6 Prominent Historical Places in the World – Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of our series of Prominent Historical places in the World. History is the spokesperson of the life, traditions, customs, and religious beliefs of human beings belonging to the past. It is interesting to learn about their lifestyle and survival habitat. Quite astonishing is the bravery and valour that existed along with their strength and durability to brave the odds. With the absence of innovations and modern technologies, they struggled hard yet did not bend down to the difficulties. Instead, they racked their brains to defy the problems and emerged victorious. Yes, they failed but it is learning they preserved and used it to their benefit. Whenever I have visited the prominent historical places in the world, it reminded me of the artistic brilliance that existed years back. It is a matter of pride for the citizens of every country and responsibility to protect the historical heritage.

Ajanta and Ellora Caves, India

Today I want to start part 2 of the prominent historical places in the world with the Ajanta and Ellora Caves of India. Located near Aurangabad in the state of Maharashtra, it is an epitome of architectural marvel. Adorned with exclusive sculptures, images, frescoes and paintings of the gods and goddesses, it is an ideal place to visit and explore the religious mindset of ancient Indians. Prestigiously occupying a place among UNESCO's World Heritage Sites, the caves are a stunning conglomeration of the artistic beauty belonging to the Buddhist, Hindu and Jain religious sects.

Ajanta comprises of 29 caves mostly related to the Buddhist religious beliefs, paintings and sculptures. Ellora has 34 caves and is the largest rock cut temple in the world. It is believed that the caves were constructed 2000 years back and such are their robust built that they still exist intact without major decay.

Machu Pichu, Peru

Our next stop over is at Latin America. Its Machu Pichu, one of the significant and prominent historical places in the world. Located in Peru, it is a fortified town which was abandoned long back in the 16^th century. It remained unknown until its presence was announced to the world in 1911, the moment Hiram Bingham an established historian discovered it. The construction of the town is attributed to the Inca rulers serving as their royal estates.

Various studies and researches from the excavations and ruins have established the fact that the inhabitants of the town were mostly immigrants. They had their own cultivation and imported animals from other areas too. The town was built to fit into the terraced landscape of the mountains, with 200 buildings arranged along the slopes. The key attraction is Torreon, the Sun Temple. Inca rulers had also constructed Intihuatana, an astronomical clock within the city. In short, it is an amazing experience to stroll across the ruins and appreciate the planning and architecture of the Inca rulers.

Easter Island, Chile

Easter Island is one of the exotic, isolated and prominent historical places in the world. Located in Chile, it existed between 1400 AD and 1650 AD. Inhabited by the Rapa Nui people, the island is widely popular because of Moai, the statues of humans spread across a certain area. The statues were constructed to honour their ancestors and had a special significance in the lives of the Rapa Nui people. There are about 1000 of them created by the Polynesian inhabitants.

The island was left uninhabited when the resources started becoming extinct. People struggled to survive as the natural habitat exhausted unable to cope up with the growing population. But the sculptures of the statues are an example of their artistic skill in carving stones. Currently, about 887 of them have been discovered and preserved.

The Terracotta Army, China

The history of China is old and unique and so are its historical remains and monuments. A very popular among them is the Terracotta Army, one of the prestigious and prominent historical places in the world. Present at near Xián, it is the representation of the armies of the first Chinese emperor, Qin Shi Huang. After the death of the emperor, the entire terracotta regiment was buried along with him.

In the 3^rd century BCE, some farmers discovered the buried location. From then onwards, excavations and study proved that the army was present in 3 pits. An estimated total of 8000 soldiers of various ranks is present in the army. Along with them, chariots, and horses were also carved within the regiment. The entire area belonged to the mausoleum of the emperor, involving about 700,000 workers to create this amazing masterpiece.

Ayutthaya, Thailand

Ayutthaya was the capital city of the ancient Siamese kingdom, known in the modern era as the country of Thailand. The city was a phenomenal trade centre and flourished significantly between 1350 and 1767. The kingdom was rich in art, music and literature. There was a significant influence of Indian cultures on the Ayutthaya inhabitants. In fact, the name of the city has been derived from Ayodhya, the holy city in India where Lord Rama (the incarnation of Hindu mythological God Vishnu) was born.

You must not miss out visiting the attractive architectural sites in the city. The key ones being the Wat Chai Watthanaram, Wat Mahathat, Wat Phanan Choeng, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Lokaya Sutharam, Wat Phra Ram, Wat Phutthaisawan and Wat Thammikarat.

Göbekli Tepe, Turkey

At the last, I would like to focus your attention on an offbeat historical place located in Turkey. Göbekli Tepe is still being excavated, with studies and researches still on to unveil the structures discovered so far. It is a city in Turkey that consists of about 200 pillars present in 20 circular fashion. The pillars are fitted into the sockets of the rock bed that forms the foundation of the city. Historians and archaeologists are still trying to understand the significance and mystery behind constructing such pillars.

The entire area is a plateau with a flat top and connected with a mountain range. It is believed that the pillars and the other rock constructions belonged to the Neolithic period. Besides the pillars, sculptures of animals and birds have also been identified amid the ruins. Another interesting discovery is the town follow a specific pattern of geometry, a shape of an equilateral triangle.