]

What? 😂😂

[@kathirko]

Unsurprisingly yet unfortunately, this is a new view/perspective of Indian history for most Indians (particularly North Indians).
In Tamil Nadu and also most of Kerala, the perspective of India more or less aligns with what you have portrayed.
However, there is a perspective from the South. Unfortunately most of India refuses to consider it.

[@alani3992]

People of the South are just satisfied with domination of the North.
Delimiation will further quash them.

[@ekamsat429]

A couple of years of wait for the next title may prove to be too long if there is a politically motivated rapid backslide of the modern values.

[@envermasud2160]

Thank you Amit Arora and Karan Thapar. I'm thinking of using 'Indians: A Brief History of a Civilization’ to kick-off an educational series at my retirement community in the "data center capital of the world." - PS I too am an SSC graduate (1959)

[@gitanjalikhanduri314]

An excellent conversation.

[@snehalathaebenezer3035]

Watching this and listening to both of you was indeed a pleasure.

[@mdimtiyaz-zl5gp]

Good interview - namit arora is cool guy...

[@irfansayed414]

Karan Thapar's talk shows are unbelievably energizing. The element of 'informed' intellect adds such tremendous value that would only be attainable by umpteen hours of laboured effort. Thank you Mr. Arora for your dedicated adventures, motivated entirely by the search for history. Moreover, Pakistan and India get bonded for a moment! That's awesome, isn't it?

[@camelkarma]

😂. Because he is always soft on left leaning folks. His hard stance is nowhere to be seen.

[@Sarthakkumarpal]

To think of Hindutwa scholar is an oxymoron.

[@prettyamrita4909]

I just start to watch this interview because of one word Enigma because I also have this feeling after reading history there are so much missing of facts nd lots of chaos in our history

[@satishwig5461]

First, his series are liked by Pakistanis no doubt, on the platform of Raza Ali Academy . He has spoken nasty against Hinduism and Brahmanism, but not a word against brutalities committed Islamic invaders and Rulers, not a word about Sikh Gurus who were persecuted by Aurengzaib, not a word about lakhs people butchered by Timur, he has tried every manner to belittle Hindu culture and tradition.

[@chandreshbalar9413]

Thanks

[@Cloudninerains]

Now Amit should be careful. NIA might be at his door step anytime for colluding with Pakistan 😊.

[@getttganesh]

Great interview and a great historian, I love that Namur Arora’s series, must watch for all Indians

[@sanjaydubey5472]

Hamare Loktantrik Desh Bharat mein Loktantrik Moolyon ki Raksha Honee Chahiye.---- AJAM, Buxar, Bihar.

[@VijayKumar-jk4wj]

Is this book translated in hindi..

[@youknow6968]

Indian civilisation is an oxymoron.
Factually incorrect.
There's a difference between India the region, South Asia, and India that was created by the British and came into existence in 1947.
Before 1947, India was never a country, nor a nation. It was always merely a region, nothing more.

[@youknow6968]

@@Rajasthani710 please get serious, I'm tired of these childish echo chamber Indian points.
Bharat was named after a king of a tiny kingdom near Nepal.
And, secondly all religious texts have names in a story, it doesn't mean anything, we can't make grand conclusions from names in a religious story, it's ridiculous.
Just like bharat mata was taken from a play written little over 100 years ago, and it was bengla mata, not bharat mata, borrowed from that and now presented as something historical and much larger.
We're discussing history, not fantasies and wild conclusions taught to Indian citizens in the absence of any rational or factual discussions.
India is an echo chamber, stories have been created to justify the existence of a country created in 1947.
It took the British 100 years to reach from bengal to punjab, not because it was a single country, they conquered a region, by defeating many kingdoms. That's the story of every region in the world. They don't create childish stories based on lies and fantasies.
You guys live in a fantasy.

[@Dogmatix1950]

@@Rajasthani710 A kingdom in the northern parts of India.

[@Dogmatix1950]

@@youknow6968 Wow! You hit the nail on the head! We are now busy concocting history out of our febrile imaginations. We take a small piece of factual history and then spin a grand story around it suit our ideological inclinations, and then call it modern history (as opposed to colonial version).

[@Dogmatix1950]

@@Rajasthani710 Many 'fantastic' things too were mentioned in these epic stories. Are we to believe them too?

[@Dogmatix1950]

@@Rajasthani710 Perhaps you need a crash course in history. Columbus did not venture to find Bharatvarsha. He sailed to find India, or rather a shorter way to India. At that time India was the richest nation in the world trading in spices, textiles, and other goodies. India was known from the times of the Romans, and even earlier. Even the people of IVC/Harappan Civilisation traded with Mesopotamia. So please get your "chronology" right.

[@ericbanasea]

Watched the whole series recently. Commendable work by Namit. He has very softly refuted the ideas of Hindutwa as well as other religions.

[@praveensinha6154]

Why so much debate and research about Indian History. Isn't it written on the face of Indians of different strata . It can be read there.

[@badone3009]

Man, why winging, people from south India are Madrasies, drifted from north of Australia and known as Abroginese.

[@b.k.choudhary6443]

Both of you sre master in your chosen professions abd onky administration for both of you.❤

[@yahqappu74]

However he is abit biased on the Telugu rather than the Tamizh civilization which actually bears the continuum of IVC ....

[@Skyboy564]

Another deeply ideological and biased view of history.

[@shantakaram1]

I recommend to Viewes of this Episode to also read the Book: INDIANS- A brief History of a CIVILIZATION.
Of course as Mr. Arora says nowadays Video Format is more Popular and Convenient.
This Project concieved and executed by an IITian gives some scientific application of Mind.

[@imtu75]

Thank you!!!!

[@AvnishBhardwaz]

Did I hear it right Hindutva Scholars oxymoron? Big smile on Mr Thapar’s face.. it lit up with happiness 😅😂. It shows bias to me. BTW I am not linked to any particular school of thought, but it made me see hypocrisy.

[@ankur.mahajan]

Absolutely.

[@ANUJKUMAR-on4yg]

For better understand history,Visit “Bihar Museum” in Patna-the best museum in India..

[@smiritigoswamiclass-5.398]

We are always with neutral and intellectual media and Karan Thapar.❤😂🎉.

[@majidturk4752]

पता नहीं सभी लोग मिलकर प्रदर्शन क्यों नहीं करते इवीएम को हटाने के लिए 😢😢😢😢😢

[@1008apocalypse1008]

क्योंकि evm में कोई गड़बड़ नहीं है। तुम अपनी सोच बदलो। शरिया नहीं चलेगा।

[@amitavabhattacharya8759]

Excellent

[@surinderchowdhury]

A non historian promoted by the wire. You can understand the motivation. Mr. Arora talks like a primary school student who has read Audrey Truschke.

[@maheshsakalle1927]

The confidence of left historian have deeply shaken earlier they used to have free nevigation

[@alani3992]

You are free to watch hindtuva 'scholars', if that exists.

[@venkatraman9699]

@@alani3992 : Really??....You are all Albert Einsteins.....you guys are running for cover for a decade now. Who you think people like SaiDeepak, Anand Ranganathan or Vikram Sampath are?? How stupid of these people to talk nonsense.
whom do yo have Karan Thapar? What a Joke.

[@ramchander1688]

He is great historian ❤

[@karthiksekar3777]

20:13 "atleast read the Wikipedia page"
Meanwhile sangis: Wikipedia is western propaganda...

[@Adishiva.1205]

Scholars across the world specifically advise students to avoid Wikipedia. Not only DU, I saw Rutgers university syllabus on South Asia. Same view on Wikipedia- not to be trusted, not to be quoted in research papers

[@padminimirchandani1879]

Loved this episode. Look forward to watching the series.

[@sreedhark.r.1532]

Lik Aurangjeb even Nathooram Godese was also complex, complicated personality. Would you like to humanise Godse as you want to do for Aura gjeb

[@srikantpanda7966]

4:00 its a good series by namit arora, but for those who has read the discovery of India by Nehru .. (ya the forced chacha from the kaul family near a neher , became nehru... ), this series seems a re-writting of it, discovery of india by jawaharlal Nehru .... thanks for reviving that
To make it even more authentic by mr namit arora, wish many of the missed or shorten topics related to charaka, shushruth, kalidasa, aryabhatta, and shankaracharya, etc could have also got similar elaboration like other characters in the series....
This is where they say .. history is written and louded from a winners perspective, be it a winner from any angle, power, politics, money, name , and or fame .... please prove it wrong.

[@anikettripathi7991]

Nationalists and Antinational can't have same ideology. We get what we focus ..

[@pbghosh5305]

Excellent mind.🎉🎉🎉

[@adityag3vtp]

Ha! Intrigued by the enigma! Come on, Karan.