In this episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha Tank chats to author, historian, and filmmaker Sam Dalrymple, whose bestselling debut book Shattered Lands: Five Partitions and the Making of Modern Asia explores pivotal decisions from the past and looks at how they still shape the world we live in today.
Sam talks about partition, identity and forgotten geographies, sharing some insights on key historical figures. And he even discusses what he may write about next.
Featured Voices
Host: Manisha Tank
Guest: Sam Dalrymple, Author and Historian
Key takeaways
- Sam explains how the British Empire in India was far larger than commonly believed, stretching from Yemen to Burma.
- He talks about how partition was chaotic, rushed, and poorly planned, rather than the result of a grand imperial design.
- Sam also explores how key historical figures like Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Pandit Nehru were far more complex than their modern portrayals suggest.
- He believes that understanding history is key to gaining clarity on present-day conflicts.
Chapter heads
00:00
A Book That Reframes Asia
Manisha introduces Sam and talks about how Shattered Lands challenges how we understand modern Asia.
02:04
“Which Partition?”
Sam references a conversation he had that led him to consider the many partitions that have helped shape Asia into what it is today.
03:45
The True Size of British India
From Burma to the Persian Gulf, Sam explains how much of Asia was once governed from Delhi, and why this is often forgotten.
06:45
The Archives That Changed Everything
He talks about how newly digitised records uncover hidden turning points in history, including how the Gulf nearly became part of India.
08:20
Chaos Over Conspiracy
Sam explains how partition was executed in just 77 days, and shares some insights on how unprepared and overwhelmed colonial authorities really were at the time.
11:10
Rethinking Muhammad Ali Jinnah
He goes on to talk about how studying the founding father of Pakistan revealed a far more complex figure than he expected.
14:30
Pandit Nehru’s Turning Point
Sam also details how a harrowing encounter following the Amritsar massacre became a defining moment in India’s push for independence.
17:00
Burma: From Global Hub to Conflict Zone
Sam and Manisha talk about how Burma was once the “Singapore of its time,” and how Rangoon’s fall can help explain Myanmar’s modern struggles.
22:05
Project Dastaan: Reconnecting Across Partition
Sam explains how a university idea became a cross-border VR project, aimed at reconnecting communities divided since 1947.
24:05
Stories Beneath the Surface
Manisha talks to Sam about how he uses his travel writing as a gateway to explore history and culture more deeply.
26:00
Identity and What’s Next
Sam reflects on his mixed identity and what he hopes to explore next.
Useful links
https://samdalrymple.com/shattered-lands
https://projectdastaan.org/
https://samdalrymple.com/architectural-digest-1
https://www.cntraveller.com/article/gwalior-madhya-pradesh-india
https://www.cntraveller.in/story/tracing-tansens-musical-legacy-in-gwalior/
Don’t miss out
We’re on a mission to bring the real Asia — its thinkers, builders, dreamers, and disruptors — to global ears. So if you know someone who would be a great guest or want to contact the team, please email:
tanktalksasia@asiaworks.com
And don’t forget to follow, subscribe, and share so you don’t miss the next episode of Tank Talks Asia.
Tank Talks Asia is an AsiaWorks production.
