The Story Of India

kidsan

i have just been watching the 1st part of a new series on the BBC about the history of india called 'the story of india' and it really is quite fantastic! Incredible film footage and a depth of information into india's remarkable history make it one of the best programmes i have ever seen about india.

The beginning tells us how the first emigration of humans, about 70,000 years ago, from the cradle of civilisation in Africa was to south india, and they have found a man in a village who still carries a gene from those 1st travellers!

I would really encourage any brits on the forum to tune in on friday to see the 2nd part (you can also catch the 1st part if you sign up to the new iplayer internet service).

crvlvr

Sounds great. How can I get my hands/eyes on this in the US?

crvlvr

Apparently its already available on DVD.. http://www.bbcshop.com/invt/bbcdvd23...3,,indi aat60

kidsan

that would certainly be worth the money in my opinion, but worth noting that it's only available on pre-order at present (official release 5th november)

New-South-Welshman

I love watching basic documentaries on India. Nothing to specific, just mostly travel ones. Is this doco to my taste?

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kidsan

hmm, i'm not sure. This is a little different from the usual docs on india which seem to feature a lot of saris, beggars and elephants (though these are also present ) but is trying to get a much bigger perspective on india and it's major role in world/human history.

From the bbc website:

"For over two millennia, India has been at the centre of world history. But how did India come to be? What is India? These are the big questions behind this intrepid journey around the contemporary subcontinent. In this landmark series, historian and acclaimed writer Michael Wood embarks on a dazzling and exciting expedition through today's India, looking to the present for clues to her past, and to the past for clues to her future. The journey takes the viewer through majestic landscapes and reveals some of the greatest monuments and artistic treasures on Earth. From Buddhism to Bollywood, from mathematics to outsourcing, Michael Wood discovers India's impact on history - and on us."

ps i hope i'm allowed to copy&paste from the bbc? if not then please delete

Mod note... short quotes with attribution is fine

fsg

itis an excellent programme.

If you google Mayavision http://www.mayavisionint.com/ you will find short synopses of each programme.
Quite a lot is the south

HinduHomie

Hi has anybody seen this series. I saw the first 5 episodes and youtube and downloaded a torrent for the 6th one, overall very useful documentary though not without faults. In the first episode I don't know why Mr. Wood seemingly gave contradictory information on the "aryan invasion" and that controversy. Also he has an habit of consistently putting younger dates for cities, religions, etc. For example isn't Varanasi atleast 4,000 years old, being an ancient city in Lord Mahavir's and Lord Buddha's time? As was expected Mr. Wood was a little bit too benign on Muslim rule in India but alteast he acknowledged it that it left a lot of Hindus embittered. The last part on Freedom was the best IMHO and left tears in my eyes. Please don't hesitate to give this a try. Mr. Wood's love and passion for India and its people is something that seems genuine.

machadinha

Er, the Buddha is generally thought to have lived somewhere in the 5th-4th Centuries BC. I've been following some of your other posts and maybe it's time you got your facts straight.

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Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Ignite

"Like Mahavira, the founder of Buddhism came from a Kshatriya family, but he gave up his position and inheritance in order to seek salvation. His name was Siddhartha Gautama, born about 563 B.C.E. in a small tribal state governed by his father in the foothills of the Himalayas."

Bentley, J., Ziegler, H. 2005. Traditions & Encounters : A Global Perspective on the Past. Volume I:From the Beginning to 1500. 3rd Edition Pp.219. McGraw Hill. New York.

Traditions & Encounters

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HinduHomie

Sir what i meant was Kashi was ancient during Buddha's time (6 cent bc), it was founded atleast 4000 years ago, according to most sources I heard.

vodcaa

I think Mr wood did miss out on quite few points, im not sure about the dates,,,,

One of my mates did sent an email to him Via BBC , coz you wont get his direct email, and he did reply back to him but the answer wasnt what he was expecting, but he did answer, so you can try sending an email.

PeakXV

FYI, this series debuts this Monday night, January 5th, 2009 on PBS for American/Canadian viewers. It continues the next Monday, January 12th, and concludes on January 19th.

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Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

RWeHavingFunYet

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Premieres 5Jan08. Check your location.

New-South-Welshman

I bought this like a month ago along with Sanjeev Bhaskar's India. Seen all of Sanjeev's, but only the first episode of Michael's. Will watch the rest soon, aye.