“The History of Hindu India” (Part Two) was developed by the editors of Hinduism Today magazine in collaboration with Dr. Shiva Bajpai, Professor Emeritus of History, California State University Northridge. It is intended to provide an authentic presentation of the history of India and Hinduism for use in American middle and high school classes, as well as Hindu temple study groups and general presentations on the Hindu religion and history. Covering Indian history from 300 to 1100 ce, this documentary is based on the second chapter of the textbook, “The History of Hindu India,” published in 2011. It opens with magnificent footage of the famed Kailasanatha Temple in Maharashtra, then presents the political history of India at a time when a third of the world’s population lived there. It explores the Gupta Empire, the Huna invasions, the visits of Buddhist monks Faxian and Xuanzang, the initial incursions of Arab Muslim armies in the 8th century, and the rise of the great Chola kingdom of South India. City and village life is described, along with marriage arranging and jati, the joint family structure. This period also witnessed the beginning of the Bhakti Movement and the construction of thousands of famous and still active Hindu temples.

Glosari