In this episode of Immortal India, Amish Tripathi is joined by historian and author Vikram Sampath for a deep, nuanced conversation on the history of Kashi’s Gyanvapi and the Kashi Vishwanath temple—its antiquity, repeated destruction, and the many attempts at reconstruction across centuries. The discussion also explores themes from Vikram’s latest book, “Waiting for Shiva: Unearthing the Truth of Kashi’s Gyan Vapi,” which traces the site’s layered past and the enduring resilience of devotees and the city of Kashi.
What’s inside:
The sacred geography of Kashi and the legacy of Vishweshwara/Vishwanath in India’s civilizational memory.
Early destructions and rebuilds: from Qutb-ud-din Aibak’s razing in 1194CE to notable reconstructions under Akbar-era nobles like Raja Todar Mal, and later completions under Jahangir’s period.
Aurangzeb’s 1669 order, the demolition of the temple, and the mosque constructed on the site—plus how remnants of the old temple persist in the structure.
The 18th-century revival nearby under Queen Ahilyabai Holkar and the ongoing civilizational impulse to rebuild and remember.
The modern debate and legal-historical discourse surrounding Gyanvapi and what it tells us about India’s culture, law, and identity today.
Vikram Sampath on “Waiting for Shiva”: why this story matters now, archival traces, and the blend of history, faith, and memory that shapes public understanding of Kashi.
About the Guest:Vikram Sampath is a renowned historian and bestselling author whose works include major biographies and civilizational histories; in “Waiting for Shiva,” he examines the long arc of Kashi’s Gyanvapi—from sacred origins through waves of iconoclasm to the steadfast resilience of its devotees.
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