Historian Vikram Sampath On Kashi, Lord Shiva, Gyanvapi Mosque, And Rewriting History | Dostcast

Dr. Vikram Sampath is a historian based in Bangalore. He is the author of eight acclaimed books, including Splendours of Royal Mysore: The Untold Story of the Wodeyars, Voice of the Veena: S. Balachander, Women of the Records and Indian Classical Music and the Gramophone, 1900-7930.
Historian Vikram Sampath On Gyanvapi Mosque, Kashi, Lord Shiva, And Rewriting History
In this episode, Vinamre and Vikram Sampath discuss:
- The rich cultural history of Kashi,
- The truth behind Kashi's Gyanvapi Mosque,
- How Kashi was attacked and looted multiple times.
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
4:00 Differences Between Varanasi and Kashi
11:20 Challenges While Writing the Book
18:00 The Real History Behind Kashi
21:40 Why the Vishweshwar Form of Shiva Is Important
28:00 Attacks on Kashi
29:30 'लिंग' Meaning
37:40 What Is 'Gyanvapi'?
45:00 Why Pran Pratishtha Is Important
47:00 The Real Conflict
50:10 Who Is Representing the Mosque
53:40 The Gyanvapi Mosque Is Actually Illegal
57:20 Why They Should Be Fearful
1:03:00 Actual Numbers of Temples Revealed
1:09:00 Does India Have a Non-Congregating Faith?
1:10:20 Vikram's Experience at the Site
1:17:00 Disrespecting the Shivling
1:21:00 Vikram's Motivation to Pursue This
1:32:00 Conclusion
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#Dostcast

[@dostcast]

If you enjoyed this episode, could you please hit the like button 👍 it helps us massively. Appreciate you all! 🙏

[@Prafulbhinchar]

Tu kitni over acting krta hai Realhit walo se kuch sikh pagal lgta hai thodi kam krde tuje podcast lena hi nhi aata

[@LastBencher14]

Vikram Sampat is a national treasure ❤

[@massanddeepak8335]

Sir, there is no doubt this.

[@sriramranganathan4658]

Yes. Sai Deepak, Anand Ranganathan included.

[@Akash-mv4jm]

we need more people like sampath ji Har har Mahadev 🕉️

[@vinayasharma07]

Am I only the one who got devotional tears after hearing much on Kashi!! I am fortunate to have worked in Kashi for 3 years in my career.

[@RojaJaneman]

Wow! Must b some blessings

[@nicolasflamel3489]

need to grow into men who don't cry and have the capacity to make Dushman cry.

[@vinayasharma07]

@@nicolasflamel3489 What nonsense? all tears out are not cry. Those tears are attachment towrds our dharma and bhagwan. Byproducts of Mccoy Gulami Education like you wont get that feeling.

[@SynonAnon-vi1ql]

You already secured a place in heaven for yourself 👏👏

[@debnik007]

One of the most important podcast in present time

[@ExmuslimHafiz]

Darul Uloom Deoband openly advocating for attacks on India (Ghazwa-E-Hind) while our so-called seculars still believe they love this country and that their religion doesn't supersede it. Just ask them a simple question: if Darul Uloom Deoband says attacking India is good or bad, they'll say it's bad. But when you point out that Islamic books clearly promote hate, they'll try to deflect or modify the conversation. A desh bhakth and a Muslim cannot be the same person. they are either breaching Islamic rules or following them. An ex-Muslim should not be labeled as a patriotic Muslim.

[@rupalikarnik465]

"Its the debt we owe to our ancestors".. very true

[@ksrs_18]

1:19:45 , I know many of us didn't know about this "Wazukhana" thing but if they (Ms) knew what's there and still were washing their feet and mouth doing "Wazu" on Lingam then imagine their h∆te towards us, and I think Vinamra also got shocked after knowing that, btw brillant podcast I always learn more and more from him (Sampath) and Thank you so much Vinamra for inviting him, just one small request please try to get J Sai Deepak once on your show. love and respect ❤️🙏

[@swarnaushachandra5568]

J sai Deepak should also please be brought 😊

[@ThePrimo555]

That disrespectful abhisehk is what woke up the Linga and now it demands proper worship. Those people indirectly worshipped him for years. And yeah they hate us.

[@MS-ov9sv]

I was thinking the same....so much h@te....we would never do that to others....Har Har Mahadev

[@saiethatte4753]

I started reading history because of Vikram sir. Delight to listen to him

[@CyberLotus2]

Fabulous questions asked, *Vikram nails it everytime* , one of the most impactful Historian of India other one being Mrs Meenakshi Jain.i am glad he saying what needs to be said.

[@edres7563]

As a diasporan indian, who has been disconnected from my ancient ancestral heritage for many generations, i am so grateful for these conversations in english, because it is allowing me to learn so much about my culture and heritage and reconnect with my ancesteral traditions. My infinite thanks and gratitude to all these new generation of english speaking great intellectual heavy weights, such as Vikram Sampath, Jai Sai Deepak, Anand Ranganathan and others who are helping to redress the historical worngs and teaching so many of us the truth of what we as a people went through and how we need to celebrate and find courage and pride in who we are, after centuries of being disconnected and taught to hate ourselves and feel shame about our great heritage, by those who attempted to permanently destroy us, but failed to succeed. We are the only ancient civilisation that has survived the abrahamic onslaught and is still here in the modern age in a billion plus numbers! Har Har Mahadev!

[@rosewater6778]

Not only is Vikram a brilliant historian but he's also an incredible storyteller. The Savarkar biography reads like a thriller even though it's 2 heavy tomes. Vinamre, as always, brings out the best in his guests!

[@poojamitra3990]

Prolific….Its Mahashivratri today.. what a day to be educated on Shiva and Kashi. Very balanced podcast… Respect for Vikram Sir

[@Pange1969]

incredible Vikram he keeps me glued even after hearing all the podcast of this subject KASHI so many times.

[@shobitaasthana677]

Thank you Vikram Sampath for taking time from your project in progress and researching & writing about Kashi, Vishwanath and Gyanvapi.

[@CuriosityLearning-op8of]

Vikram Sampath 🫡🫡...Hats off sir... Indian civilization needs more ppl of this calibre

[@priyankajain2026]

Huge respect for Dr.Vikram Sampath! Thank You for doing the research and presenting it in a book for us and future generations!! ❤🙌

[@ruchirhodes6098]

What a great interview! I can't wait to read the book. Thank you, so much Dr. Vikram Sampath! Listening to you is a true delight!

[@pratikmanghwani7417]

4:55. This is why I love dostcast. Always prepared. No BS questions on aliens and yetis, only high intellect conversations.

[@Robolearning]

Vikram Sampath - Always good to listen to him.

[@shobhanamukherjee4735]

Great work Vikram Sampath!! You have made the task of Vishnu Jain much easier. We Indians are poor at documenting the things and had to rely on foreign work to prove our side of the story. May Lord Siva shower His blessings upon you.

[@vardhansathe]

As always, very informative!! Loving it

[@venkatpillay2382]

I fail to understand that you are conducting a podcast on a religious place(Kashi/Benaras), but repeatedly referring it as mythological stories , inspite of being a sacred place for Bharat & also a historical & cultural city, which was unfortunately plundered and destroyed during the Mughal regime. But your repeated reference as mythological stories was annoying- our sacred stories are not Mythological stories brother. Please shed your colonial mindset before attempting to present any historical facts in future, a sincere request which I hope you will abide.

[@BAKA31197]

Don't force your pov on others if he considers it as mythological it is his choice

[@Rockybanters]

Lol their goal is different.

[@sanjayshiva]

Because he doesn't care about our Dharma. He is here to capitalise on the news of the day and make money.

[@reverendkafka4178]

I think it is more out of poor vocabulary than an intention to offend

[@LastBencher14]

Well said

[@YuvrajSingh-eb4mv]

So relevant. So prescient. Thank you ❤

[@vrindarao16]

Kudos to Vikram Sampat ji for his great work. I liked his last words in this podcast. I couldn’t stop myself from clapping. 👏🏼👏🏼👌👌🙏🙏

[@popkorn4unme]

Very important conversation that needs to be listened to and watched by the masses.. Thanks for sharing..

[@Lifeorganisation1508]

Always love to hear from Vikram Sampath.

[@shravankkadri]

Really appreciate the host being well prepared for Vikram Sampath. Really took the conservation to the next level. Vikram Sampath is an absolute gem .

[@pranaypaul6361]

its all learning when Vikram Sampath speaks. More power to you sir.

[@amansingh3297]

Can you also invite JSD? He brings some solid points from the Hindu Standpoint. Most people are sharing views from the Indian side (with a bit of a Hindu tilt) or from a Charvak's pov. Adding his perspective will make discourse much interesting and give us a clearer picture.

[@tommyshelly5216]

The thing is bhrata, this non-hindu tilting missive is actually iron clad and bulletproof. Opposing arguments feel inferior in front of such a valiant display of logic and rationality. Said that, we do need some of our Sanatani ideas to lubricate our inner-engineering with the cosmic oil of infinity. 🙏Aham Brahmasmi.

[@shubhamvashistha4421]

Vikram Sampat is a national treasure

[@nirmalamuvvala]

Vikram Sampath ji is a National Treasure!!! Good job Vinamre!! God Bless!!

[@im_sks]

why give & take. It was taken from us, we will not give anything, we will take what's ours.

[@tvusha1452]

Excellent dostcast.... Brilliantly explained by Dr. Vikram Sampath.... Very informative.... Please bring him on various tops which are very interesting.... Thank you .

[@chandrashivpuri1224]

Extremely well explained. I also visited Varanasi one month ago and visited Kashi Vishwanath Mandir and attended the Arti on Dashashwamedth Ghat. Totally moving and ethereal ! All Hindus should visit. Also saw the Gyanwapi mosque from the outside.

[@sgmishra72]

Information provided in incredible, full of pride of our rich heritage, different shavites temples and their location from each other has a meaning, never knew it. I am going to purchase new book on Shiva by the great author, my salutation to him for his hard work put in the research book.

[@jitendradeuskar9529]

Great podcast ! Very informative.. Thanks a lot !!

[@SwatiAgarw]

1:25:19 Just want to clarify- People in north are not Hindi fanatics. They really want to understand these important topics but they can not understand in English. Believe me English is not that commonly spoken in India as we believe. So if you want to widen the impact of your talks in north India, it can only be done if a person speaks language of the masses in North India. One example is my mom. She often tells me if only this talk was in Hindi I would have understood what he is trying to say. She would want to know what a great son of her motherland (like Vikram Sampat :)) has to say

[@Aman_2606]

Bro it's not mythology, it's our history.

[@arxhant]

Very informative and detailed podcast around Gyanvapi!

[@bindumenon9450]

Excellent podcast, I like that the host had done a good bit of research and asks intelligent questions and not random stupid questions.

[@yogeshparashar8696]

बहुत ही बढ़िया 🙏

[@mahanarasimhan1867]

Great podcast. Learnt so much in detail. Have to order the book now. Thank you

[@niteck07]

Super Impressed with Vikram Sampath we need more such historians calm composed with true facts !

[@seanbellfort2298]

🔱🕉️🔱🇮🇳🔱 Brilliant in-depth and well researched insights. Thanks. Jai Hind.

[@taskmaster0099]

You should invite Rajarshi Nandi and Vikram together. It'll be a really interesting conversation.

[@ThePrimo555]

Well Vishveshwar and Avimukteshwar being considered the two right hands is absolutely correct, considering he has four hands.

[@sundareshanal1849]

Vikram Sampath is our beloved treasure..

[@sriramranganathan4658]

Yes whole heartedly. Sai Deepak, Anand Ranganathan. And every Sanatana Dharmin with shraddha included.

[@singhnaveen5694]

Now, other grt historian meenakshi jain is bringing out book on gyanvapi. Do bring her on show next

[@taskmaster0099]

Fantastic podcast. Taught us a lot of things.

[@Gaurav-vu9qd]

Vikram Sampath ❤❤❤❤

[@kaushalraj6459]

Saurabh dwivedi of lallantop called him "KOI" VIKRAM SAMPATH wrote any book jisse micro pressure groups active honiaate hai . (In very disrespect manner) But i think vikram sampath sir is just talking the facts and figures amd no propaganda

[@Arianmars3]

Worth every minute

[@sadashivakini2564]

Super super stream with Sampathjo. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@omjidwivedi4184]

Very informative.. really great podcast

[@ventrax2869]

Dostcast you are good. Very good because you question is asked so the one responding to you have clearaty to answer. ❤

[@ventrax2869]

Extremely very good educational pod cast and absolutely very good pod caster. Thank you

[@Indiaengineer1960]

Its so unfair how Hindus being treated for years, imagine many washed their feet and spit on the water where they know shivling was under same pond.😢

[@ankitsharma-zd9yh]

Great job dostcast

[@EvolveYourBrain]

Very engaging and informative podcast

[@amit_dhami]

Awesome discussion.

[@TheGLACStudio]

Thanks for this video. I think, I learnt a lot today. The Wazukhana discussion was stomach churning for me. We have heard of damage and destruction of divine spaces. However, this was an eye-opener in regards to the depth of such destruction.

[@geetanjaliohri7613]

Great questions.

[@kamalgupta5954]

Vikram sampath sir ❤❤❤

[@undefeatableyt7]

Vikram Sampath is a gem like J Sai Deepak and Anand Ranganathan!

[@archit5019]

Thanks!

[@simplydentalxrays4133]

Great podcast indeed ... Would like to add a comment with Regards to interpretation of lingam The base signifies the yoni ie the uterus . thru which we humans come into existence or are born into this planet Earth or the land of our origin so to speak .... And the lingam is representing the Sky as it rises in that direction of tje sky .... And together they signify to quest of union of land and sky ...which is the horizon ....which is infinite ..... It means the the divine consciousness which like a horizon is infinite and vast ..... And it can realised when there is a true union of souls of both genders ... Or union of body and mind and the trie realisation of oneself as Brahman the infinite like the horizon ....... Just a little different angle of understanding ..... Thank you very much .Really enjoyed the podcast ...wishing you both a great sucess Your endeavours looking forward to many more such engaging and relevant podcast

[@donalduncleusa6552]

Great video

[@ankitsharma-zd9yh]

Nicest podcast!!

[@murthy1surya]

wonderful..🙏👌

[@aparnachoudhary3408]

very relevant . har har mahadev

[@balajir4999]

I bow to you Vikram sir ❤

[@neelzd1]

Vikram must be rethinking his first comment that Vinamre came well prepared. Vinamre sounded completely oblivious of the complete topic! Some bit of homework would have helped. Vikram on his part is so convincing that i ordered his book halfway in his podcast 😊

[@TheKarstrasse]

Vinamra, can you help extracting the Temple economy part. I think this temple economy has to be discussed with those around us who keep talking about Schools and Hospitals.

[@AnjuSingh-ov2qr]

Please make a video on the book the beautiful tree by historian Dharampal ji it's about indigenous Indian education system and dalit and women education system and because of casteism people defame and leave Hinduism please sir 😢😢😢😢

[@animesh7296]

Stop using dalit word. Don't be a mental slave.

[@animesh7296]

@@yourguyin2554 , so first say that Dalits are illiterate people and never try anything for the last 5000 years and were always looking for handouts from Brahmins. That they were a half-brain people who couldn't develop their own knowledge system.

[@anilshukla4187]

आदरणीय विष्णु शंकर सर जी और उनकी लीगल टीम को शत शत नमन.....🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@srinivasreddychallakundu]

Wow, got lot of knowledge

[@indian2955]

Please correct the Title of this Video..... its Gyanvapi Temple ....its not mosque

[@kspatel212]

Brother, I fully understand english but I suggest you to do such kind of podcasts in HINDI as majority of our Indian youth does not understand english. To make them aware of our history, you should be able to send information in a language they can understand.

[@piyushjoshii]

I agree. In hindi with English subtitles would be great.

[@vish2553]

And Tamil

[@SR-fs2fd]

You can contribute your translation in the CC section of the video. That would be easier than asking him to conduct podcast in various Indian languages.

[@eshwarswaminathan3031]

Best wishes

[@pola2087]

Great

[@priyankachaudhary210]

Listening multiple podcast day and night it's not hard to identify if the host is well learned or atleast have some sort of knowledge about the topic they are going to discuss. The questions that host put forward were amazing nd intelligent.

[@Abcd-vd8eb]

I have 2 information for Sampath ji 1.Don't use the word Salvation.Meaning of Salvation in Christianity is completely different than Moksha. 2.The Shiva-Shakti don't represent the Ying-Yang.It's represent "Sankya" philosophy. Where as Ying-Yang represent "Taoist" philosophy.These 2 philosophies are different.

[@vish2553]

Plus Soul is not synonymous with ATMA

[@meditateforpeace]

@@vish2553 i think in english we don't have words to explain our terminology and english is not that old as our sanskrit.

[@vish2553]

@@meditateforpeace I agree. So we should use original Sanskrit words. Yoga for example. Rajiv Malhotra had written a book about this “ Non translationable words “

[@mihirbhatt9676]

Agree.. you must have a reader of Rajiv Malhotra ji.. bhrataa..

[@AnjuSingh-ov2qr]

Please invite j Sai Deepak please 🙏🙏

[@user-dd4zo5fo9g]

We'll have to wait till he comes back from the USA 😅

[@amrithpramlal714]

Dr vikram if it wasnt 4 him all temples wouldn't revive as he rightfully says it your economic lifeblood well done doctor

[@sujitphatak]

Varanā is cognate of Varunā. The river named after the god Varuna.

[@sumbajumba3037]

a nice episode

[@hariyalee8458]

1:17:00 I crying on this timeframe. i mean how could they do that?

[@KundanBhumi]

They are Muslim they can do anything except good thing

[@unicornbiceps7186]

​@@KundanBhumiHindus are even worse, especially brahmins

[@shakti182]

Their hatred for their own ancestors just to follow desert cult.

[@uni_arya3201]

What a 'gyanvapi' conversation.

[@ventrax2869]

You educated me today on LINGA

[@indianindianagain2827]

Vinamre, I have to commend you on the changes you have made to your interview style. I might have commented on this ID or an alias on another device on the need to modulate your voice and less interruptions while the guest is speaking. Of course, Mr Sampath is one of the few people you would like to interrupt as well, armed with endless knowledge on our history. Please never ever rid the habit of reading the whole or at least apart of the book before you interview your guests. Smita Prakash actually tags some pages ( initial though) to talk about topics. You can randomly pick chapters as well. Overall, some minor issues remain as may have been pointed out by others such as your using mythology etc. I feel a difference of opinion is also good as it reflects the mindset of the present generation as regards our history, and it is our duty to explain these issues. Keep up the good work.

[@indian9428]

Pakistan and modern day Bangladesh are WAQF properties already given by BHARAT to them why we still want WAQF BOARD in BHARAT now

[@vlogvisionaries294]

सावरकर माने त्याग, सावरकर माने तप, सावरकर माने तत्व, सावरकर माने तर्क, सावरकर माने तारुण्य, सावरकर माने तीर, सावरकर माने तलवार। - श्रद्धेय अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी जी!

[@nitishkumar591]

Ling is Sanskrit word meaning is SYMBOL

[@SR-fs2fd]

As he said, ling has 10+ meanings depending on the context according to the Sringeri Shankaracharya and only a handful of people can hang up at their level when it comes to the knowledge of the Shastras.

[@somilG44]

Gr8

[@prashantdevadiga6696]

Har Har Mahadev 🕉️🕉️🕉️🕉️ The Beginning 🙏 The End 🙏

[@sonaligokhale1374]

How is he a prepared interviewer, Vikram Ji? 😂..... but your knowledge is just amazing......

[@sureshs5808]

ಓಂ ನಮಃ ಶಿವಾಯ ❤

[@Mayank-Pawar]

J Sai Deepak Should be Next!

[@PradipDas-sr3en]

Likewise, I am also waiting for Shiva. One personal note to Dr. Vikram Sampath. I hate History, Historians and History teachers. Ever since I listened to Vikram in various TV programs, including podcasts; my views about History, Historians and History teachers have changed dramatically.

[@leninreddy5332]

Iam waiting to buy this book