HISTORIC & ANCIENT RUINS # 1
Ruins from different countries and cultures all over the world tell fascinating stories of their distance pasts. They may be destroyed now, but their legacies still live on and on
ALESIA- France: Taking desperate yet futile last stand against the besieging Romans, Vercingetorix stationed his Gallic troops in this stronghold located atop a hill. After a six week long battle, Vercingetorix finally succumbed to the might of the Roman army. The historic battle of Alesia took place during 52 BC. The ensuing victory by Julius Caesar meant that he had bought down the rebellion by Gallic forces making the end of Gallic Wars and conquering Gaul.
LUMBINI- Nepal: Revered by Buddhists as the birth place of Lord Buddha in 563 BC. Buddha was an advocate for peace, mercy and non violence. The Maya Devi temple was claimed to be the site of his birth. Queen Maya Devi was reported to have bathed in Pushkarni, a sacred pond, before giving birth to Buddha under a ashoka tree. The Ashokan pillar was constructed by king Ashoka during the 3rd century BC. Chinese pilgrim Fa Xian recorded his journey in a booked called” A record of Buddhistic Kingdoms”.
KUSHINAGAR- India- this small town near Hiranyavati river was said to be where Lord Buddha reached Parinirvana upon his death. The last words of Lord Buddha to a large audience beneath the sala trees were ‘Decay is inherent in all composite things. Strive on with diligence” And thereafter in his 80th year of life and upon completion of this noble mission he lapsed peacefully into Parinirvana. His body was taken Makutabandhana the shrine of the Mallas, where he was cremated. His remains, like teeth and bones were separated into eight portions and were buried inside eight mud structures for about 200 years. They were then dug up by Emperor Ashoka and distributed to the other Stupa around his empire.
ANASARTHA-Syria: Rising up against Roman rule, a powerful warrior queen known as Queen Mavia conducted guerrilla warfare and destructive raids. She died in 425 AD was buried in this village- Anasartha. Queen Mavia wanted Moses to be the bishop of his nation as he was known for his ‘piety, faith & miracles’. However Roman emperor Valens was an Arian and his religious policies were at odds with Queen Mavia. She rebelled and her revolts were so devastating that emperor Vales called for a truce. Moses then became the first Arab Bishop, and Christianity was spread throughout her empire.
GORGAN-Iran: Slithering a distance of more than 200 kms, the ‘Red Snake’ was so called due to its red colored bricks. It was commonly known as the Great Wall of Gorgan and it was the 2nd longest wall in the world. Built as a defensive network to protect the northern-eastern borders of Iran, it stretched west from the shores of the Caspian Sea and meandered east towards the Alborz mountains. Many forts and castles were built along the wall and it withheld various attacks for centuries until it was eventually occupied by the Arabs and then attacked by the Mongols and Timur. Russians briefly occupied this region which was famous for its modern technology and warfare. Even to this day, it retains its historic value and continues to be an important monument to the people.