Persia has been ruled by a series of dynasties from the 7th century BC to the 7th century AD. These include the Median Empire (678-550 BC), the Achaemenid Empire (550-330 BC) which was conquered by Alexander the Great and replaced by the Seleucid Empire (312-63 BC), Parthian Empire (247 BC - 224 AD), and the Sassanian Empire (224 - 651 AD). The Sassanians were conquered by the Muslim Arabs in the 7th century AD. The Persian Civilisation is often identified with the Achaemenid Empire under which the region flourished the most. During their reign the Persian Empire was the largest in the world and extended from Egypt in the west to Turkey in the North,and from Mesopotamia to the western borders of India. They were credited for having introduced many new things that went on to be replicated in other parts of the world.
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PRISON TOURS as part of Dark Tourism
One of the first signs of the beginning of understanding is the wish to die. This life appears unbearable, another unattainable. One is no longer ashamed of wanting to die; one asks to be moved from the old cell, which one hates, to a new one, which one will only in time come to hate. In this there is also a residue of belief that during the move the master will chance to come along the corridor, look at the prisoner and say: “This man is not to be locked up again, he is to come with me.” – Franz Kafka in Blue Octavo Notebooks.
THE KILLING FIELDS
CHOEUNG EK Site of a former orchard and mass grave of victims of the Khmer Rouge (killed between 1975 and 1979) near Phnom Penh, Cambodia
7 Indian Prisons One Can Visit As A Tourist
If you are looking for a fun-filled vacation, this is not an article to please you. This is for those who like to experiment with new and unique experiences. Spending time behind bars in a dark prison cell, wearing a jail uniform made of khaki and having the basic jail food there, may be a nightmare for most, but adventure enthusiasts are increasingly being drawn to prison tourism of this kind globally. India too has caught up to the race and today there are a few prisons in India which are tourist attractions for various reasons. While some are famous historically, others have interesting museums and yet others provide pay and stay facilities. One does not really need to commit a crime to experience these prisons nor a bail for release.
Bengal's Biggest Carnival
The Durga Puja is like the Carnival of Bengal. People wait and plan for an entire year for these few days of the festival. But this year’s Durga Puja has been different. With almost no pandal hopping, restricted crowding, limited fanfare, this annual festival was celebrated sans the quintessential pomp and gaiety. Nevertheless, the theme of one particular Durga Puja in Kolkata managed to capture the attention of people worldwide with its heartwarming message and decor. Abhirup Ghosh has beautifully captured the unique decor and a close-up shot of the much talked about idol of Goddess Durga as a migrant mother from Barisha Club, Behala and shared his experience of talking with the organisers and designers of the pandal and the artist of the idol. TOURISIOTY hails the creativity and humanitarian approach of this Puja Committee in addressing one of the burning problems of the current times. We are happy to share this exclusive coverage.
Latpanchari A desire to Get lost
Forming part of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, Latpanchar is a veritable paradise for bird watchers. Located at an altitude of 5000 ft above the sea level on the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, Latpanchar is a newfound hidden gem of Bengal. This travelogue by Alok Ganguly brings to our readers his experience and is accompanied by beautiful captures. The article also provides detailed information for those who would like to set foot in this place.
How to celebrate Durga pooja as Bengalis do
In this cover story, Abhirup Ghosh has beautifully captured the true spirit of Durga Puja in the state of Bengal both through his pen and the camera. He has perfectly elucidated the key elements of the annual festivities of the Bengali Community and elaborated on the individual rituals during these festival days. From idol-making to idol-immersion, there’s every detail in the article.
The cradle of civilisations- Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia, a region in southwest Asia, is often claimed to have hosted the beginning of the human civilisation on earth. The geography and climatic conditions here were conducive to development of the civilisation. Many important inventions were made during this time, including written language, maps, mathematics, the concept of time and things like the brick, plough, wheels, chariots and boats, pottery and textile mills. Accordingly the region is often called the ‘Cradle of Civilisations’ as a lot of what the human race on the earth has today was born here.
The beginning of the sub-continent INDUS VALLEY CIVILISATION
The ancient Indus Valley Civilization, also often called the Harappan Civilisation, grew up in the fertile flood plains of the Indus River spanning across Pakistan, Afghanistan and India. While Mesopotamian civilisation is generally believed to be the oldest one, new studies reveal that the Indus Valley civilisation pre-dates it, and that it is 7,500 – 8,000 years old to be precise.
Of architectural glory and much more Roman Civilisation
Ancient Rome grew from a small village on the bank of Italy’s Tiber River into an empire that at its peak comprised most of continental Europe, Britain, much of western Asia, northern Africa and the Mediterranean islands. Among the many legacies of Roman dominance are the widespread use of the Romance languages (Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Romanian) all derived from Latin, the modern Western alphabet, the calendar and the emergence of Christianity as a major world religion.
Lesser Known PYRAMIDS from the Mayan Civilisation
The Mayan civilisation was a Mesoamerican civilisation that grew up in the tropical lowlands of today’s Guatemala and ultimately reached the countries of Belize and parts of Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador. It spread across the timeline of 2000 BC to 900 AD, reaching the peak of its power in the sixth century AD when the Maya population is said to have reached a strength of 20,00,000.
BORDER-LESS IDENTITY
Social identity determines women's status in society. In the context of family, religion, economy, patriarchy, misogyny, gender discrimination, etc., determine Iranian women's status in society. To keep the concept of a woman's identity alive, a change in Iranian society is required.
Praise for the Pomegranate
The ancient fruit with modern influence
DEVASTATING FLOODS
AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH AHMAD KHATIRI
The Passion Of Trees
The snow no longer cloaks our mountains in white.
PARITA DAEMI
Everyday Life ...
IRAN: WHERE EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE, But Not So Easy
Do you fancy a beer? No problem, we’ll call our smuggler.Do you want to go on Facebook? No problem, just download a VPN app.Do you want to exchange currency? No problem, but don’t use an ATM, you will get a much better rate on the black market….
Why Iranians Continue to Seek Refuge in Australia
Shokoofeh Azar moved to Australia as a political refugee in 2010. Her novel The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree (see WLT, Spring 2020, 96), originally written in Farsi, was shortlisted for Australia’s 2018 Stella Prize for Fiction and the 2020 International Booker Prize. Here she recalls her refugee journey from Iran to Christmas Island and reveals why Iranians continue migrating to Australia, despite the absence of war.
The Origins of 'Paradise'
Reading and writing about Iran could not prepare me for what I saw there.
The iconic '80s aviation action classic returns to thrill a new generation
Can you believe it’s been 34 years since we first saw Tom Cruise catapult off a carrier deck and up into the danger zone as Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in Top Gun? That jet-propelled ode to air-to-air combat in the jet age is without question one of the most iconic films of the 1980s—so much so that in 2015 the Library of Congress deemed it to be “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” enough to be archived in the National Film Registry! It was also the highest-grossing film of 1986, which probably has more to do with why Paramount Pictures and producer Jerry Bruckheimer have been trying for a decade to get a sequel off the deck—and now they have.
BASS OF TOMORROW
Blurring the line between artist and luthier, Parizad Hatcher brings creativeness and know-how to her stunning basses. Hywel Davies investigates