*TAXILA'S WORLD TRANCE*

WHEN it comes to the ancient history, Asia and Pakistan has its fair share of treasures of which the most prominent and undeniably important-

Archaeological sites in South Asia is Taxila, a place where rich human civilizations rose and declined over the last millennia.

Sadeed Arif, assistant professor of archaeology at  the Quaid-e-Azam University in Islamabad told  Xinhua that :

Taxila was ruled by various empires over the centuries for its special location and also an important trade route in the time of yore.

The ancient city used to be a regional or  national capital.

Once strategically important place that linked Southern, Western and Central Asia regions to the West, Taxila was a meeting point of various cultures which include:

Achaemenids, Hellinstic, Mauryans, Indo Greek, Kushan, Gupta, Huns, and eventually the Muslims, said Arif, adding that a different religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism had been practiced in Taxila.

Located at a drive of some 30 km in northwest of the capital of Islamabad, Taxila attracts around  800, 000 to one million people, including local and foreign tourists each year-

Due to its fascinating archeology, history, relics art or architecture. said Nasir Khan, administrator at a Museum in Taxila -

Which was set up to provide an efficient guide to the three millennia of human civilization under one roof and to make the ancient city's vast wonders accessible to all.

The archaeological sites of Taxila are well preserved and maintained due to serious efforts by the  Pakistani government.

'Tthe number of tourists visiting the site has drastically increased in the recent years mainly due to  improved security situation in the country and the removal of unnecessary traveling restrictions imposed by the government in the past,'' said Nasir Khan.

The number could be increased  if government would simplify the procedures for foreigners who intend to visit the place,'' Khan added. [Xinhua].