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.
Mahabharata occurred in 850 BCE and was written in 100,000 verses (shlokas) much later. Land became property then, but patriarchy was not yet fully rooted. Yudhisthir gambled everything and war became inevitable after his 13-year exile.
The Pandavas defeat the Kauravas in battle. Later, a centralized state administration, a tax system and a regular army were introduced. Property rights became paramount. Bhisma expounds wisdom on his death bed, titled as Shanti Parv.
The earliest play on Ramayan was called 'Pratima Natakam', written by poet Bhas around 200 BCE. Valmiki's Ramayan came later. While in exile for 14 years, Sita urges Ram to not fight the forest tribes who oppose saints living there.
Ravan kidnaps Sita because Ram had injured his sister Suparnakha. Ram had also decimated the Ravan ruled tribals of the forest. Ravan is vanquished in war. On his death bed, he answers several philosophical questions put to him by Ram.
During 5 BCE and later, some territories of the Indo-Gangetic plains were republics, with collective decision making, while others were monarchical kingdoms. The monarchies were assertive, and many republics were forced to accept them.
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.
The Sangam Period in south India occurred between 300 BC and 300 AD. Tamil language and poetry got a boost. The story of Puhar (Poompuhar) residents Kovalan, his wife Kannagi and his ill-fated love affair with Madhavi is narrated.
The story of Kovalan and Kannaki continues. They travel to Madurai. There Kovalan is killed after being falsely implicated in the robbery of the Queen's jewels. Kannaki is enraged and curses Madurai, and the city is destroyed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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'.
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.