India on Film - S1E1: Jewel of the Empire

India on Film explores the earliest footage of India dating back to 1899. Much of this archive has never been seen before, now expertly restored and digitized by the British Film Institute, and shown for the first time. 

This fascinating archive paints India as a gigantic melting pot. We see rickshaw pullers, maharajahs, British colonialists and missionaries through the lens of professional and amateur filmmakers. We experience major events and rituals as if we were there – including the famous Delhi Durbars and some of the earliest films ever shot of Gandhi. 

India on Film is part of the trilogy which includes China on Film and Singapore on Film. This exclusive two-parter contains contributions from a wide range of world-renowned experts, including historians and writers William Dalrymple and Manu Pillai. The series is narrated by Bollywood actor, Rahul Bose.