Sachin Tendulkar, a New Hero For a New India
The cricket legend’s talents are beyond question. But what if his superstardom has to do with more than skill?
Ayesha Le Breton
How a 2001 Bollywood Song Birthed a Viral TikTok Trend
The ‘Asoka makeup’ hashtag is now everywhere. Its origins might surprise you.
Boroline, the Bengali Miracle Cream
The Indian antiseptic ointment has outlasted the British, Partition, and copycats. Its formula for winning isn’t what you think.
The Eclipse That Ended the Great Sikh Genocide
Ahmad Shah Durrani’s soldiers massacred 30,000 unarmed Sikhs. It took a celestial event on Diwali to halt the ensuing bloodshed.
The Double Lives of Beef-Eating South Asians
Many who grew up steering clear of the red meat are now opting in, sometimes secretly.
Fatima Jinnah, More Than Her Brother’s Keeper
Many have tried to sanitize the legacy of the first Pakistani woman to run for president and challenge the country’s military.
Who Gets to Observe Ramadan?
The latest TikTok trend? Non-Muslims sharing their fasting journeys. For some, it’s about wellness. For others, it’s a welcome practice.
Why South Asians Can’t Stop Thinking About Kate Middleton
The Princess of Wales’s months-long absence from public life resurfaced familiar feelings for those from the subcontinent.
How A Bowl of Fruit Became a South Asian Love Language
Affection comes in a various forms, but for many, the purest gesture is freshly washed, cut, or prepared produce.
The Tragedy of Benazir Bhutto
Even a woman of many firsts couldn’t escape the patriarchy and a husband who failed her.
Courtesans, the Unsung Stewards of Culture
The British Raj conflated tawaifs with prostitution and minimized their contribution to the arts and politics, but that was far from reality.
How Costco Won Over the South Asian Diaspora
Meet the “Costco-politans” who swear by the wholesale giant. For fans, it’s about more than snagging a deal.
Gayatri Devi, the Maharani Who Did
From politician to preservationist, she was always more than a glamorous queen — reminding us to stand tall in a world that men often dominate.
Nazia Hassan, the South Asian Queen of Pop
The British Pakistani singer redefined global stardom in the 1980s. But her musical career was tragically cut short.
The Toyota Camry, An Indian American Classic
Toyotas are efficient, reliable, and affordable. But for a generation of Indian immigrants, one of its models means so much more.
Timbaland and Indian Music: A Match Made in Heaven?
In the 2000s, the producer sampled Bollywood classics to create some of his biggest hits. Many of the original artists have yet to reap any rewards.
Catarina de San Juan: Mughal Princess or Mexican Saint?
Historians and Catholics alike have venerated the enslaved woman from India since the 1600s, yet few know her true story — until now.
The Cobra Effect and the Colonial Gaze
How the world’s foremost experts popularized the made-up story of a British incentive to curb Delhi’s snake population.
Why South Asians Love Muhammad Ali
The boxing legend symbolizes more than just athletic prowess for those from the subcontinent.
“Mundian To Bach Ke,” The Bhangra Anthem That Lives On
The 2003 Panjabi MC and Jay-Z track became a global sensation. More than 20 years later, we’ve yet to experience anything like it. Why?
How Indian South Africans Fought Apartheid
Many history books have forgotten the activists who joined forces with the Black community in dismantling state-sponsored racism.
Pomegranates, the Ruby Jewels of the East
A viral article claimed the fruit is tasteless and making a “comeback.” But for South Asians and Iranians, it transcends any fad.
No Doubt’s Tony Kanal, Man of Mystery
The Indian American bassist had an outsized role in the band’s breakout success. Why don’t we know more about him?
Coupon Clipping to Clicking: The Brown Love of a Deal
Indian American immigrants in the 1980s and 1990s embraced discounts as a means of survival, raising a generation of bargain hunters.
Howard Hodgkin, the Unlikely Collector of Indian Art
The late British artist amassed one of the most notable subcontinental troves. To this day, we know little about their rightful owners.
Kajal: Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder
In the West, black eyeliner can mean sultriness, “exotic”-ness, or danger. But for South Asians, the millennia-old ritual imbues confidence and power.
Eqbal Ahmad, the Anti-War Activist Ahead of His Time
The Pakistani academic went on trial for plotting to kidnap Kissinger. He ended up advising revolutionaries and presidents, and prophesying the future.
The Big Didi Dilemma
Eldest daughters and sisters already have it tough. What does it mean when you’re also South Asian?
The Jinns We Live With
For millennia, the lore of these mythical creatures has cultivated creativity, connection, and community.
Soccer Was Once India’s Great Love. What Happened?
The country had all the ingredients to be formidable on the sport’s global stage. But one ill-fated decision changed its trajectory forever.
The South Asian History of Red
The color’s popularity has waxed and waned in the West. But, in the subcontinent, the hue has always been in.
How Ancient India Pioneered Sanitation
Millennia before the Roman Empire, the Indus Valley Civilization had private toilets and sophisticated drainage systems. But who gets to decide what is “clean” today?
Is Nepal a Beacon of LGBTQ Rights?
The world celebrates the nation for South Asia’s “first same-sex marriage” and its progressive laws, but queer activists say the reality is far different.
What’s the Deal with Neils?
The name has never been particularly popular in the U.S. — unless, of course, you’re Indian American.
Rose Water: From Mughal Tradition to TikTok Trend
Your favorite skincare secret dates back centuries. So why is the West now obsessed with it?
The Last Nizam of Hyderabad Who Wasn’t
Mukarram Jah inherited the wealth of the world’s richest man, but swiftly squandered it. To this day, many consider him unworthy of the title.
Pakistan’s Expulsion of Afghans Threatens Centuries of Shared History
As the government accelerates deportations, Afghan refugees speak out on the loss of home, culture, and community.
Dates: The Sacred Superfood that Withstood Millennia
The ancient drupe has long been a staple for Muslims. Now, it’s the latest fad for health nuts in the West.
Radioactive Rotis: Britain’s Secret Human Radiation Trials
Over 50 years ago, a medical study targeted 21 British Indian women without their consent. The U.K. government has still not investigated or apologized.
