Ashoka: Power and Persuasion

Sunil Khilnani explores the life and legacy of Ashoka, ruler of a great Indian empire.

• 15 mins

Charaka: On Not Violating Good Judgement

Charaka, a pioneer of Ayurvedic medicine whose handbook is still in use in India today.

• 15 mins

Aryabhata: The Boat of Intellect

Sunil Khilnani on the life of the legendary Indian mathematician and astronomer Aryabhata.

• 15 mins

Shankaracharya: A God Without Qualities

Sunil Khilnani on the life of Adi Shankaracharya, revered Hindu philosopher and theologian

• 15 mins

Rajaraja Chola: Cults of the Imagination

Sunil Khilnani on the life of Rajaraja Chola, cult figure and self-styled king of kings.

• 15 mins

Basavana: A Voice in the Air

Sunil Khilnani on the life of Basavana, radical poet and religious guru.

• 15 mins

Amir Khusro: The Parrot of India

Sunil Khilnani profiles the 'Parrot of India' - warrior, poet and Sufi saint Amir Khusro.

• 15 mins

Kabir: Offender and Offendables

Sunil Khilnani profiles Kabir, the 15th-century poet who challenged religious hierarchies.

• 15 mins

Guru Nanak: The Discipline of Deeds

Sunil Khilnani profiles Guru Nanak, the 15th-century founder of the Sikh religion.

• 15 mins

Krishnadevaraya: Kingship Is Strange

A portrait of the 16th-century warrior, intellectual, poet and self-doubting king.

• 15 mins

Mirabai: I Go the Other Way

The life story of the 16th-century mystic poet and one of India's most revered saints.

• 15 mins

Akbar: The World and the Bridge

Sunil Khilnani on the greatest ruler of the Mughal Empire.

• 15 mins

Malik Ambar: The Dark Fated One

The life of the Ethiopian who arrived in India as a slave but rose to become a kingmaker.

• 15 mins

Dara Shikoh: The Meeting Place of the Two Oceans

The Mughal prince and scholar who found himself at war against his brother.

• 15 mins

Shivaji: Dreaming Big

The 17th-century warrior-king is today a role model and symbol of Hindu identity.

• 15 mins

Nainsukh: Owner Transfixed by Goose

The artist whose portraits of a prince's life created a new vision for Indian art.

• 15 mins

William Jones: Enlightenment Moghul

The 18th-century Welsh scholar who awakened interest in Indian language and culture.

• 15 mins

Rammohan Roy: Humanity in General

The 19th-century Bengali scholar and reformer who campaigned against ritual suicide.

• 15 mins

Lakshmibai, Rani of Jhansi: Badass Queen

Exploring the life and death of a heroine of the 1857 rebellion.

• 15 mins

Jyotirao Phule: The Open Well

The life of the lower-caste boy who rose to become a social reformer.

• 15 mins

Birsa Munda: Have You Been to Chalkad?

The young, charismatic healer who led his tribal community in revolt against the British.

• 15 mins

Deen Dayal: Courtier with a Camera

Sunil Khilnani returns with Incarnations, profiling pioneering photographer Deen Dayal.

• 14 mins

Jamsetji Tata: Swadeshi Capitalist

How Jamsetji Tata transformed Indian industry and set out to beat the Raj

• 14 mins

Vivekananda: Bring All Together

Sunil Khilnani explores the life of Vivekananda, India’s first global guru.

• 14 mins

Annie Besant: An Indian Tomtom

The journey of Annie Besant, from English social reformer to leader of the Congress Party.

• 14 mins

Chidambaram Pillai: Swadeshi Steam

Sunil Khilnani on Indian freedom fighter Chidambaram Pillai.

• 14 mins

Ramanujan: The Elbow of Genius

Sunil Khilnani tells the story of the gifted mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan.

• 14 mins

Tagore: Unlocking Cages

Sunil Khilnani tells the story of the Bengali writer and thinker Rabindranath Tagore.

• 14 mins

Visvesvaraya: Extracting Moonbeams from Cucumbers

Sunil Khilnani explores the life and work of engineer Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya.

• 14 mins

Periyar: Sniper of Sacred Cows

Sunil Khilnani tells the story of Periyar, the rationalist and social activist.

• 14 mins