Passage to India

Bettany Hughes takes an emotional tour of the Indian subcontinent

-  HANNAH DAVIES, IAN MACEWAN, RICHARD MCCLURE

NEW TRAVELOGUE

Exploring India’s Treasures with Bettany Hughes

Sun, 8pm, C4 (box set, Channel 4)

In her new two-part travelogue, historian Bettany Hughes showcases some of the cultural treasures of India, including the iconic Taj Mahal. But rather than just admiring their beauty and recounting their history, she sets out to connect them to the beliefs and emotions of India’s people.

‘It’s not just the what and the how, but the why,’ explains Hughes. ‘I’m asking: “Why do these beautiful places matter?”’

Here, the 56-year-old takes us on a whistlestop tour of some of the people, places and rituals that she encountered on her journey…

VARANASI

Hughes’ first stop, in the holy city of Varanasi, is a particularly emotional experience, because it’s an opportunity to honour her late mother in a ceremony of remembrance.