Sam Dalrymple joins me for a powerful conversation about his book Shattered Lands: Five Partitions and the Making of Modern Asia, where he unpacks how India went through multiple partitions, not just the 1947 split.
We explore the Partition of Bengal, the Partition of Punjab, the role of the Muslim League, and the mass migrations that followed. From the politics of Jinnah, Nehru, Gandhi, and Mountbatten to the creation of Pakistan and the eventual liberation of Bangladesh, this episode dives deep into the people, borders, and decisions that shaped the subcontinent and so much more.
Sam argues that 1947 was just one moment in a much longer story of borders being drawn, redrawn, and broken apart.
Each event, from the partition of Burma to other lesser known divisions, has left lasting scars. We discuss the historical context and consequences of these partitions, including the 1937 separation of Burma, the forgotten detachment of the Gulf states and Yemen, and how princely state politics quietly shaped much of today’s India Pakistan border.
We also dive into the creation of Bangladesh in 1971, which Sam calls the real moment the modern map of South Asia was made.
What makes this episode special is how personal and human the history feels. Sam shares stories from Project Dastaan, the emotional process of reconnecting families across divided lands, and how even nationalist narratives often unravel when you ask someone about their childhood best friend from “the other side.”
This is history through memory, migration, and moments that still shape the region today.
Watch the full conversation and let me know in the comments: Which partition do you think left the deepest mark?
đź›’ Pick up a copy of Shattered Lands from my bookshop:
