Episode list

Firstpost: Flashback

Why League of Nations Failed: The Outbreak of World War II
The United Nations was preceded by another organisation called the League of Nations. Its job was to prevent another world war. But in 1939, the League failed its most important mandate when Hitler's armies marched across Europe. Palki Sharma tells you why the League of Nations failed to stop World War II.
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King Charles' Bloodstained Crown: The Untold Story of UK Royals
As King Charles III ascends to power, we take a look at the history of his throne. The bloody battles that kept his ancestors in power. The innocents they murdered and the foreign lands they looted. Britain's throne was forged by centuries of bloodshed and betrayals. Catch the story on Flashback with Palki Sharma.
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How India Tried to End the Korean War
In 1950, the world faced the prospect of World War III after fighting erupted in the Korean peninsula. Chinese soldiers clashed with America for the first time in history. It was India's mediation and peace initiatives that finally brought peace to Korea. How? Tune in to Flashback with Palki Sharma and find out.
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How Did This Ancient Indian City Disappear?
The Roman Empire's craving for black pepper brought them to Indian shores. As the pepper trade flourished, so did the ancient port town of Muziris. But around the 14th century, this town disappeared off history books and maps. What happened to Muziris? Palki Sharma tells you on Flashback.
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Tibet's Dark Chapter: Unmasking China's Brutal Invasion
For centuries, China and Tibet co-existed as independent cultures. But in 1950, Communist China's army rolled into Tibet, signalling the end of Tibetan freedoms and culture. Palki Sharma brings you the story of this brutal invasion on Flashback.
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Waging Economic War: Evolution of Sanctions
Have you heard about sanctions? It's the favourite tool of US presidents. Around one-third of the world is living under some sort of sanctions. But how did this idea originate? Why have sanctions failed historically? Palki Sharma tells you on Flashback.
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Meet the Real Pirates of the Caribbean
Fearless outlaws ruled the Caribbean sea in the 17th and 18th centuries. They attacked and plundered European ships carrying untold riches from the Americas. It was the golden age of piracy on the high seas. Catch the story of the real Pirates of the Caribbean on Flashback with Palki Sharma.
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Cholas: The Force Behind India's First Naval Fleet
The Cholas brought the golden age in the Tamil kingdom. But did you know they once invaded Southeast Asia? So how did a kingdom in Southern India reach across the oceans? It was because of their powerful navy - the first naval fleet of India. Palki Sharma tells you all about the naval warfare of the Cholas on this episode of the Flashback.
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Why Manipur's History is Crucial to Understand its Conflict
If you follow the news, chances are you must have seen something about Manipur. There's violence, death, arson and ethnic violence. Two communities in Manipur are locked in a conflict, the Kukis and Meiteis. But what explains this bad blood? How is Manipur's history crucial to understand this conflict? Palki Sharma tells you on this episode of Flashback.
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From Coloniser to Partner: The History of India and France
Prime Minister Modi will be heading to France as chief guest for the Bastille day celebrations next week. India now counts France among its most-trusted partners in the world. But how did this colonising power emerge as a close friend of India? Palki Sharma traces the history of India-France relations on Flashback.
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Why Did NATO Bomb Yugoslavia?
Western leaders have called the Ukraine war-- the first major European conflict since World War II. But two decades before Russia's invasion, another European country's sovereignty was violated and its cities bombed. It was a ruthless war unleashed by the US-led NATO alliance. Catch the story of NATO's dark chapter on Flashback with Palki Sharma.
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Why did Nehru Reject UNSC Seat for India?
India received two offers to join the UN Security Council as a permanent member in the 1950s. Then-prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru rejected both offers despite saying that India deserves to be on the council. Why then did he reject the offers? Was it the right decision or a Himalayan blunder? Watch this video to find out.
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70th Anniversary of Korean War. India's Role in the Korean War
On this day in 1953, the Korean war came to an end. South and North Korea signed an armistice after three years of brutal fighting. But the two countries never signed a peace deal, so they are technically still at war. How and why did the Korean war break out? What was India's role in trying to end it? Palki Sharma tells you on Flashback.
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How India Became a Nuclear State
In 1998, hidden away from the world, India exploded five nuclear bombs and declared itself a full-fledged nuclear state. Though there was global condemnation then, the world now recognises India as a responsible nuclear power. How did India test a bomb despite the global scrutiny? How did India's nuclear journey begin?
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How Civil Servants Built Modern India
The story of independent India has been the story of politicians. The role of hundreds of civil servants and bureaucrats who worked behind the scenes, is often forgotten. Who were these nameless faces that built modern India? Watch Flashback with Palki Sharma to know.
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Who Drove the British Away? Mahatma Gandhi or Subhas Chandra Bose?
As India celebrates yet another Independence Day, we take a look at the unanswered questions from the 1940s. Did non-violence alone drive the British away? Has India failed to embrace and acknowledge the leaders who did not subscribe to non-violence? Catch the answers on Flashback with Palki Sharma.
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How Did France Colonise Niger and West Africa?
Dozens of French flags were burnt by supporters of the recent military coup in Niger. Anti-France rhetoric has been the go-to strategy for the new junta. What explains this animosity towards France? The answer lies in France's brutal colonial occupation of western Africa and Niger. Catch the story on Flashback with Palki Sharma.
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Why did America Try to Nuke the Moon?
In the late 1950s, the US air force was planning an audacious attempt to drop a nuclear bomb on the moon. Though the plan was declared "technically feasible", it was shelved by the American authorities. Why did the US plan such an absurd project? Would it have been possible at all?
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How to Stage a Coup in Five Steps
Since the 1950s, there have been 242 successful military coups, including more than 100 in Africa. What does it take to stage a successful military takeover? How have coup leaders of the past plotted their rise to the top? Palki Sharma brings you a five-step coup playbook on Flashback.
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How India and Pakistan Became Cricketing Rivals
India and Pakistan are all set to play their second match in the ongoing Asia Cup. Ahead of the high-stakes encounter, we look at the history of the India-Pakistan cricketing rivalry. When did Pakistan and India first play each other? Why do passions run so high on both sides? Palki Sharma tells you on Flashback.
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How India's Spice Route Inspired G20 Corridor
At last week's G20 summit, the US, India and Europe announced an ambitious economic corridor. The corridor, which passes through West Asia, is being called the new spice route. Why has this 21st century plan triggered comparisons with an ancient trade route? What was the 'old' spice route? Palki Sharma tells you on Flashback.
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The Story of India's Old Parliament Building
Indian lawmakers have shifted to a new and improved parliament building, right next door to the old British-era one. When and how was the old parliament building built? Why is it shaped the way it is? Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you on Flashback.
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How Khalistanis Plotted Canada's Worst Terror Attack
The Kanishka bombing of 1985 remains the worst terror attack in Canada's history. Just years before the attack, India had sought the extradition of the mastermind - Talwinder Singh Parmar. Why did Canada reject India's request? Did Canadian negligence lead to the death of 329 people? Tune in to Flashback with Palki Sharma and find out.
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How Caste and Reservation Shaped Indian Politics
The state of Bihar in India has completed a caste census, triggering a new debate about caste and reservation in the country. The opposition wants a nationwide caste census, but the government is hesitant. What is the history of the caste census? How has it shaped Indian politics? Find out on Flashback with Palki Sharma.
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