On the very first episode of Scroll Ideas, Shoaib Daniyal talks to author and historian Anirudh Kanisetti.

Kanisetti's new book Lords of the Deccan is a fascinating look at the history of early medieval South India. He charts the rise of the Chalukyas, the South's first empire and ends with the incredible powerhouse that the Cholas from Tamilakam were.

In this discussion, Shoaib and Anirudh discuss why elephants were weapons of mass destruction in medieval Deccani warfare, what happened to the Jains of South India and why India's incredible diversity in history is ignored for a one-size-fits all, Delhi-centric approach.

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Writer and host: Shoaib Daniyal | Producer: Karnika Kohli | Art design: Shruti Rego, Rubin D'Souza