The India Project, presented by award-winning investigative reporter and author Josy Joseph, chronicles the transition of India from a British colony to an independent nation through documents that shed new light on the genesis of Indian democracy and its institutions. In the brief period before Independence, as the architects of free India attempt to weave together the brocade of a new nation from an assortment of princely states, presidencies and other territories, The India Project goes behind the scenes, uncovering the intrigues, politics and machinations of various dramatis personae, building up to a nail-biting finish with the unfurling of the tricolour on August 15, 1947 to mark the birth of a new, free India. 

This non-commercial show from Radio Azim Premji University is meant for educational purposes. 

Credits: 
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar.

The India Project with Josy Joseph | Radio Azim Premji University

Episode 1 - The Princely States

“We must celebrate our democracy. More importantly, it must be nurtured, preserved and deepened.” Episode 1 of The India Project, The Princely States, opens with these lines, going on to explore how one of the fundamental challenges to the idea of a unified India came from its princely states. From Hyderabad under the Nizam to the kingdom of Travancore, from Junagadh to Bhopal, each state was presented with the option of joining the dominion of India or Pakistan. As the clock ticked towards August 15, 1947, how did the builders of the nation resolve the intricacies of this maze? 

The India Project is an ambitious project with investigative reporter Josy Joseph. Author, most recently, of A Feast of Vultures: The Hidden Business of Democracy in India, and The Silent Coup: A History of India’s Deep State, Josy unearths documents that shed new light on the birth of Indian democracy and its institutions through snippets and stories. 

Subscribe to be alerted when a new episode drops.

Acknowledgements: 

Tryst With Destiny | India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru addresses the nation of India (English). 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrEkYscgbqE&t=58s 

1946 Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru’s Constituent Assembly Speech at Delhi (Hindi). 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrEkYscgbqE&t=58s

Credits:
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar

The India Project with Josy Joseph - The Princely States (EP1) - 26th January 2023

A man of great contradictions… that is how the learned and venerable reformer and technocrat Sir Chetput Pattabhiraman Ramaswami Iyer is introduced in the second episode of The India Project with Josy Joseph. In the summer of 1947, Sir CP had drawn up an aggressive plan for independence… not of India, but of the princely state of Travancore, of which he was the Diwan from 1936 to 1947. As the clock ticked, it appeared as if Travancore would hoist its own national flag even before India would. Until one night in July, as Sir CP finished addressing the audience at a concert commemorating the anniversary of the former Maharaja and Carnatic music composer Swathi Thirunal, a sickle swished in the dark.  

Episode 2 of The India Project unravels the intrigues and covert correspondences leading up to Travancore’s eventual accession to the Union of India. Until the turning point — the attempted assassination of Sir CP.

Listen to discover more. 

The India Project, narrated by investigative reporter and author Josy Joseph, chronicles the formation of the republic through documents that shed new light on the genesis of Indian democracy and its institutions. 

Acknowledgements and Credits:

Tryst With Destiny - Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s address to the nation on August 15, 1947 | YouTube: 
Tryst with Destiny | Jawaharlal Nehru
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrEkY...

Nagumomu- Abheri performed by Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer | YouTube 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofgoh...

Thanks to Confluence Media for CP’s Letter to the Maharaja
Performed by Narayan Krishnaswamy

Music Used from
https://www.britishpathe.com/video/ma...

Credits:
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar

EP2 The India Project With Josy Joseph - Travancore (EP2) - 07 Feb 2023

A car chase in Bombay climaxes in a cold-blooded street murder and a foiled abduction. A cornered potentate, chastened by a scandal, agrees reluctantly to abdicate. Amid the power play of dangerous liaisons, this episode of The India Project packs it all in. 

After our exploration of the fraught politics of The Princely States in Episode 1 and the mutinous designs of Travancore to renege on the Union in Episode 2, we journey to Indore, a princely state in present-day Madhya Pradesh, where palace intrigues deepen the Maharaja’s decision — accede to the Union of India, or secede and face the consequences. 

After the abdication of Maharaja Tukoji Rao III Holkar XIII, scion of the Holkar dynasty, his young happy-go-lucky heir Yashwant Rao Holkar II has been installed on the throne, a move that marks the beginning of British control of Indore. Years later, barely weeks from August 15, 1947, the flamboyant ruler is in the crosshairs of a crisis as he tries to assert his dominion’s independence.

Acknowledgements:

Audio excerpts in this episode are drawn from the following sources: 

Lord Mountbatten at New Delhi talks (1947) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUWNDK6ZDt4 

Thief Of Baghdad- 1940 ( Hindi) 1:16:19 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBorHUADApc&t=4578s 

Sazaa Full Movie - Dev Anand - Nimmi - Shyama | Old Hindi Movies | Classic Bollywood Film
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-sE_SUrH40 

Sheesh Mahal (1950) Full Movie | शीश महल | Sohrab Modi, Naseem Banu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HeeJCq0XPY&feature=youtu.be 

Raj Nartaki 1940 Hindi Classical Full Movie || Prithviraj Kapoor, Sadhna Bose || Hindi Movies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d43ZbFo39s&t=2079s 

AI voices from Murf.ai

Credits: Akshay Ramuhalli, Beej, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar

The India Project With Josy Joseph - Indore (EP3) March 2023

Did you know that Bhopal has a rich history, and a role to play in the cloak-and-dagger drama that preceded Independence? 

Before it came to be the capital of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal was the second-largest Islamic princely state in British India. In fact, Bhopal State had a long lineage of rulers, including a succession of female Nawabs or Nawab Begums, unique in Indian history. The last ruling Nawab, Hamidullah Khan, enjoyed a closeness to Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who was campaigning for the independent Islamic nation of Pakistan, as well as Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India. The Nawab had made up his mind to join Pakistan, but things didn’t quite go according to plan. 

As the date for Independence drew near, the Nawab was a troubled man. His letters to Jinnah seemed to receive a cold shoulder, while the Viceroy was unsupportive of his decision to join Pakistan. There was also the geographical absurdity of it to consider — Bhopal being a landlocked territory that shared no terrestrial borders with the proposed boundaries of Pakistan. 

Tensions, naturally, ran high with every passing minute. There was much desperate hand-wringing and feverish letter-writing, not to mention a cocked pistol that the Nawab brandished at his daughter. 

How did Bhopal eventually join the Union of India? To know that, revisit the drama of the times in this gripping episode. 

Acknowledgements:

Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s speech - Tryst with Destiny
Tryst with Destiny | Jawaharlal Nehru

Thanks to Confluence Media for the letters in this episode.

Zafarullah Khan’s Letter to VP Menon performed by Ranvijay Pratap Singh
CC Desai’s letter as a reply to Zafarullah Khan’s letter performed by Zia Ahmed
Nawab Of Bhopal Hamidullah Khan’s letter to Jinnah performed by Kafeel Jafri

Credits: 
Akshay Ramuhalli, Beej, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar

The India Project With Josy Joseph - The State of Bhopal(EP4) April 2023

In August 1947, as India took the final steps towards becoming an independent nation, numerous actors thronged the chessboard in the northeast of the country, contemplating their moves. Among them was the Governor of Assam, Sir Muhammad Saleh Akbar Hydari, who initiated talks with the respective princely states and ethnic dominions of the northeast, including the Naga Hills, Khasi Hills and Mizo Hills. Tracing various documents and correspondences, reporter and author Josy Joseph reconstructs the history of how the northeast states — present-day Tripura, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Manipur — were stitched into the fabric of the new nation. 

Listen to Ep 5 - The Northeast on The India Project with Josy Joseph

Acknowledgements-

Thanks to Confluence Media for the Letters in this episode.

Muhammad Saleh Akbar Hydari Letter to Pt. Nehru performed by Ranvijay Pratap Singh

Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s speech - Tryst with Destiny

Tryst with Destiny | Jawaharlal Nehru

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrEkYscgbqE&t=58s

Audios used from:

https://ncaa.gov.in/repository/search/displaySearchRecordPreview/IGRMS-MINI_DV_1081-MDV/Nagaland-Tour-(Vol.-X)

https://ncaa.gov.in/repository/search/displaySearchRecordPreview/CVI-SUR_R_4470-UMLB/Bamboo-Dance-of-Mizoram

https://ncaa.gov.in/repository/search/displaySearchRecordPreview/CVI-SUR_R_1489-UMHB/Lifestyle-of-Khasi-Community-(Vol.-V)

Tripura folk song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEVDCrEIRIk

Credits: Akshay Ramuhalli, Beej, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar

The India Project With Josy Joseph - North East (EP 5) 18th May 2023

Cohost Seetal joins expert Josy Joseph in conversation in this penultimate episode of The India Project. As they unravel the story so far, they bring on stage the key characters for a curtain call. 

What became of Travancore Diwan Sir C P ’s machinations in the aftermath of the assassination attempt on him? What were the moves being planned by the Nizam of Hyderabad? In the wake of the Japanese Army’s advance on the northeast, what were Governor Hydari’s options?

As they tie up the loose ends, the clock races towards the final days preceding Independence. A nation awaits its tryst with destiny. 

Acknowledgements:

Thanks to Confluence Media for the letters featured in this episode

YouTube | The Quint: The Battle of Imphal: When World War II was fought in India 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH3kV5cOsSM 

Sir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer’s letter read by Narayan Krishnaswamy 

AI voice - Murf.ai

Credits: 
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar

The India Project With Josy Joseph And Seetal - The Road To Destiny (EP 6) 1st June 2023

What is the mood in the streets of India on August 14, 1947? If you expected cheering crowds and processions of jubilation on the eve of Independence, here’s the sobering truth: not everyone is celebrating. For some princely states, accession to the Indian Union is not a natural choice. Punjab, Sind and Bengal, cloven by Partition, witness scenes of horrific violence and the displacement of millions. The birth of our nation, as the facts reveal, is not without its share of labour pangs. 

In the season finale of The India Project with Josy Joseph, we observe the awakening of India as an unstoppable idea whose time has come. With memorable sound-bites from the leaders of a newly free nation, we end Season 1 on a note of nostalgic introspection.

Thank you for joining us on the journey so far. Stay tuned for Season 2 of The India Project. 

Acknowledgements:
Thanks to Confluence Media for the letters in this episode:

Letter from CP Ramaswami Iyer replying to Indore’s invitation to be the Prime minister performed by Narayan Krishnaswamy
Letter from Mir Osman Ali, Nizam of Hyderabad, performed by Ranvijay Pratap Singh
Letter from Hamidullah Khan, Nawab of Bhopal, to Viceroy Lord Mountbatten, performed by Kafeel Jafri

Credits: 
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar 

Audio excerpts:
YouTube | MyGov India: Sucheta Kripalani, Indian freedom fighter and later first woman chief minister of an Indian state, leads the singing of Saare Jahan Se Achcha 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLTLgWzpxOY&t=25s

YouTube | Prasar Bharati Archives: First President of India Dr Rajendra Prasad's Constituent Assembly speech on Aug 14, 1947
https://youtu.be/owDZcbIuZ1A 

YouTube | Akashvani AIR: Bande Mataram :The Song that Became a Mantra
https://youtu.be/uPtXdJOWUsQ?t=131

YouTube | Prasar Bharati Archives: 1947 - First House Adjournment by Dr. Rajendra Prasad in Constituent Assembly
https://youtu.be/65YKKEXOZYI

YouTube | Prasar Bharati Archives: The Moment of Freedom at midnight on August 15, 1947
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjIpHDR2CFc

YouTube | Prasar Bharati Archives: 1947 - Hansa Mehta's Constituent Assembly Speech on August 15, 1947
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFC6_5yqM-U

YouTube | Prasar Bharati Archives: 1947 - Jawaharlal Nehru takes oath as Prime Minister of India
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF-2S6Q6Dxk

YouTube | Prasar Bharati Archives: 1947 - Lord Mountbatten takes oath as Governor General of India
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o_3_5wE0NE

YouTube | Films Division: India Wins Freedom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vepQwxc0ekk

YouTube | PIB India: Mahatma Gandhi’s Discourse on Ahimsa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvEixJd2CPY

YouTube | Prasar Bharati Archives: 1947 - Dr. Rajendra Prasad's Constituent Assembly Speech | Hindi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z-nbysVUJk

YouTube | MyGov India: President Dr Rajendra Prasad administers the pledge to members of the Constituent Assembly, August 15, 1947
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juEhZGccukg

The India Project With Josy Joseph And Seetal - Birth Of The Nation (EP 7) 27th June 2023

You are listening to Radio Azim Premji University, our campus radio station. Azim Premji University was founded in 2010 with the vision to contribute to the realisation of a just, equitable, humane and sustainable society. On our channel, you can tune in to a variety of engrossing shows on themes ranging from democracy and culture, science and mathematics, and more. You can also experience a slice of campus life. If you are a seeking student, an arts aficionado, curious about science, or just passionate about India, subscribe and start listening.

Credits:
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar