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Anita Anand

@anitaanand.bsky.social
16K followers 809 following 220 posts

I present programs on TV and Radio, write history books and present a podcast called Empire with William Dalrymple. NOT IN THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT!

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Dr Miranda Kaufmann @drmirandakaufmann.bsky.social · 15/11/2025
Was a delight to appear on @empirepoduk.bsky.social with @willdalrymple.bsky.social & @anitaanand.bsky.social- available to listen now…
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Empire: World History @empirepoduk.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
⏰NEW EPISODE OUT TODAY⏰ Austen and Brontë: Unmasking Slavery Heiresses @willdalrymple.bsky.social and @anitaanand.bsky.social are joined by Dr Miranda Kauffman, to discuss the often-ignored connections between these famous authors and slavery heiresses.
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Anita Anand @anitaanand.bsky.social · 15/11/2025
This was a fabulous podcast thanks to you!
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Samar B 🕷️ 🍉 🌵She/Her @samarbetmouni.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
Honestly, if you’re not listening to this podcast… you must give it a go - been a fan since it started in 2022 with its first episode on the East India Company @empirepoduk.bsky.social @willdalrymple.bsky.social & @anitaanand.bsky.social are amazing hosts
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William Dalrymple @willdalrymple.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
Today we launch at new @EmpirePodUK series- WRITERS ON EMPIRE We kick off with a four-part look at George Orwell linktr.ee/empirepoduk
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William Dalrymple @willdalrymple.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
In this episode @anitaanand.bsky.social & I are joined once again by Eugene Rogan, Prof of Middle Eastern History at Oxford, to discuss the War of 1948 which led to the creation of Israel, the bulldozing of 500 Palestinian villages & the ethnic cleansing of 750,000 Palestinians linktr.ee/empirepoduk
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dinaaloi.bsky.social @dinaaloi.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
The @empirepoduk.bsky.social not only recommends excellent books, but also famous and interesting places. I often pause listening to note places on a map for future travel. Waiting for travel book by @anitaanand.bsky.social and @willdalrymple.bsky.social
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Betcy Jose @betcy.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
Another stellar series by my favorite podcast, @empirepoduk.bsky.social. Most especially bc @anitaanand.bsky.social and @willdalrymple.bsky.social handle Gaza’s long and fascinating story with such sensitivity, nuance, and humility, traits many current commentators sorely lack
podcasts.apple.com
291. Ancient Gaza: The Philistines (Part 1)
Podcast Episode · Empire · 09/17/2025 · 45m
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Gary R. Bunt @garyrbunt.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
Relistening to this @empirepoduk.bsky.social … if I run any future Islam 101 courses, I’ll encourage students to listen to this episode, which offers some fresh perspectives on long-standing ideas and academic sources @willdalrymple.bsky.social @anitaanand.bsky.social
open.spotify.com
294. Gaza & The Islamic Conquest (Part 4)
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Ashley Nicholson @ashleynicholson.bsky.social · 12/10/2025
Currently reading The Patient Assassin by @anitaanand.bsky.social (Anita Anand). I learned about this book from one of the episodes of the podcast @empirepoduk.bsky.social which I would highly recommend.
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Empire: World History @empirepoduk.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
.@willdalrymple.bsky.social and @anitaanand.bsky.social are joined by Harvard Professor Caroline Elkins to discuss the British occupation of Palestine, and one of the pivotal historical dominoes in the road to where we are today.
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Stevie Rae Williams🍷🐈‍⬛ @stevie1666.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Another astonishingly well articulated series from @willdalrymple.bsky.social & @anitaanand.bsky.social Gaza series has been fascinating & heartbreaking. As a Brit, saddened to see what a terrible part Britain played, as it has so often in the past. We owe so many people our nation’s apologies. 😞
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William Dalrymple @willdalrymple.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
In today's episode @anitaanand.bsky.social & I are joined by Jonathan Phillips, Professor of Crusading History at the University of London to discuss the Crusader history of Gaza and the rise of the Mamluks. share.google/AcH4jiPX7gj7...
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Empire: World History @empirepoduk.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
THE HISTORY OF GAZA SERIES CONTINUES... Episode 4 ☪︎ Gaza & The Islamic Conquest ☪︎ @willdalrymple.bsky.social and @anitaanand.bsky.social are joined by Peter Sarris to discuss how the Arabs rapidly conquered vast territories in the seventh century, including Gaza...
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William Dalrymple @willdalrymple.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
Who were the Cholas who ruled in South India from the 9th century?What was the Medieval Indian equivalent of the Iron Bank in Game of Thrones? William and @anitaanand.bsky.social are joined by @akanisetti.bsky.social to discuss the beginnings of the Chola dynasty. linktr.ee/empirepoduk
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William Dalrymple @willdalrymple.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
New from @empirepoduk.bsky.social LORD OF THE DANCE: THE RISE OF THE CHOLA EMPIRE- MEDIEVAL INDIA'S GAME OF THRONES With Anirudh @akanisetti.bsky.social linktr.ee/empirepoduk
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William Dalrymple @willdalrymple.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
William and @anitaanand.bsky.social are joined once again by @alexvont.bsky.social author of Blood and Sand: Suez, Hungary, & The Crisis That Shook The World, to explore the invasion that Britain and France inflicted on Egypt in 1956 and the lies that Eden told the public linktr.ee/empirepoduk
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Dr Miranda Kaufmann @drmirandakaufmann.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
Finally! My copy of #Heiresses has arrived! Grateful for generous endorsements from @anitaanand.bsky.social @axrenton.bsky.social @patersonjoseph.bsky.social @corinnefowler.bsky.social @alanlester.bsky.social & the late great Marika Sherwood.
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Betcy Jose @betcy.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
This @empirepoduk.bsky.social with @anitaanand.bsky.social and @willdalrymple.bsky.social completely blew my mind:
podcasts.apple.com
279. Partition: How Dubai Almost Became Part of India (Part 2)
Podcast Episode · Empire · 08/06/2025 · 38m
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Anita Anand @anitaanand.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
🇵🇰 Our @EmpirePodUK series on how five partitions shaped modern India continues today, the 78th anniversary of the Great Partition🇮🇳🇵🇰 @anitaanand.bsky.social & @willdalrymple.bsky.social are joined by @SamDalrymple123 to ask why the Partition of India and Pakistan was so rushed in 1947? 🇮🇳🇵🇰
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Emmy @msquinnhistory.bsky.social · 03/08/2025
Just caught up on the bonus episode of @empirepoduk.bsky.social about Roanoke. Just wow. This is why I love history, new discoveries constantly changing how we view the past. Thanks @anitaanand.bsky.social and @willdalrymple.bsky.social!
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Anita Anand @anitaanand.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
And again…. I’m still not in the Canadian government 🙄 and never have been.
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Empire: World History @empirepoduk.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Listen as @willdalrymple.bsky.social and @anitaanand.bsky.social explore the early history of the colonisation of Canada and how European settlers of the 16th century thought they had found China... (hence why these rapids near Montreal are still called "Lachine"!) linktr.ee/empirepoduk
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janeohlmeyer.bsky.social @janeohlmeyer.bsky.social · 15/06/2025
Can’t tell you how much I enjoyed our session on Making empire with the fabulous @anitaanand.bsky.social & @willdalrymple.bsky.social Speaking in the @britishlibrary.bsky.social as part of the Jaipur Lit Fest made it even more special. 🙏🏼🇮🇪🇮🇳 @voicestcd.bsky.social
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Empire: World History @empirepoduk.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
Listen as @willdalrymple.bsky.social and @anitaanand.bsky.social are joined by Eleanor Barraclough, author of Embers of The Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age, to discuss how the Norse made their way westwards to Greenland. linktr.ee/empirepoduk
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William Dalrymple @willdalrymple.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
In this special bonus @empirepoduk.bsky.social episode, William and @anitaanand.bsky.social are joined by author Elif Shafak to discuss her new book, There Are Rivers in the Sky, and how she weaves history into her storytelling. podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/e...
podcasts.apple.com
Empire Club: Ancient Epics and Rivers of History with Elif Shafak
Podcast Episode · Empire · 01/06/2025 · Bonus · Subscribers Only · 41m
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Simon Edmonds @sjsedmonds.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
Well the Empire podcast recently had five Yalta episodes which will keep them engrossed @empirepoduk.bsky.social @anitaanand.bsky.social @willdalrymple.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...
podcasts.apple.com
Empire
History Podcast · Updated twice weekly · The rise and fall of empires, rulers, and the events that shaped world history. William Dalrymple and Anita Anand explore the intricate stories of revolutions,...
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William Dalrymple @willdalrymple.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
William and @anitaanand.bsky.social are joined once again by Giles Milton, author of Checkmate in Berlin: The Cold War Showdown That Shaped the Modern World, to discuss the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift, and the way in which the Iron Curtain hardened towards the end of the 1940s.
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Anita Anand @anitaanand.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
Also on this week’s pod! How did The Big Three divide Germany? Why did Poland see the Yalta conference as “The Great Betrayal”? On @empirepoduk.bsky.social out now! 2/2
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Anita Anand @anitaanand.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
Who created the United Nations? It was supposed to be the legacy of a dying American president. It was supposed to ensure world peace. In today’s @empirepoduk.bsky.social, @willdalrymple.bsky.social and I discuss the back room deals that got the UN plan over the line. 1/2
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William Dalrymple @willdalrymple.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
William and @anitaanand.bsky.social discuss the first day of the Yalta conference and the unlikely alliances that begin to form as The Big Three redesign Europe…
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Anita Anand @anitaanand.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
I’m still not the Canadian Foreign Minister chaps… though this is only going to confuse matters …
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Suzanne Campbell @suzannecampbell.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
🙌🏻 William Dalrymple and Anita Anand’s @empirepoduk.bsky.social is unbelievably good. I’ve learned so much about India, Iran and Middle East already. Now they turn their attention to #Ireland. This is going to be AMAZING 🔥 #irishhistory #historypodcast #colonialism
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Fintan O'Toole @fotoole.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
It was a delight to do the terrific Empire podcast with the splendid William Dalrymple and Anita Anand podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
podcasts.apple.com
Ireland Transformed: From Banning Condoms to Exporting Viagra
Podcast Episode · Empire · 04/14/2025 · Subscriber Early Access · 51m
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William Dalrymple @willdalrymple.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
New from @EmpirePodUK VICTORIAN NARCOS 2: SEX, DRUGS & THE OPIUM AGENCY podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/v...
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William Dalrymple @willdalrymple.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
Listen @empirepoduk.bsky.social as @anitaanand.bsky.social and William discuss how the East India Company competed with the opium growers of Malwa and the Parsi traders of Bombay to sell Indian opium to China despite it being strictly outlawed…
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William Dalrymple @willdalrymple.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
William and @anitaanand.bsky.social explore how the British love of tea led to the East India Company running an international drug cartel than made Pablo Escobar look as innocent as Wallace and Gromit podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/v...
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William Dalrymple @willdalrymple.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
As more & more British money disappeared into Chinese pockets to pay for tea, there developed a vital need to sell something to China to stop the haemorrhage of gold. From 1780,  the East India Company realised that India already produced a product the Chinese would willingly pay for: opium.
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William Dalrymple @willdalrymple.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
By the late 18th century, tea ‘had become so much the national drink’ that in 1784 Parliament passed a law requiring the East India Company to hold a year’s supply of it in strategic reserve. The customs duty on tea earned the government as much as all land, property & income taxes put together
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William Dalrymple @willdalrymple.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
Tea is said to have been introduced to England by the wife of King Charles II, Catherine of Braganza. In her dowry, Catherine brought with her two things that would prove to be of world-historical importance: a casket of tea & six small islands that would later become Bombay
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William Dalrymple @willdalrymple.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
In 1636 Peter Mundy noted that some locals along the Pearl River “gave us a certaine Drinke called Chaa, which is only water with a kind of herbe boyled in itt.” He wasn’t terribly impressed, noting “It must bee Drancke warme and is accompted wholesome.”
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William Dalrymple @willdalrymple.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
At @empirepoduk.bsky.social @anitaanand.bsky.social & I examine how a drink which for nearly four thousand years had been associated with China, and the lifestyle of Confucian literati & Buddhist monks suddenly became, in the course of the 18th century, Britain's national drink 🫖 🍵
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William Dalrymple @willdalrymple.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
New episode from @EmpirePodUK 🍵 🫖 THE PRICE OF A CUP OF TEA 🫖🍵 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/v...
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William Dalrymple @willdalrymple.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
Listen @empirepoduk.bsky.social as William and @anitaanand.bsky.social are joined by Alastair Campbell of @restispolitics.bsky.social the lead strategist for Tony Blair’s New Labour government at the time, to discuss what it was really like to negotiate peace in Northern Ireland in 1998.
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Anita Anand @anitaanand.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
3/3 To conclude our series on Ireland & Empire, Anita and William are joined by the brilliant @fotoole.bsky.social , author of We Don’t Know Ourselves, to reflect on how Irish society has transformed since the 1950s, and how the country’s colonial past informs its future. @empirepoduk.bsky.social
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Anita Anand @anitaanand.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
Why were women imprisoned in “Magdalene Laundries” in Ireland until 1996? How did Irish society grapple with abuse within the Catholic Church? 2/3 @empirepoduk.bsky.social @willdalrymple.bsky.social
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Anita Anand @anitaanand.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
How did Ireland go from a farming economy to the home of Big Tech and Big Pharma in Europe in a few decades? Our new episode on @empirepoduk.bsky.social with me and @willdalrymple.bsky.social 1/3
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Empire: World History @empirepoduk.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
In the final chapter of our Ireland story @willdalrymple.bsky.social and @anitaanand.bsky.social are joined by the brilliant @fotoole.bsky.social to discuss how Ireland has transformed since the mid-20th century. Ireland Transformed: From Banning Condoms to Exporting Viagra ✨EPISODE OUT TODAY✨
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Tom Parker @tdgparker.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
The truly excellent @anitaanand.bsky.social, @willdalrymple.bsky.social, @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social and @empirepoduk.bsky.social series on The Troubles finishes strong by highlighting how even terrorist groups must operate within powerful political constraints on their behaviour (*a thread*)…
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