Ancient city of Takshashila (Taxila)

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 university, place with historical importance, ancient civilization
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Takshashila (Taxila) was an early center of learning dating back to at least the 5th century BCE. There is some disagreement about whether Takshashila can be considered a university. While some consider Taxila to be an early university or centre of higher education, others do not consider it a university in the modern sense, in contrast to the later Nalanda University. Takshashila is described in some detail in later Jātaka tales, written in Sri Lanka around the 5th century CE.
Stupa base at Sirkap, decorated with Jain, Hindu, Buddhist, and Greek temple fronts.Takshashila is considered a place of religious and historical sanctity by Jain and Buddhists. The former do so not only because, in its time, Takshashila was the seat of Vedic learning, but also because the strategist, Chanakya, who later helped consolidate the empire of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya, was a senior teacher there. The institution is very significant in Buddhist tradition since it is believed that the Mahāyāna sect of Buddhism took shape there.
Some scholars date Takshashila's existence back to the 6th century BCE or 7th century BCE. It became a noted centre of learning at least several centuries before Christ, and continued to attract students from around the old world until the destruction of the city in the 5th century CE. Takshashila is perhaps best known because of its association with Chanakya. The famous treatise Arthashastra (Sanskrit for The knowledge of Economics) by Chanakya, is said to have been composed in Takshashila itself. Chanakya (or Kautilya), the Maurya Emperor Chandragupta and the Ayurvedic healer Charaka studied at Taxila.
Generally, a student entered Takshashila at the age of sixteen. The Vedas and the Eighteen Arts, which included skills such as archery, hunting, and elephant lore, were taught, in addition to its law school, medical school, and school of military science.
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Coordinates:   33°44'36"N   72°49'18"E

Comments

  • Given Informations are realy great. This is the oldest cultural place of Asia which recalls our great history, culture,education and unity.Please show respect to that place.
  • Taxla was once used to be a capital of Indus vally(Punjab)
  • plz dont edit the information as it is precious & and very difficult to find again... ur friend aqz...
  • The view of this magnificent Archeological and Historic site, so important to the past Glory of this Sub-Continent, from above brings tears of joy to me, i appreciate the way Archaeological department of Pakistan has kept this site......BRAVO !
  • Such a great institution. How did it come to end?
  • Taxila or Takshila University, during fifth-century; I would jump, even now,....,not a creeper! I was born, seventy-three years,back, now, at Hazro, District Cambelpur; a few miles away, may be less than 20 or 30 miles! I must announce, my birth; probably, I learnt, from the world and.. the place, Hazro has instinct..! I must bow my head, far-away, to TAXILA and Hazro, from 3600 kilometers!
  • Is it only ancient ruins or a place in use today?
  • this is realy great info abt histroy. i aam very much interested in history..this gives us a great touch related to taxila culture history and its civilization also..
  • All indian educationist as well as students,teachers and administrators must learn from the history of taxila about education policy.
  • india is the best incredible india!! india was much developed than European countries in its past but these invasions destroyed it
  • Useless website
  • Very useful. As nalanda university is the oldest university of the world and as disscused before that every piece of knowledge that was burnt is being revealed today. If the university had not been burnt we would have advanced so far till now.
  • Exactly...
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This article was last modified 8 years ago