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

Dastaan-e-Samvidhaan | दास्तान ए संविधान | Radio Azim Premji University

In the second part of "Unboxed - The Harmonium In India," host Sharmadip Basu details how the European-origin harmonium, adapted for Indian conditions, became a favoured instrument across genres. Despite its affordability, portability, and durability, nationalists criticised its foreign origins, and purists disapproved of its inability to handle microtones (shruti). Figures like Nehru, Gandhi, Tagore, and Coomaraswamy expressed their disdain, and eventually it was banned on All India Radio. Despite this, the harmonium flourished among the masses and gained acceptance among some Carnatic and Hindustani musicians. Frustrated by the ban, harmonium players staged a satirical funeral procession burying their instruments. The harmonium later returned to Indian airwaves and became a staple in musical genres among the diaspora. 

Listen to the full story on Ep 2 of "Unboxed - The Harmonium in India" on Radio Azim Premji University. Don’t miss the first episode of this series.

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

For a detailed list of acknowledgments and resources for further exploration, visit our website: https://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/unboxed-harmonium-india

Ep 2 - How Indian is the Harmonium? | Unboxed - The Harmonium in India with Sharmadip Basu

The history of India  is interesting from the ancient period, how slowly everything changed towards the better, moving forward towards the potential future.

History of India-1

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

New tracks tagged #History of India