This episode of the "Empire" podcast interviews William Dalrymple about his book on Xuanzang, a 7th-century Chinese Buddhist monk who journeyed to India. The conversation follows Xuanzang's perilous journey, highlighting his encounters with bandits, pirates, and harsh landscapes, ultimately reaching the renowned Nalanda University. Dalrymple discusses the historical significance of Nalanda, its influence on later educational institutions, and the complex relationship between Hinduism and Buddhism in ancient India. The interview concludes with a tease about a key historical figure, a concubine who played a significant role in the spread of Buddhism in China, details of which are reserved for the book.
