Bharat Ek Khoj

- Season 1

(1988)

Jawarharlal Nehru, in his book, The Discovery of India, talks about his extensive tours of British occupied India in 1936 - 37. He mentions the major rivers, Sarnath, the Asoka Pillar, Fatehpur Sikri and the Indus Valley Civilization.

Primitive man used stone weapons and tools, hunted in groups and shared food. He later began to farm in river basins and trade. The Indus Valley Civilization flourished from 2500 to 1900 BCE and then declined in the next 300 years.

The Aryans entered India through the Indus Valley settlements between 2000 and 1000 BCE. These vedic people were warriors, farmed only a little and relied more on pasturing cattle. The Vedas and Avesta arose from a common pool of thought.

Nehru describes the formation of caste system in Later Rigvedic period. The working of the system is attempted to be explained through 3 stories: Shambhuk, Eklavya and the Son of Three Fathers.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Story of Nachiketa and Yama and about Jainism and Buddhism is depicted. Sri Buddha and Angulimal story is also depicted.

After getting insulted at Dhanananda's court, Chanakya Vishnugupta vows to uproot the Nanda dynasty from Pataliputra (Magadha) with the help of his friend, student and future Emperor Chandragupta Maurya.

Chanakya's betrayal of Virochak, killing of Dhanananda, Suvasini's acceptance of Buddhism, Rakshasa's futile attempt of revolt, establishment of Mauryan Empire, Chanakya's return to Taxila and Chandragupta's decision to become Jaina monk.

Ashoka's administration of Ujjain, patronage to Buddhism and to the traders guild, construction of the stupa at Sanchi, marriage with Devi, struggle for the throne of Magadha, subjugation of Sushima and consolidation of the Empire.

Ashoka's governance of the vast empire, war with Kalinga republic, Tissa's (Buddhist Monk) message of middle path and spread of the teachings of Dhamma across the subcontinent.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Nehru explains the classical age through Shudraka's Mrichchhakatikam

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Political and cultural developments in seventh century India is sought to be depicted through Kanyakubja King Harshavardhana and Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang. Harshavardhana's Naganand, Sanskrit play, is also acted out.

Development of Bhakti Movements in India is explained. Pallava King Mahendravarman's Sanskrit play Mattavilasa Prahasana is acted out.

After the death of his uncle, Rajaraja Chola becomes the Emperor, punishes killers of his brother, constructs a temple as per his grandmother's wishes, administers the empire and plans to construct an enormous temple, surrounded by a city.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Nehru describes the arrival of Islam in India as a religion and a political force, both. Politics and power struggle between Prithviraj (Chahamana King) and Shahabuddin Ghori is depicted.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Nehru explains expanse of Bhakti tradition from South to North India, influence of Vendantic thoughts on Islam and vice versa, syncretism of Kabir and religious reformation by Guru Nanak. Mulla Dawood's play 'Chandayan' is enacted.

Ascent to the throne, rule and governance of Emperor Krishnadevraya of Tuluva dynasty, conflicts with his Nayaks, relations with the Portugese and the Bahmani Sultanate and wars with Bijapur's Adil Shah and the Gajpati kingdom of Odisha.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

16th century political and military developments in Southern India leading to the Battle of Talikota and ultimate destruction of Vijayanagara Empire. Important characters: Ramaraya, Ali Adil Shah, Ibrahim Qutub Shah and Hussain Nizam Shah.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Akbar's early rule, disputes with Ulemas, conflict with Rana Pratap, establishment of Ibadat Khana, visit of Portugese Jesuit Mission and declaration of Din-i Ilahi.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Early exploits of Shivaji Maharaj, establishing administration in the 12 Maval region and capturing of Torana and Purandar forts.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Appointment of Raza Khan as Naib Suba of Murshidabad, return of Robert Clive as Governor of Fort William, granting of Diwani to EIC, working of and obstructions in revenue administration and unchecked corruption of Company officials.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Ram Mohan Roy's fight against Sati practice, establishment of Brahmo Samaj, opposition from Dharma Sabha, free thinking views of Henry deRozio, Young Bengal movement and Roy's departure to England.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Nehru explains the exploitation of poor peasants by inhuman European Planters through the story of Madhav, a poor peasant. Script for the episode is adapted from Lalbehari Dey's book 'Bengal Peasant Life'.

Jyotirao's reforms, tribulations, providing education to backward classes, Dakshina Prize issue, adopting a child, writing 'Gulamgiri', agitation against widow head-shaving, confronting Govind Ranade and establishing the Satyashodhak Samaj

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Narendra's initial association with the Brahmo Samaj, his search for God/Truth, learnings with Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, travels across the country, earning the title of "Vivekananda" and speech at the Parliament of Religions, Chicago.

Age of Consent Bill controversy, celebration of Shiv Jayanti, plague outbreak in Poona, arrest and sentencing of Tilak for sedition, Bengal partition, boycott of British goods, split in INC and eventual weakening of the national movement.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Beginnings of separatism in British India- explained through the socio-political developments in the United Provinces, commencing with the protests against Simon Commission and concluding with the results of the Provincial Elections, 1937.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.