Did Ancient India Once Hold Superpower Status?

In the newest episode of the Deja Vu podcast, historian and author William Dalrymple examines the far‑reaching influence of ancient India and why it has often been overlooked. Long before European navies dominated the oceans, India’s expansive maritime trade linked the subcontinent to distant markets across the world. Scholars such as Brahmagupta and Aryabhata disseminated mathematical concepts that later helped shape the European Renaissance and continue to underpin modern science. The episode argues that colonialism altered the global balance of power, and as influence shifts back toward Asia, it asks whether the colonial period was merely an anomaly.

The program features Dalrymple speaking about his research and perspectives. Production credits include Mohamed Hassan, Marcos Bartolome, Marthe van der Wolf, and David Enders, with editing by Alexandra Locke. The engagement producer is Adam Abou‑Gad and sound design was handled by Alex Roldan.

Listeners can follow the podcast on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube under the handle AJEPodcasts. The episode was released on 18 October 2026.