Customer Reviews

Ancient India: A Journey Back in Time (Lost Treasures of the Ancient World)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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

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.

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.

First off, let me say that the other review is a bit off-base. Although there might be some nudity involved it has much to do with their culture and it's not vulgar. Also it doesn't say it's meant for kids or for being used as a teaching aide. besides, the teacher should have watched it first to make sure it was suitable for children as with any program. It's a great DVD that is very informative and interesting. I learned quite a few things from this program and loved seeing Anicent India via this DVD. It's something that anyone who is interested in India or learning about amazing places should pick up. GOOD STUFF!

The DVD's focus is on the northern half of Indian civilization and only mentions (5 seconds on a map) of the southern Indian civilization (Dravidian). At least it does cover Mohenjo-Daro the predecessor to the Indus Valley Civilization. Computer Graphics (CG) is well used with Mohenjo-Daro as the structures are mostly in ruins. However the CG is way over used with structures that are well intact such as the Taj-mahal, Making the documentary more of an illusion with lots of hurried talk. A far better DVD for the price is BBC - around the world in 80 days which spends a whole episode on India - Sri Lanka with actual footage.

This video was a wonderful addition to my curriculum. It provide solid factual information with rich, detailed photography, computer-generated imagery and stunning graphical displays. It provided my students a much richer insight into "Old India" so that they could appreciate the culture in a more modern world.

Very Patchy work. The history here is spoken without any reference to the Deccan or South India. Highly confined to North India. Pandyas the longest surviving dynasties of the world, did not even have a mention. The Cholas, Pallavas and the golden age of India, where left without any mention.

Even in the history of North, not all major dynasties where covered. Probably the volume of work that could go into the DVD was the consideration, even then omissions are so glaring.

The coverage of Indus valley civilization was good.

This DVD tells you many things about Indias history. Without revieling the contents I would say it is worth the money. I give it 4 out of 5 because i wish it had longer chapters as I found my self wanting more. Probably the best documentary about Indian history that I have seen and great 3D re-creations.

Ancient India: A Journey Back in Time (Lost Treasures of the Ancient World) I bought this movie to show to my 6th grade students as part of the CA curriculum. It was extremely dry, but worse, suddenly appeared explicit sexual footage which led to parent uproars as students reported at home. Even though the scenes were high relief sculpture on an ancient building, they were totally inappropriate for students ... or adults who try to follow Gandhi's adage: "I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet."

Watched this film twice. Enjoyed.
Naturally in a mere hour this documentary could not cover such an extensive history.
The six part THE STORY OF INDIA is far better but also has six hours to do it's job.
Lots of art, architecture, photos to show the history. This is lacking in much of the southern history of the country.
Others have complained of the sexual stone reliefs shown briefly during the film. Americans really need to get over their sex negativity. If people hate sex so much they need to become hermits. It's a major part of history and daily life and can't be ignored. And it was a brief part of the film.
This was a decent film though i still recommend THE STORY OF INDIA 6 part series more.