A new series revealing the stories behind iconic artefacts from the Indian Subcontinent.

Episode 1. Tippoo's Tiger

This programme looks at the automaton Tippoo's Tiger, depicting a life-size tiger devouring a European soldier. The automotan is made of wood with an organ inside which omits a shrieking noise and roars as the mechanism works, and is housed in the V&A. It was owned by the 18th century Indian ruler Tipu Sultan, also known as the Tiger of Mysore and may have been inspired by the death of British soldier, Hugh Munro and reveals Tipu Sultan's hatred towards the British.

Episode 2. The Great Stupa Sculptures

This programme looks at a collection of stone carvings in the British Museum originally from a vast Buddhist monument in ancient India dating predominantly from the second and third centuries AD, and tells the story of how in 1866 architectural historian James Fergusson, found the sculptures that had been brought to London to be housed in The India Museum, languishing in a shed and rescued them.

Episode 3. Shiva and Parvati Seated on a Terrace

The series revealing the stories behind iconic artefacts from the Indian Subcontinent continues with a look at the Hindu god Shiva and his partner Parvati depicted in a detailed miniature. It was bought by a British army officer in India at the end of the 18th century and dates from a time when two great nations met as equals.

Episode 4. The Golden Throne
The series revealing the stories behind iconic artefacts from the Indian Subcontinent continues with a look at the octagonal ceremonial throne made of pure gold for the Maharaja Ranjit Singh of the Punjab, probably commissioned to celebrate the Sikhs conquering the city of Multan.

Episode 5. The Hamzanama

One of the great masterpieces of Mughal art, the 16th century Hamzanama, also known as the Dastan-e Amir Hamza paintings took 15 years to complete and were commissioned by the 13-year-old Emperor Akbar to illustrate the Adventures of Amir Hamza. Originally comprising of 1,400 large folios, with paintings on one side and arabic script on the reverse, just a few remain in collections around the world, several of which are housed in the V&A.

Episode 6. The Tara Statue

In the last in the series, this programme looks at the near life size statue of the goddess Tara from the 7th or 8th century AD. Found in Sri Lanka, brought back by Sir Robert Brownrigg the governor of Ceylon during the 19th century and now housed in the British Museum.

BBC, Documentary