44. The Legacy of the Ottomans, Queen of the Desert, and giant turbans

This podcast episode features a Q&A session that follows an exploration of the Ottoman Empire. Hosts Anita Anand and William Dalrymple engage with listener feedback, discussing key historical topics like the Sykes-Picot Agreement, the Armenian Genocide, and the influential figure of Gertrude Bell. They illuminate how decisions made between 1914 and 1924 profoundly reshaped the Middle East, highlighting the Ottoman Empire's unexpected pluralism in contrast to the conflicts that followed and the complex legacy that endures today. The conversation also addresses Ataturk's modernization efforts and their impact on Ottoman culture, as well as the intriguing fact that ornate Ottoman turbans were surprisingly lightweight, made with a balsa wood core. Listeners will gain a richer understanding of the Ottoman Empire's intricate history and its relevance to today's geopolitical landscape.