undergraduate prospectus 2011 - University of Engineering and ...

UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY- TAXILA / UNDERGRAD PROSPECTUS 2011
INTRODUCTION
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INTRODUCTION
THE CITY OF TAXILA
The antique name ‘Takshasila’ means the city of cut stones. Taxila has gained worldwide eminence for its archaeological sites.
Once a province of the powerful Achaemenian empire, Taxila was conquered by Alexander in 327 BC. It later came under the
Mauryan dynasty and attained a remarkably mature level of development under the great Ashoka. Then appeared the Indo-
Greek descendants of Alexander’s warriors and finally came the most creative period of Gandhara. The great Kushan dynasty
was established some where near 50 AD. During the next 200 years Taxila became a renowned centre of learning, philosophy,
art and religion, Jaulian being a centre of excellence or a university of that age. Pilgrims and travelers were attracted to it from
as far away as China and Greece.
History took a new turn around 1950 when Ordnance Factories were founded at Wah, adjacent to Taxila. The country’s
largest Mechanical Complex and Foundry were established at Taxila in mid sixties. In early seventies, the industrial progress
attained a new dimension when Taxila was chosen to have Heavy Industries Taxila near its world famous museum. At the same
time Pakistan’s largest Aeronautical Complex was established at Kamra which is about 45 km from Taxila. In mid seventies,
government of the Punjab found the city ideally suitable for establishing the constituent college of University of Engineering
and Technology, Lahore
Industrial progress in and around Taxila is gaining a newer pace. The neighboring industrial organizations are in the process of
rapid expansion. A new industrial zone has emerged in Hattar area, which is about 20 km away from Taxila. Taxila is emerging as
a leading industrial region at the national level. The strategic location is paving way for the city to act as a gateway to historical
“Silk Route”.