The history of city dates back to fifthth Century BC, to the Gandhāran city of Takṣaśilā which was an important Hindu and Buddhist centre. The city also held great importance during Alexander’s campaign in ancientIndia. In 1980, UNESCO declared Taxila a World Heritage Site with multiple locations.
Tourism – The Reason of Fame:
Taxila hosts hundreds of tourists from all parts of the world. In 2006 it was ranked as the top tourist destination in Pakistanby The Guardian newspaper.
Ruins of the ancient city Takṣaśilā, the cities of Hathial, Sirkap and Sirsukh, Number of Buddhist buildings and Stupas including ruins of the Stupa at Dharmarajika, the monastery at Jaulian and the monastery at Mohra Muradu, attract many foreign and local tourists to the city.
Nicholson’s obelisk (a monument built by the British to pay tribute to Brigadier John Nicholson who died in the War of Independence 1857) situated at the Grand Trunk road welcomes the travelers coming from Rawalpindi/Islamabad into Taxila. Relics of Mughal gardens and vestiges of historical Grand Trunk Road, which was built by Emperor Sher Shah Suri in the 15 and 16 centuries, are also found in Taxila region. The serene beauty of Margalla Hills, that surround the city, left a deep impression on the visitors.
TaxilaMuseum, dedicated mainly to the remains of Gandhara civilization, is also worth visiting. A hotel of the tourism department offers great hospitality to the tourists.
In past, tourists used to enjoy traveling through the city via Taanga (horse carriages). According to many sources, Taxila is the first Pakistani city where Qing Qi (motorcycle rickshaws that are also known as Ching Chi), were introduced way back in 1999.
Industries of Taxila have contributed a great deal to the success of country over the years. The industries include Heavy Mechanical Complex (HMC), Ordinance factories of Wah Cantt (POF) and cement factory. Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT), supplier of the weaponry and arsenal for Pakistan Army, is also based here. Small household industries that majorly involve the work of stone are also a great import of this city.
Taxila has always been famous for providing World Class Education. Many sources believe that Taxila was the home to one of the oldest universities in the world. At present,UniversityofEngineeringand Technology (UET) and the education city ofHITEC, are equipping the young minds of the country with knowledge and skills that can rival any top educational institutes in the country.
Apart from the dust pollution caused by the ever going stone mining outside the city, the atmosphere of Taxila is very fresh thanks to the surrounding Margalla Hills. The city also gets its fair share of rains throughout the year.
The land of Taxila is very fertile and hence many fruits and vegetables grow here. Fig (angeer) and Loquat are two fruits that grow here which aren’t found much in the other parts of the country. As soon as you step outside the main city and reach Jaulian, an abundance of orange gardens will welcome you. Taxila is also famous for its cabbages.
The cuisines that are rare to this city include Amarassa (a sweet snack made from rice flour and brown sugar) and Choori (a dish that is made in homes by grinding breads made from porridge). With the passage of time, these dishes have become scarce; however they’re still enjoyed by many locals.
Verdict:
The people of Taxila are famous for their hospitality and I urge every fellow Pakistani to visit this city at least once. However it is also important that we urge the concerned authorities to look after the historical sites. In a 2010 report titled Saving Our Vanishing Heritage, Global Heritage Fund identified Taxila as one of the 12 worldwide sites most “On the Verge” of irreparable loss and damage. Let us make sure that this city with more than 2500 years of history will stand proud in the years to come.
