The Story of India

Sorry guys, I was busy last week and I have not seen a single movie. Saw this one recently, so here's my review. One of the interesting documentary series about the human civilization. Mainly focused on the birth and traveled path of the sub-continent culture and religions. This 6 episode documentary series was told right from when humans are beginning to migrate from the Africa through briefing some important historical events that took place in the last two millennia till the present time.

Each episode tells different timeline of the all good and bad occurrences including some of them we already know and that we are not. The British historian and archaeologist Michael Woods travels across the South Asian countries, revealing what he had found in his expedition. In my opinion, what everything he says or find in the quest are probably not accurate, but 'might be like this', 'might be like that' kind of very close truth that we can get. Mainly because of the Indian culture and civilization were assorted with myth. So that's not an easy task to disclose in a short time of the research, the top to bottom of thousands years of the rich history with lots of ups and downs.

1. Beginnings:

In the first episode, it tells one of the first human migration out of the Africa which took place 75,000 years ago who sailed to the west coast of the southern India. Few millenniums later the agriculture began with the idea of domesticating wild animals. While population increasing they moved towards the north where the great Indus civilization began which gave the name India and Hindu to identify the present sub-continent people.

2. The Power of Ideas:

In this part the story commence around 7,000 years ago, that mean 5,000BC where the system of life order begins. Later chronicled the first ever king Chandragupta Maurya who stood against Alexander the Great. Afterwards the birth of Buddhism and Jainism, and the spiritual side of the India. The fascinated thing was India is a place where it changes the people from their desire of thirst to the spirituality. In this episode that is what you learn, men with swords to the enlightenment.

3. Spice Routes and Silk Roads:

It is one of the best part of the story narration. The first east and west encounter. It's all about trade and business between India and, Greeks and Romans. Indian spices and, silk and cotton weaving made the subcontinent the world's first economic powerhouse. In return, most valuable metals and liquor what India gathered that lead to become rich to richer. The India's famous story 'The Ramayan' was first written before the hundreds of its version come into the different languages in the later years.

4. Ages of Gold:

The golden era which mainly focuses on the southern kingdom during the Chola dynasty. One of the ancient surviving languages of the world is the Tamil like the Greek. The perspective of Tamil culture, especially the birth story of classical dance, Bharathnatyam and world first sex guide book Kama-sutra was told. Many rituals and festivals that still followed in an old method was revealed. Overall, it is a south Indian slice of the whole sub-continent's long standing history.

5. The Meeting of Two Oceans:

So this is where collision begins between outside religion and the sub-continent's. Islam makes it way to the India during the eleventh century. It was not easy for the outsider to invade India that history says many great personalities were failing to do that. But Moghals are the first to invade the sub-continent. Very important aspect and time of the Indian history, especially religious perspective.

6. Freedom:

In this final episode, it chronicles the last invader of the subcontinent from the west, the English. They put an end to the Islamic ruling in the India and also brought the advanced technologies with them like guns, trains etc. Mahatma Gandhi himself a law graduate from London college who later fought for freedom with his Ahimsa tactic.

''In history there have been many empires of the sword. But only India created an empire of the spirit.''

With notifying Indian Independence struggle the story brings the curtain down to the narration. If you see the present India, it is not like what it was told from this documentary. Some people remained same from the centuries and generation after generation teaching art and technics to the children, but some are changed like the evolution happened. Especially, after living under different foreign rulers over the 1,000 years, the last 60 years of freedom is what gave them license to do everything they want. And that liberty is what the today's mess you can find in Indian sub-continent.

Can Indian once again rise to become the leader of the world economy like it did thousands of years ago is the future have to wait and see. In the next couple of decades, India is going to put the American economy behind and compete with China for the top position. Once again, I remind you, that many events were predicted, according to the proof the BBC got. So mostly about the possibility than actuality, especially the occurrence that took place before the Buddhism. It is a must see documentary, there are lots that we can learn from it or get some ideas overs those times lifestyles.

9.5/10

Hats of to Michael Wood for his extensive research and such a wonderful representation. Your enthusiasm mesmerizes me while watching the series. Also we have watched it with a view of foreigners. it is full of information. It has all the thing needed to be a great documentary be it direction, representation, music, sites etc. Really I felt enormous pleasure watching all the episodes. :)

It describes the beauty of culture and a great history of the India. I would like to admit that, even after being an Indian I did not know some minute things which I have come to know after watching the documentary. So a great thanks to BBC for presenting such a great series in India. I am looking forward to upcoming series. please bring more such series on India.

An excellent resource for all those who wish to study the history of India.Well researched and directed.A treat for history lovers...

a) Amazing never seen visuals.

b) Powerful all engaging presentation.

c) A honest interest in the subject of India.

d) On location shooting of the narrative subject matter.

e) Great background score.

f) Balanced and well researched topics, which have lessons for world as a whole.

I can go on listing points of greatness of this great work. Wish Michael Wood was my history teacher! I would have definitely majored in History.

If you really want to experience 'time travel' don't watch science fiction movies... just watch this series, you will be amazed. Take my word for it.

It is great to see the history of a people of the world being developed as a life experience of revisiting the places and taking in glimpses of the present and the past. History is not an abstract science; it is about what people did. Sharing what we have learned in a humble and open way, Michael Wood has shown how learning history can be a great experience.

Michael Wood has kept the people perspective throughout rather than stating the facts in a dry manner like most historians do.

Having lived most of my early years in various parts of India, I can appreciate how Michael has captures the essence of the cultural side so well. Great experience.

I wish I could learn about others parts of the world in this style.