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All six episodes of the BBC modern history series in which Michael Wood journeys through the Indian subcontinent, tracing the richness and diversity of its peoples, cultures and landscapes. Episodes are: 'Beginnings', 'The Power of Ideas', 'Spice Routes and Silk Roads', 'Ages of Gold', 'The Meeting of Two Oceans' and 'Freedom'.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
141 of 143 people found the following review helpful
By KN
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
After watching 'The Story Of India' on DVD I have to say that it was time well spent. Historian Michael Wood is a stellar choice for presenting this series. His innate passion for history and energetic style fits seamlessly with the colourful and vibrant subject matter that is India. This is backed up by engaging visuals and music, as expected from the BBC. The series also does well to go back as far as it does, starting off in the South and working its way around other areas of the Indian subcontinent (Pakistan) and even visiting neighbouring regions (Central Asia).
This series has the following 6 episodes on 2-discs.
1. Beginnings - Ancient rituals in South India and the Indus Valley Civilisation (3000BC) are explored
2. The Power of Ideas - covers the emergence of Buddhism around 500BC and the first Indian Empire led by the Maurya rulers.
3. Spice Routes and Silk Roads - India as a trading partner of Ancient Rome and Greece.
4. Ages of Gold - The Gupta and Chola Empires which marked the Golden Age of Indian history around 300-600AD.
5. The Meeting of Two Oceans - Covers the period of Mughal rule including Akbar the Great around 1600AD.
6. Freedom - covering British rule and the struggle for independence.
It is a great advert for India and it's rich history, placing it on a par with other civilizations like the Egyptians, Greeks, Persians, Romans and Chinese. There are aspects (Aryan Migration Theory and Indus Valley Civilisation) that some Indian historians will be very unhappy about (as Wood mentions briefly) but until some-one makes a comparable series with evidence to support alternative ideas, this is the best documentary out there.... Read more ›
This series has the following 6 episodes on 2-discs.
1. Beginnings - Ancient rituals in South India and the Indus Valley Civilisation (3000BC) are explored
2. The Power of Ideas - covers the emergence of Buddhism around 500BC and the first Indian Empire led by the Maurya rulers.
3. Spice Routes and Silk Roads - India as a trading partner of Ancient Rome and Greece.
4. Ages of Gold - The Gupta and Chola Empires which marked the Golden Age of Indian history around 300-600AD.
5. The Meeting of Two Oceans - Covers the period of Mughal rule including Akbar the Great around 1600AD.
6. Freedom - covering British rule and the struggle for independence.
It is a great advert for India and it's rich history, placing it on a par with other civilizations like the Egyptians, Greeks, Persians, Romans and Chinese. There are aspects (Aryan Migration Theory and Indus Valley Civilisation) that some Indian historians will be very unhappy about (as Wood mentions briefly) but until some-one makes a comparable series with evidence to support alternative ideas, this is the best documentary out there.... Read more ›
116 of 120 people found the following review helpful
By Rowena Hoseason
TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
The BBC produced a whole range of TV series this summer based around the anniversary of the partition of India and Pakistan. Michael Wood's series is by far the best in every aspect. It's excellent television (goodness me, it's what we pay our licence fee for!).
Wood is an engaging, enthusiastic historian who obviously has a passion for Indian history, Indian culture, and the peoples of India. So the series traces the development of the sub-continent from its earliest days, when men first populated the area, through all the major historical events that have shaped the people and the places. Religion inevitably forms a spiritual spine to the series, but Wood manages to explain the different belief systems without patronising and keeps their impact intact.
Wood also dares to go where other 'presenters' don't dare to tread. In the course of the series he visit Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq (where he's been several times before) and Tibet, in order to better explain the historical context behind the waves of invaders who populated and influenced India. Mind you, I'm not convinced that the footage with the Dalai Lama was a first-person interview...
I found the Ganges series to be pretty but overly dramatic, and the two other 'personality' journeys into India and Pakistan, hosted by well known TV people who were tracing their family roots, to be superficial and overblown. This series is none of those things.
Instead it is colourful, engaging, entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable. My one criticism is that the final episode, which deals with the days of the British Empire and partition, is maybe a little too harsh. But that's obviously because Wood is personally uncomfortable with the history of Empire... and it's a minor point.... Read more ›
Wood is an engaging, enthusiastic historian who obviously has a passion for Indian history, Indian culture, and the peoples of India. So the series traces the development of the sub-continent from its earliest days, when men first populated the area, through all the major historical events that have shaped the people and the places. Religion inevitably forms a spiritual spine to the series, but Wood manages to explain the different belief systems without patronising and keeps their impact intact.
Wood also dares to go where other 'presenters' don't dare to tread. In the course of the series he visit Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq (where he's been several times before) and Tibet, in order to better explain the historical context behind the waves of invaders who populated and influenced India. Mind you, I'm not convinced that the footage with the Dalai Lama was a first-person interview...
I found the Ganges series to be pretty but overly dramatic, and the two other 'personality' journeys into India and Pakistan, hosted by well known TV people who were tracing their family roots, to be superficial and overblown. This series is none of those things.
Instead it is colourful, engaging, entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable. My one criticism is that the final episode, which deals with the days of the British Empire and partition, is maybe a little too harsh. But that's obviously because Wood is personally uncomfortable with the history of Empire... and it's a minor point.... Read more ›
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Lets get a few things clear, I'm a fan of Michael Wood, I'm an Indian and I absolutely loved his take on the Story of India.
Next many would say that Michael is a bit too close for comfort with the subject... India. I would agree. But I'm tired of long dispassionate discourses about a subject (example: Ganges DVD).
For once someone looks like he loves the subject and what he's doing.
And does he do it well? Absolutely!!
Next many would say that Michael is a bit too close for comfort with the subject... India. I would agree. But I'm tired of long dispassionate discourses about a subject (example: Ganges DVD).
For once someone looks like he loves the subject and what he's doing.
And does he do it well? Absolutely!!
48 of 50 people found the following review helpful
By C. Parkin
Format:DVD
I had heard that this was going to be a good series, but it has far exceeded my expectations. What a fascinating, absorbing and completely educational programme from Mr Wood! Shamefully, despite being of Indian origin myself, I had very little knowlegde of the ancient history of my heritage. Mr Wood has a wonderful knack of condensing vast amounts of history into a language that is easily understood and relating the ancient past of India to its present. The photography and presentation is exquisite and I wish documentaries like these were compulsory in schools in the UK!!
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Emily's Mum
Format:DVD
Yes I know the DVD isn't out yet, but this has been a wonderful series so far. The production values and photography are excellent, you can almost smell the spices and the colours of India are shown in all their glory. As always Michael Wood makes a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable presenter. I knew very little about Indian history before watching this and have found it very interesting and informative. I think Mr Singh is being a little harsh in his review below and may I cheekily suggest he gets his own facts right - Michael's surname is WOOD not Woods! :-)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A passionate and beautiful film about a remarkable country
Michael Wood is above all else passionate about India! This passion and the skill of the film-makers capturing it carry the viewer through the remarkable history of India and the... Read more
Published 19 days ago by Richard Yensen
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Story of India
I watched this first as a series and was captivated by the sheer scale of the endeavour. Michael Wood has a wonderful way of telling historical stories so that they come alive. Read more
Published 19 days ago by Mr John Pollard
5.0 out of 5 stars
The story of India
I found this as good as I did on the one On China the photography was glorious & Michael Wood speaking made it
very interesting 2 DVD's as well made it so interesting I new... Read more
very interesting 2 DVD's as well made it so interesting I new... Read more
Published 19 days ago by Janet Cook
5.0 out of 5 stars
charming
we recently toured India, and I bought this to learn a little more of the history. Very informative, and charmingly presented by Michael Wood.
Published 1 month ago by P R Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars
India DVD
Really enjoyed watching the series on BBC 4 and love to watch over as it reminds me of my trip to India. Very informative and interesting historically.
Published 1 month ago by Julie
5.0 out of 5 stars
fabulous
What i like best about this series is that Michael Wood gets down in the mud and dirt and wanders through the streets and talks to the people who live there. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Tando
5.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining, Panoramic view of India's history
Historian Michael Wood is a treat to watch. An academic with a Hollywood flair.
While not a complete history by any means, this series (6 episodes) gives a sweeping... Read more
While not a complete history by any means, this series (6 episodes) gives a sweeping... Read more
Published 2 months ago by David Fabik
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredible India
That is what this dvd in all its magnificent colour illustrates. Michael Wood is marvellous and I would recommend this to anyone planning a trip to this wonderful vibrant country
Published 3 months ago by Boudicca
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best documentary about India I have seen
Michael Wood is a reporter that lives his work - totally at ease as he travels around India - his passion and respect for the people there come through on every part of this... Read more
Published 3 months ago by D. A. Rose
5.0 out of 5 stars
Story of India
Bought as gift for regular travellers to India. They approved of this gift, commenting favourably on the scope of photography and the accuracy of the content as far as they could... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mike Travis
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