There are evidences of scattered settlements and religious practices in the region as far as 5500 BC. Farming-based settlements started around 4000 BC and by 3000 BC there were signs of cities. By the next four centuries many towns and cities grew up in the valley. From 2500 to 2000 BC the civilization was at its peak and population reached a maximum of five million people. The civilisation started to decline around 1800 BC.
The two most important cities of the Indus Valley region were Mohenjo-Daro, on the lower Indus and Harappa, further upstream. These have been excavated since 1922 when Mr R. D. Banerji, an officer of the Archaeological Survey of India, discovered the ruins of Mohenjo-Daro.
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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.
Fashion Industry - Changing Dynamics and Empowering Artisans
The history of Indian handlooms is as old as the history of the country and that is proven by many excavations in the prominent sites of Indian Valley Civilization such as Mohenjo Daro. From the ancient trade centers in India, people from the rest of the world used to visit Indian to buy excellently woven colorful fabrics by Indian artisans.
Steppe Brothers
Two recent studies have sparked an academic and political debate on origins of early Indians
Pooja Hegde- A Big Hrithik Roshan Fan
Pooja Hegde feels no less royal than the princess she plays in Mohenjo Daro. Raghuvendra Singh meets the star of tomorrow.
Most Awaited Movies Of 2016
It promises to be a bang-for-the-buck year at the movies. After looking through scores of release plans, these are the movies we are most excited about. Apart from the ones listed, we will also get to watch Vishal Bhardwajs Rangoon, a period romance set in World War II inspired by Casablanca, pitting Kangana Ranaut against Saif Ali Khan and Shahid Kapoor. Next year will also see the return of Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra with Mirzya, a love story with four newcomers, and Aditya Chopra shedding his angst-in-love baggage for a light-hearted romance in Befikre.
Will It Ever Be Happily Ever After For Katrina Kaif?
Katrina Kaif has put all her eggs in the Kapoor basket, and somehow paradise hasn't quite been found yet...