India was not a peripheral civilisation — it was the cradle and engine of the ancient world’s maritime trade. Cambridge-trained historian Nick Collins presents 40 years of research that rewrites the founding story of human civilisation.
Beginning with the Ice Age, Nick establishes why the Indian subcontinent — jutting into the centre of the Indian Ocean — was uniquely positioned to become the hub of global civilisation as glaciers melted and sea routes opened. He challenges Max Müller’s admitted “pure guess” of 1500 BC for the Rig Veda, arguing that archaeological evidence places Indian influence in Mesopotamia far earlier.
The conversation reveals that Indian merchants maintained enclaves in Mesopotamia and organised trade networks that extended to the Levant — a commercial and cultural presence that shaped the ancient Mediterranean world. The book’s title, he explains, changed from “An Untold World History” precisely because India’s centrality demanded foregrounding.

About the Speaker:
Nick Collins is a maritime historian and former senior professional in the shipping industry, known for his work on the role of maritime trade in shaping world civilisation. He studied history at Cambridge and spent nearly four decades working across major maritime hubs such as London, Tokyo, Singapore, and Dubai, including leadership roles in shipping-related companies. He is best known for books on Ancient Maritime Trade.