19. Federal India, indentured labour, and naked yogis

This episode of the Empire podcast features a Q&A segment that tackles listener inquiries about the British Empire, with a particular focus on its effects on India and global migration trends. The hosts delve into topics such as the East India Company's conquests, the role of indentured Indian laborers after slavery was abolished, and why the British didn't establish permanent settlements in India like they did in other colonies. Listeners will discover intriguing stories, including the significant contributions of Himmat Bahadur and his “army of naked yogis" to British military successes, as well as the extensive practice of indentured servitude that influenced populations in places like Mauritius and the Caribbean. This episode provides valuable insights into often-neglected facets of imperial history, shedding light on the enduring impacts of colonial policies on global demographics and power structures.