Bengaluru, 19 January 2026: As debates over history, memory, and narrative intensify in the public sphere, questions around how India’s past is written and interpreted are coming into focus. Historian and author Dr Vikram Sampath, known for his extensive work on Indian history and biography, joined media entrepreneur and author Shutapa Paul on the latest episode of the “What India Needs!” podcast to talk about the challenges of writing Indian history in an era marked by political polarisation.
The episode explored how historical writing in India has moved into the public and political arenas, adding complexity to the historian’s role. Recent debates around biographies and reinterpretations of historical figures have shown how attempts to revisit or humanise them can invite sharp reactions.
Reflecting on the present climate, Dr Sampath described modern history writing as risky terrain, noting that some historical personalities have become politically sacrosanct. “The brickbats that fall on the writer are immense,” he said, adding that “you don’t know where the bomb is going to burst on your face”.
Paul shared an African proverb to frame the central concern of the exchange: “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”
Challenging a Monochromatic View of History
A key focus was exploring what Dr Sampath described as a “monochromatic” and “whitewashed” understanding of India’s past. He argued against the idea of a single narrative, emphasising that history must accommodate different perspectives. Likening historical interpretation to the parable of blind men describing different parts of an elephant, he explained that no single account can claim absolute completeness.
The conversation also turned to the revolutionary tradition within India’s freedom movement. While Paul pointed out that “a lot of our freedom struggles are somewhat removed or much focused on Gandhi and Nehru”, Dr Sampath spoke of how an “unending trail of revolutionary struggle” deeply unsettled the British Raj and shaped colonial responses.
When History and Politics Intersect
Petitions written by imprisoned revolutionaries like Vinayak Damodar Savarkar to the British colonial government are often cited and debated as evidence of ideological compromise. Addressing these debates, Dr Sampath explained that such documents followed standard administrative formats. The language often resembled “a schoolchild writing impositions to a class teacher” because political prisoners had limited choices when addressing the colonial authorities.
Paul noted that such subjects often become “political hot potatoes” in public discourse, that “in the times we live in, everything becomes very political”.
Balancing Historical Trauma and Context
The episode also addressed the burden of historical memory and the need for honest engagement with difficult periods of the past. Dr Sampath referred to the Islamic conquests as “the bloodiest story of human history”, arguing that avoiding such discussions prevents meaningful understanding and reconciliation.
He suggested that India needs a process of truth and reconciliation to acknowledge historical trauma and past injustices without perpetuating contemporary blame. In Dr Sampath’s view, a truthful assessment of history is essential to prevent citizens from continuing to be burdened by what he described as the “albatross” of unresolved pasts.
He also touched upon history education, emphasising that history should not be taught for political comfort. As he put it, people “should not look up to these characters as their heroes” but instead study history to develop critical thinking and an awareness of the past.
Reclaiming India’s Historical Knowledge
In the final segment, Dr Sampath talked about his personal journey, recalling his decision to exit a decade-long corporate career and become a full-time historian. He spoke about facing a period of deep internal conflict, as he performed what he termed “inane” tasks like calculating the profit and loss of a US firm. Ultimately, it led him to choose passion over corporate security, a move that has allowed him to pursue what he described as “soul-actualisation” through his research and writing.
Today, Dr Sampath runs a for-profit technology venture and a non-profit research foundation. Describing himself as a perennial optimist and emphasising his commitment to reclaiming India’s knowledge sovereignty, Dr Sampath expressed that he intends to stay the course “till the very last ball of the match is played”.
The episode offers a candid and thought-provoking exploration of history, memory, and scholarship, shining a light on the responsibilities and risks of revisiting India’s past in the present moment.
Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/uX7AeWlspYk
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4MO1h7qWoQfxSFvlvjRL2J?si=jOpD-LgcSxa4vKp8Lq2AZw
