Product Details

• Directors: Cromwell Productions
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Kultur Video
• DVD Release Date: January 31, 2006
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000CQQIYY
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #15,085 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #4 in	Movies & TV > Documentary > History > Ancient History
  #13 in	Movies & TV > Documentary > History > World History & Culture
  #72 in	Movies & TV > Special Interests > History

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The story of India is one of fabulous dynasties and kings, timeless belief systems and golden ages of culture. This fascinating program journeys through the centuries to demonstrate how glories such as the Taj Mahal reflect the character of a unique people. Authoritative and entertaining, this program features a stunning graphic re-creation of an Indus Valley City of the Second Millennium BC. Features superb 3D graphics, State-of-the-art computer generated animation, all new location footage, and expert commentary and analyses.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a good reference, June 25, 2006

By	mka9 (USA) - See all my reviews

Quite informative for a 50 minute program, but it helps to have a little background knowledge on the subject matter. As with other DVD's from this series, the subject is too broad to be adequately covered in that amount of time. So topics such as the Sikh and Jain religions are not really discussed. I found this DVD is a good reference to be used in conjunction with other sources of information.

commentary by:
Rakesh Dayaz (historian)
Derek Kennet (research fellow, Archaeology, Durham University)
Sunil Kumar (cultural historian)
Dr Vivek Nanda (Institute of Archaeology, University College, London)
Dr David Hardiman (history lecturer, Warwick University)

Chapters:
1. Opening
2. Origins of Indian Civilization
3. Cities of the Indus Valley
4. Indus Valley Beliefs
5. The Vedic Period
6. The Caste System
7. The Mauryan Empire
8. Rise of Buddhism
9. The Ajanta Caves
10. The Gupta Dynasty
11. The Rajput Empire
12. Rise of Islam
13. Islamic Architecture
14. The Mogul Empire
15. The Taj Mahal

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good overview of Indian history, December 3, 2006

By	Kim Boykin (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This 50-minute documentary is a good overview of the history of India through the 17th century, with special attention to archaeology and architecture. Topics include the Indus Valley civilization, the Aryans, the Vedic period, karma and reincarnation, the caste system, the Mauryan Empire, Ashoka and the rise of Buddhism, the Gupta Dynasty and the resurgence of Hinduism, the Rajput Empire, the rise of Islam, the Mughal Empire, and the Taj Mahal.

If you're considering using this video in the classroom or watching it with children, note that one of the architectural treasures from the Rajput Empire is a temple covered with explicitly sexual sculptures.

Also recommended: "The Soul of India," a 90-minute guided tour of India.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Review for AP World History, November 4, 2006

By	Robert Marshall (Killeen Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The film covers Indian history from the Indus Valley civilization (Harappa) through the Mughals. It hits all the major points needed for a good review of Indian history prior to the AP World History exam. It is also good for discussions on change-over-time in India. The film can also be shown in segments to reinforce instruction as you go along.