Alexander Armstrong embarks on an epic journey across India to explore how a nation that gained independence 77 years ago is now a rising global superpower. With the world's largest population – 1.4 billion and counting - what do India's history, traditions, and people reveal about its rapid ascent?
In this first episode, Alexander Armstrong dives headfirst into the glorious chaos of Mumbai - India's fastest, loudest, and most crowded city, where gleaming skyscrapers rise above sprawling slums.Property prices are sky high, and curious to see what the local property boom looks like, Alexander meets Ravi - a charming, fast-talking estate agent - who shows him the highs (luxury flats with sea views) and the lows (eye-watering prices). Along the way, Alexander takes in some of old Bombay's traditional colonial splendour - grand Victorian stations, ornate libraries - before stopping for a bite of Mumbai's favourite street snack: the Vada Pav, a fiery vegetarian burger that doesn't hold back.The contrasts continue in Dharavi, one of Asia's largest slums, now the focus of a controversial redevelopment plan. Alexander meets residents caught in the middle - families trying to defend their patch in a city bursting at the seams.As the monsoon breaks, he joins the city's legendary dabbawallas - an astonishingly efficient army of lunchbox delivery men - for a very wet day at the office.Finally, Alexander travels north to Delhi, India's seat of power. He visits the an incredible Mughal masterpiece before witnessing the stark, everyday reality of life and death in the capital - the cremation of a homeless man.From ancient empires to urban sprawl, spicy snacks to billionaires, this is an India of wild contrasts and rich complexity - and Alexander Armstrong is in the thick of it.
E1
In this first episode, Alexander Armstrong dives headfirst into the glorious chaos of Mumbai - India's fastest, loudest, and most crowded city, where gleaming skyscrapers rise above sprawling slums.Property prices are sky high, and curious to see what the local property boom looks like, Alexander meets Ravi - a charming, fast-talking estate agent - who shows him the highs (luxury flats with sea views) and the lows (eye-watering prices). Along the way, Alexander takes in some of old Bombay's traditional colonial splendour - grand Victorian stations, ornate libraries - before stopping for a bite of Mumbai's favourite street snack: the Vada Pav, a fiery vegetarian burger that doesn't hold back.The contrasts continue in Dharavi, one of Asia's largest slums, now the focus of a controversial redevelopment plan. Alexander meets residents caught in the middle - families trying to defend their patch in a city bursting at the seams.As the monsoon breaks, he joins the city's legendary dabbawallas - an astonishingly efficient army of lunchbox delivery men - for a very wet day at the office.Finally, Alexander travels north to Delhi, India's seat of power. He visits the an incredible Mughal masterpiece before witnessing the stark, everyday reality of life and death in the capital - the cremation of a homeless man.From ancient empires to urban sprawl, spicy snacks to billionaires, this is an India of wild contrasts and rich complexity - and Alexander Armstrong is in the thick of it.
E2
On the second leg of his Indian adventure, Alexander Armstrong heads north to the state of Rajasthan to visit the legendary Pink City of Jaipur.After arriving via the brand-new highway, Alexander sets off to explore the city's rich history and is impressed by stunning jewellery collection at the Gem Palace which, in the past, has attracted some high profile visitors including the Queen, Lady Di, Bill Clinton and Gwyneth Paltrow - and where Alexander sees some unusual and pricey items including diamond earrings worth £300,000. As he continues his journey, he's captivated by Jaipur's streets bursting with history and heritage.Alexander travels 2,000 km south to the state of Karnataka, stopping at Ramanagara to explore the town's lucrative silk industry before venturing into tiger country at Bandipur National Park. Once a declining species in India, tiger populations are now thriving. But this success comes at a cost. Alexander meets conservationist Sunita Dhairyam to learn about the realities of living alongside these beautiful - but deadly - wild cats, before setting out on a safari to try and see one for himself.At an ancient pilgrimage site, Alexander learns how monkeys here are considered sacred. Some residents love the macaque monkeys, and some residents loathe them. It's a hot topic, and Alexander speaks to people on both sides.Alexander soon discovers that while Jaipur is steeped in heritage, the next generation are making their own rules. Entrepreneur Randhir Singh invites Alexander into his less-than-traditional leather workshop, where he is producing various goods for the Indian market, including some for the erotic market. He also has a unique portrait taken with a fabulous antique camera by one of India's last street photographers, Tikam Chand.