Taksha City: An Immersive Unearthing of the ‘City of Cut Stone

Abstract

Taxila, once the capital city of ancient Gandhara civilization, comprises of various archaeological heritage sites. The several evolution periods the city has seen with respect to its religious demographics, technological advancements, and arts contribute to its historic fabric and are an asset to the world of heritage preservation. This thesis proposes an interpretation center in the role of a landmark, integrated in the city of Taxila. The aim of this project is to showcase a technologically immersive journey that will showcase the rise and fall of Takshashila (meaning ‘City of Cut Stone’, currently known as Taxila) to the point it culminates into the present-day Taxila and recognize the impact of archaeological heritage tourism on stimulating a city’s economy that is becoming increasingly dependent on the production and consumption of culture. This interpretation center will bridge the gap between the present and the preserved past, acting as a place of learning, as well as a site of revenue generation that is rooted in the fabric of its surroundings. A historic and present-day site analysis will assist in reinterpreting the heritage to weave together the city’s history with the visitor’s notion of journeying. This will eventually become a celebrated unearthing of the heritage of Taxila that truly depicts its evolution as a settlement.