In this wide-ranging conversation, historian and civilisational thinker Koenraad Elst joins Aditi Joshi on Itihasdhir to examine the deepening crisis of the West through the prism of Europe, Christianity, and the Papacy. As Europe grapples with demographic shifts, ideological exhaustion, loss of cultural confidence, and theological dilution, the role of the Church and especially the contemporary Papacy, comes under sharp scrutiny. Is Europe witnessing a civilisational transition or a slow civilisational suicide? Has Christianity abandoned its role as a civilisational anchor? And what happens when universalist moral posturing replaces rooted cultural self-preservation? Drawing on history, comparative civilisations, and hard political realities, this discussion moves beyond surface-level commentary to confront uncomfortable…

How did India survive decades of deception, espionage, and nuclear blackmail? And why were these battles never meant to enter public memory? In this in-depth conversation on Itihasdhir, author and strategic affairs expert Juggi Bhasin joins Aditi Joshi to unpack the hidden story behind India’s nuclear rise, a journey shaped not just by science and policy, but by lies, spies, covert pressure, and relentless global intimidation. Drawing from his book Lies, Spies and Nuclear Rise, Juggi Bhasin exposes how India navigated foreign intelligence operations, diplomatic sabotage, technology denial regimes, and nuclear coercion, while building strategic autonomy under extraordinary constraints. This is not a story of idealism, but of survival; not…

In this episode of Itihasdhir, Aditi Joshi is in conversation with author Saumya Dey on his book BHU, a powerful examination of how Banaras Hindu University became a microcosm of India’s larger intellectual and ideological struggle. From the civilisational vision of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya to the slow capture of campuses by imported ideologies, the discussion explores how education, power, and narrative control intersect in modern India. This conversation goes beyond student politics to ask uncomfortable but necessary questions: Who decides what is taught? Whose knowledge is legitimised? And why are institutions rooted in Bharatiya thought constantly portrayed as regressive? BUY THE BOOK: https://amzn.in/d/gMQLkHT | https://padhegaindia.in/product/bhu-from-inception-to-crisis-1915-65/

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, Aditi Joshi engages with Esther Dhanraj, author of “Unbaptized: Why I Left Christianity and Returned to My Roots,” to uncover her remarkable journey of leaving Christianity and reclaiming her civilizational identity. Esther speaks about her childhood inside evangelical spaces, the psychological and cultural pressures of organized religion, and the gradual awakening that led her back to Sanatana Dharma. From confronting missionary narratives to rediscovering dharmic wisdom, this dialogue is an eye-opening exploration of faith, identity, decolonization and self-realization. Watch this heartfelt exchange as Esther shares what it truly means to choose one’s roots with awareness, courage and conviction, only on Itihasdhir. BUY THE…

Step inside the shadowed corridors of Valor House as Bishhal Paull, author of The Liar Among Us, sits down in an evocative conversation with Aditi Joshi for Itihasdhir. In this interview, Bishhal Paull unpacks the psychological architecture behind his gripping boarding-school thriller, from the anatomy of deceit and the silence that breeds suspicion, to the making of characters who feel unsettlingly real. What begins as a tale of discipline and tradition slowly unravels into a chilling study of human fear, buried truths, and the masks we wear. BUY THE BOOK: https://amzn.in/d/0PLQcl7 📚 About Us: Itihasdhir is a podcast book review channel dedicated to diving deep into the world of literature.…

In this compelling episode, we dive deep into the ideas, events, and strategic shifts explored in Operation Sindoor. Authors Chandni and Roshni Sengupta unravel the motivations behind the book, the realities of India’s changing security landscape, and the narrative battles shaping national discourse with Itihasdhir host Aditi Joshi. From the Pahalgam attack to India’s evolving response mechanisms, this conversation goes beyond headlines to examine what truly defines India’s “new normal.” Insightful, honest and unapologetically sharp, this episode offers a rare window into the making of a book and the story of a nation redefining itself. BUY THE BOOK: https://amzn.in/d/175iAR4 📚 About Us: Itihasdhir is a podcast book review channel dedicated…

Join Aditi Joshi in an illuminating conversation with poet-diplomat Abhay K, author of Nalanda: How It Changed the World. Discover how this modern polymath blends poetry, diplomacy, and history to revive the legacy of India’s ancient university. From the global impact of Nalanda to his lyrical rendition of the Hanuman Chalisa and the creation of the Earth Anthem, Abhay K shares insights on heritage, spirituality, and cultural diplomacy. BUY THE BOOK: https://www.amazon.in/Nalanda-Changed-World-Abhay-K-ebook/dp/B0DT4L24T7 | https://www.amazon.in/Hanuman-Chalisa-Rediscover-Hanumans-legacy/dp/9369527761 📚 About Us: Itihasdhir is a podcast book review channel dedicated to diving deep into the world of literature. We explore a diverse range of books, from historical masterpieces and contemporary bestsellers to timeless classics and…

Hundreds of Indian women once sailed from India to London as ayahs—caretakers who crossed oceans with colonial families, only to be abandoned on foreign shores. In this conversation, Uma Lohray speaks with Aditi Joshi about her novel The One-Way Ships, which brings to life this forgotten chapter of colonial history. From voiceless ayahs to questions of identity, resilience, and survival, the dialogue uncovers how literature can reclaim stories erased by empire. BUY THE BOOK: https://amzn.in/d/62pNemz 📚 About Us: Itihasdhir is a podcast book review channel dedicated to diving deep into the world of literature. We explore a diverse range of books, from historical masterpieces and contemporary bestsellers to timeless classics…

In this exclusive episode of Itihasdhir with Aditi Joshi, Maj Gen (Dr) GD Bakshi SM, VSM (Retd.) decodes Operation Sindoor, the conflict scenario being called the 5th India-Pakistan War. From open-source intelligence to ground realities, Gen Bakshi offers a sharp analysis of Indo-Pak tensions, India’s preparedness, and the evolving nature of modern warfare. This conversation goes beyond headlines to uncover the strategic, geopolitical, and civilizational dimensions of a war you haven’t heard of. BUY THE BOOK: https://amzn.in/d/8N5HGCU 📚 About Us: Itihasdhir is a podcast book review channel dedicated to diving deep into the world of literature. We explore a diverse range of books, from historical masterpieces and contemporary bestsellers to…

Author Priya Arora joins Aditi Joshi of Itihasdhir to discuss her powerful book Life is a Battlefield, a reflection on resilience, courage, and the art of thriving despite life’s challenges. In this engaging conversation, Priya shares the personal journeys and insights that shaped her writing, exploring how struggles can transform into strength and why storytelling becomes a weapon for healing and empowerment. BUY THE BOOK: https://www.amazon.in/Life-Battlefield-Insights-Bhagavad-Resilience-ebook/dp/B0FJ9MRCPH?ref_=ast_author_dp 📚 About Us: Itihasdhir is a podcast book review channel dedicated to diving deep into the world of literature. We explore a diverse range of books, from historical masterpieces and contemporary bestsellers to timeless classics and thought-provoking non-fiction. Our mission is to ignite your…