Modi, Taxila and We

The Hunkar rally of BJP Prime Minister aspirant “Narendra Bhai Modi” was more than successful and challenged the ruling party of Bihar and India. It is obvious that, the ruling leaders need to criticize the speech of the leader to prove the inadequacy of the leadership.

As usual, he was named as ‘Feku’ being over-projecting the development in Gujarat but ever anybody spoke to Gujarathi people to sought their opinion on the Narendra Bhai’s development and his attempt for good governance? Sadly the answer is NO.

Secondly, inadequate study of the Indian History as Taxila Univerisity located in Bihar and Great Alexander lost the battle in Ganges. Whether Narendra Modi spoke on the above lies or twisting the history, let me leave it to viewer of the attached video of Hunkar Rally. 

But, there is one saying “ Learn from the History and create The HISTORY”. From History we can learn that Great Universities Takshashila and Nalanda lies in the Hindustan. Like Oxbridge (Combination of Oxford and Cambridge) we call them as Pride of Nation – Hindustan, never said to have located in same region. I don’t think its matter of criticism when there lies only ruins. The Great Alexander was lost the battle whether at Sutlej or Ganges are of least importance when we talk of Hindustan. His Victorious movement was stopped in Hindustan, our Motherland.

I am not sure how many of us really know about our Glorious History of Hindustan, we being the slaves of lifetime, learn the American Revolution, French Revolution etc in our school days. Nobody teach us about our own country’s great history, tradition, achievements as far as social, human development.

In a 2010 report, Global Heritage Fund identified Taxila as one of 12 worldwide sites most "On the Verge" of irreparable loss and damage, citing insufficient management, development pressure, looting, and war and conflict as primary threats

Ancient Takshashila was situated at the pivotal junction of India, western Asia and Central Asia. Owing to its strategic location, Taxila has changed hands many times over the centuries, with many empires vying for its control. When the great ancient trade routes connecting these regions ceased to be important, the city sank into insignificance and was finally destroyed by the nomadic Huns in the 5th century CE.

Takshshila is reputed to derive its name from Takṣa, who was the son of Bharata, the brother of the Hindu god Rama. Legend Takṣa ruled a kingdom called Takṣa Khanda, and founded the city of Takṣhshila. It is also mentioned, in the geat Hindu epic Mahābhārata, the Kuru heir Parikṣit (grandson of the Arjuna) was enthroned at Takṣaśilā. The city of Takshashila is also described in the Jataka literature as the capital of the kingdom of Gandhara and as a great centre of learning.

Takshashila became a noted centre of learning (including the religious teachings of Hinduism) at least several centuries BCE, and continued to attract students from around the old world until the destruction of the city in the 5th century. At its height, it has been suggested that Takshashila exerted a sort of "intellectual suzerainty" over other centres of learning in India. Generally, a student entered Takshashila at the age of sixteen, after completing the primary and secordary education at home chiefly to reach the ends of knowledge in specific disciplines. The Vedas, the ancient and the most revered Hindu scriptures, and the Eighteen Silpas or 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. Students came to Takshashila from far-off places such as Kashi, Kosala and Magadha, in spite of the long and arduous journey they had to undergo, on account of the excellence of the learned teachers there, all recognized as authorities on their respective subjects.

Taxilla was considered to be amongst the earliest universities in the world. No external authorities like kings subjected the scholastic activities at Takshashila to their control. Each teacher was enjoying complete autonomy in work, teaching as many students as he liked and teaching subjects he liked without conforming to any centralized syllabus. For a specialisation in a subject took around eight years, though this could be lengthened or shortened in accordance with the intellectual abilities and dedication of the student in question. In most cases the "schools" were located within the teachers' private houses, and at times students were advised to quit their studies if they were unable to fit into the social, intellectual and moral atmosphere there.

Knowledge was considered too sacred to be bartered for money. Financial support for running the university; free boarding and lodging came from the society at large, as well as from rich merchants and wealthy parents. Though the number of students studying under a single Guru sometimes numbered in the hundreds, teachers did not deny education even if the student was poor. Students had to do manual work in the household. Guru Dakshina was usually expected at the completion of a student's studies, as a mere token of respect and gratitude - many times being nothing more than a turban, a pair of sandals, or an umbrella.

The process of teaching was critical and thorough- unless one unit was mastered completely, the student was not allowed to proceed to the next. Both theoretical and practical aspects of the subjects were taught, and particular care was taken to ensure competence of students in case of subjects like medicine, where improper practice could result in disaster. No examinations, no convocations were held upon completion, and no written "degrees" were awarded, since it was believed that knowledge was its own reward. Using knowledge for earning a living or for any selfish end was considered sacrilegious.

Takshashila had great influence on the Hindu culture and Sanskrit language. It is perhaps best known because of its association with renowned disciples

• Chanakya, also known as Kautilya, the strategist who guided Chandragupta Maurya and assisted in the founding of the Mauryan empire. The Arthashastra (The knowledge of Economics) of Chanakya, is been composed in Takshashila.
• The Ayurvedic healer Charaka also studied and taught Medical at Taxila.
• The ancient grammarian Pāṇini, who codified the rules that would define Classical Sanskrit, has been part of the community at Takshashila.
• Jivaka, the court physician of the Magadha emperor Bimbisara who once cured the Buddha, and the enlightened ruler of Kosala, studied in Takshashila

Currently, Taxila is situated about 32 km (20 mi) north-west of Islamabad and Rawalpindi; just off the famous Grand Trunk Road. The town lies 549 metres (1,801 ft) above sea level. It is the head-quarters of the Taxila Tehsil in Rawalpindi district, Pakistan. Renowned archaeologist Sir Alexander Cunningham rediscovered the ruins of Takṣaśilā in mid-19th century. In 1980, Taxila was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2006 it was ranked as the top tourist destination in Pakistan by The Guardian newspaper