Beginnings
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.
In this first episode Michael Wood travels throughout the subcontinent, tracing the richness and diversity of its peoples, cultures and landscapes. Through ancient manuscripts and oral tales Michael charts the first human migrations out of Africa. He travels from the tropical backwaters of South India through lost ancient cities in Pakistan to the vibrant landscapes of the Ganges plain.
In Turkmenistan dramatic archaeological discoveries cast new light on India’s past. Here they find a civilisation named “Zorashtrian”, and there they also find horse drawn carts or chariots called Raths which are mentioned in the Rig Veda.
Released in 2007. Host: Michael Wood. TV documentary series.
