Empire

• 231. Colonising Ireland: Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, & The Tudor Conquest (Ep 1)

  Ireland is the only country in Western Europe that has experienced being colonised in the modern era. It was used by England as a laboratory for imperialism, and was the site of bloody colonial wars for centuries, yet many people in the neighbouring United Kingdom have little understanding of Ireland’s history.  The new series on Ireland & Empire begins with the Tudor Conquest. By the 1500s, there were small pockets of English imperialism in Ireland via descendants of the Anglo-Norman invasions of the 1190s, but they were concentrated along the southeastern coast. However, when Henry VIII launched the Protestant Reformation in England, establishing control over Ireland suddenly became a top priority. In 1541, he declared all Irish people as his subjects. He built upon previous laws banning Irish language and customs, and created a militarised society. And by Elizabeth I’s reign, the Tudors introduced plantations in Ireland which granted land to English and Scottish settlers.  Listen as Anita and William are joined by Professor Jane Ohlmeyer at Jaipur Literature Festival to discuss how Tudor colonialism paved the way for the overhaul of Gaelic society in Ireland. _____________ Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, book discounts, and a weekly newsletter! Head to empirepoduk.com to sign up or start a free trial on Apple Podcasts. Email: [email protected] Instagram: @empirepoduk  Blue Sky: @empirepoduk  X: @empirepoduk goalhanger.com Assistant Producer: Becki Hills Producer: Anouska Lewis Senior Producer: Callum Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• 230. Britain’s Last Colony: Trump, Brexit, and Russia-Ukraine (Ep 2)

  The future of the Chagos Islands hangs in the balance as world leaders debate how really owns the islands and who should be allowed to live there. Since the 1970s, the evicted Chagossian people have been using legal channels to fight their expulsion from their Indian Ocean homes, challenging Britain's claim to its last colony. Led by Olivier Bancoult, a Chagossian activist expelled from Peros Banhos in the 1960s, hundreds of people have been campaigning to be granted the right to return to their land. Despite winning their case in October 2024, the election of US President Donald Trump has thrown the status of the Chagos Islands again into jeopardy. So, as the weeks roll on since Trump's inauguration, the Chagossian people are asking: when will Britain let us go home? Listen as William and Anita are once again joined by barrister, writer and academic, Philippe Sands, to discuss the uncertain future of the Chagos Islands. Twitter: @Empirepoduk Email: [email protected] Goalhangerpodcasts.com Assistant Producer: Becki Hills Producer: Anouska Lewis Senior Producer: Callum Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• 229. Britain’s Last Colony: The Second World War, Forced Deportations, and 9/11 (Ep 1)

  The Chagos Islands have dominated news headlines over the past few months, but the struggle of the Chagossian people to reclaim their island home has spanned decades. First colonised in 1513 by the Portuguese, the archipelago shifted from one imperial master to another over the course of the next three hundred years, until the British took control in the 19th century and changed the course of Chagossian history forever... In the 20th century the US realised the strategic importance of the Chagos archipelago, sitting equidistant between Asia and Africa. As the island of Diego Garcia became home to one of the largest US military bases in the world, the Chagossian people were forcibly evicted from their lands and displaced across the world, left to fend for themselves in unknown lands. Listen as Anita and William are joined by Philippe Sands, barrister, writer and academic, who has been leading the repatriation case against the British government on behalf of the Chagos Islands and the Mauritian state. Twitter: @Empirepoduk Email: [email protected] Goalhangerpodcasts.com Assistant Producer: Becki Hills Producer: Anouska Lewis Senior Producer: Callum Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• 228. The Man Who Lived A Thousand Lives: Prisoner of War (Ep 2)

  Gustav Hermann Krumbiegel transformed India’s landscapes but faced immense personal struggles. Despite rising to prominence as the Maharaja of Mysore’s trusted landscape architect, Krumbiegel suffered greatly during the first and second world wars, enduring hardship and isolation in British-run camps. Krumbiegel’s resilience shone through even in adversity. His expertise was so revered that, after Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, the newly independent India entrusted him with landscaping the Raj Ghat memorial in Delhi, a sacred space visited by dignitaries from around the world to this day. Listen as William and Anita delve into Krumbiegel’s legacy - a tale of brilliance, resilience, and deep-rooted love for India. Despite facing internment, political shifts, and personal loss, his vision shaped not just gardens but the very essence of India’s urban and cultural landscapes. This is the story of a man who, though German by birth, left an indelible mark on India’s heart and soil. Many thanks to Vinay Parameswarappa for introducing us to the fascinating story of Gustav Krumbeigel. Twitter: @Empirepoduk Email: [email protected] Goalhangerpodcasts.com Assistant Producer: Becki Hills Producer: Anouska Lewis Senior Producer: Callum Hill Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• 227. The Man Who Lived A Thousand Lives: Taming Nature (Ep 1)

  Gustav Hermann Krumbiegel's visionary work transformed the landscapes of India. From humble beginnings in Germany to an apprenticeship at Kew Gardens, Krumbiegel’s journey led him to Baroda, where he became the trusted landscape architect of the Maharaja. Designing the iconic Brindavan Gardens, shaping Bangalore’s reputation as the “Garden City,” and introducing innovative agricultural practices that supported local economies, Krumbiegel's influence shaped India's botanical future. Krumbiegel’s work was not, however, purely focused on aesthetics. He revolutionised urban planning in India, introducing tree censuses, promoting sustainable irrigation systems, and blending traditional Indian gardening with European techniques. His deep respect for local environments and cultures allowed him to create green spaces that felt both timeless and transformative. Listen as William and Anita delve into the life of this unsung hero, whose passion for plants left an enduring imprint on India’s landscapes. From royal palaces to public parks, Krumbiegel’s story is a testament to how one man’s vision can shape the natural and cultural heritage of an entire nation. Many thanks to Vinay Parameswarappa for introducing us to the fascinating story of Gustav Krumbeigel. Twitter: @Empirepoduk Email: [email protected] Goalhangerpodcasts.com Assistant Producer: Becki Hills Producer: Anouska Lewis Senior Producer: Callum Hill Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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