Barefoot Boys podcast

Barefoot Boys

In 1911, just three decades after the sport of football came to India, a group of Bengali men sent shockwaves across the entire British Empire. The Amor Ekadosh, or “Immortal Eleven,” competing in one of the oldest football tournaments in the world, did so without boots on their feet. Unafraid to go toe-to-toe with their colonisers, they showed a country what freedom felt like–long before its citizens were free. Konkona Sen Sharma brings the remarkable story, once erased from history, to life.

In 1911, just three decades after the sport of football came to India, a group of Bengali men sent shockwaves across the entire British Empire. The Amor Ekadosh, or “Immortal Eleven,” competing in one of the oldest football tournaments in the world, did so without boots on their feet. Unafraid to go toe-to-toe with their colonisers, they showed a country what freedom felt like–long before its citizens were free. Konkona Sen Sharma brings the remarkable story, once erased from history, to life.

 

#12

Barefoot Boys: Trailer

Eleven men, playing without boots on their feet, showed a country what freedom felt like, ... more

01 Aug 2024

01 MINS

01:15

01 Aug 2024


#11

The Barefoot Boys

Mohun Bagan is the toast of Calcutta. The city burns with nationalist fervour and the Brit... more

07 Nov 2023

17 MINS

17:43

07 Nov 2023


#10

The IFA Shield, Part Two

All of Calcutta is decked up, and thousands throng the maidan to watch Bagan play the East... more

31 Oct 2023

17 MINS

17:21

31 Oct 2023


#9

The 1911 IFA Shield

No longer content with winning tournaments like the Trades Cup, Mohun Bagan set their eyes... more

24 Oct 2023

18 MINS

18:03

24 Oct 2023


#8

The Amor Ekadosh Level Up (Again)

No longer content with winning tournaments like the Trades Cup, Mohun Bagan set their eyes... more

17 Oct 2023

18 MINS

18:13

17 Oct 2023


#7

The Bomb Heard 'Round Bengal

A revolutionary terrorist bomb attack on a British magistrate in Muzzafarpur goes horribly... more

10 Oct 2023

18 MINS

18:04

10 Oct 2023


#6

The Bhaduri Brothers

With the help of the Bhaduri Brothers, the Immortal Eleven ascend the ranks—all the way to... more

03 Oct 2023

16 MINS

16:08

03 Oct 2023


#5

Kicked Into Shape

Former army man Sailen Bose shakes things up at Mohun Bagan, kicking (literally) the playe... more

26 Sep 2023

17 MINS

17:50

26 Sep 2023


#4

Mohun Bagan's Palatial Origins

Three royal families set out to find a proper setting for a football club, and find it in ... more

19 Sep 2023

19 MINS

19:50

19 Sep 2023


#3

No Boots? No Problem

Nagendra marries into the Sovabazaar family, and starts a football club in its name. The B... more

12 Sep 2023

15 MINS

15:28

12 Sep 2023


#2

The Father of Indian Football

We meet Nagendraprasad Sarbadhikari, founding father of Indian football. He showed Indians... more

05 Sep 2023

19 MINS

19:20

05 Sep 2023


#1

British Conceptions

It’s 1857. British soldiers play football in the barracks of Bengal, but Bengalis—with the... more

29 Aug 2023

19 MINS

19:28

29 Aug 2023