Ruins in fantasy land

Taxilla. It's a name that evoked memories of one's history books, of King Ambhi, of education. It's an ancient city that rose to prominence as one of the eminent seats of learning in the sub-continent, before being ravaged by invaders from Central Asia.

The ruins suggested a strong Buddhist influence and the place invoked a sense of awe. Imagining how people lived a few decades back is hard enough; trying to visualise lifestyles around 2nd century AD is quite mindboggling.

Museums help - one gets a feel of the weaponry, the utensils, the currency, the script, the architecture, the clothes and the jewellery. The sight of imposing Buddhist stupas and the repeated mention of Asoka makes one realise the religious influence in these parts. But it's the ruins that are tough to unravel.

You see rows and rows of stone colonies, planned drainage systems, water faucets, and innovative ventilation. You are shown enclosures and told about this being a marriage hall and that being a courtroom. But nothing is concrete, everything is left to the imagination. At a certain level, it's fantasy. It's wonderful.

The university, though, is something one can relate to. A room for each student, a monastry in the middle, prayer halls in the side, a common washroom and a awesome view of the mountains from all sides. One could imagine students from various lands arriving here, climbing the steep ascent, assembling in the monastry, meditating, learning, praying. Eons later, the ruins remain. It's wonderful.