Located 22 miles northwest of Rawalpindi, the ancient city of Taxila stands as a significant and grand cultural heritage of human history. In 326 BCE, Alexander the Great captured this city and stayed here for five days. During this time, Raja Ambhi accepted Alexander’s authority, after which Alexander fought with Raja Porus on the banks of the Jhelum River. In 190 BCE, the Greek ruler Demetrius from Bactria conquered the Gandhara region and made Taxila his capital. During the reign of Emperor Ashoka, the city was at the height of its splendor and was a major center for Buddhist teachings.
Historical Fame
In the 7th century CE, the famous Chinese traveler Xuanzang also visited Taxila and mentioned its grandeur in his travelogue. The city houses a Gothic-style museum with Gandharan art pieces from the 5th century BCE, 10,000 coins (including some from the Greek period), jewelry, pottery, and other artifacts. The ancient ruins in Taxila are also listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Different Names
The ancient city of Taxila is located between the Indus River and the Jhelum River. In Sanskrit, it was known as “Takshashila” and in the local language as “Takasila.” The Greeks and Romans referred to it as “Taxila.” Due to its location at the confluence of three major trade routes of the ancient world, it was a major trade center. The routes from South India, the West, and Central Asia met here, making it an important economic and cultural hub.
Ancient Jain Temple
Ancient European civilizations were aware of Taxila during Alexander the Great’s invasion of India. In the 6th century BCE, it was a province of Iran and, in the following centuries, came under the rule of at least seven different dynasties.
Markets Now in Ruins
The first excavation of the ancient civilization of Taxila was carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India during the British colonial period, starting in 1913 and continuing until 1934. After the creation of Pakistan, several renowned European and Pakistani archaeologists continued the excavations here. Where today only dry grass and stones are seen, bustling markets once existed.
Stupas and Monasteries
Excavations in the Taxila valley have uncovered over two dozen stupas and monasteries, including Dharmarajika, Julian, Mohra Muradu, Piran, Giri, Bhirmala, Jandial, Jinnah Wali Dheri, Badal Pur, Bhallard Top, Kanala, and Kalawan. These sites reflect Buddhist teachings and cultural heritage.
Ancient Taxila University
Among the ruins of ancient Taxila, there is a central and magnificent site that, according to Pakistan’s renowned archaeologist Professor Dani, is where the famous Taxila University once stood centuries ago. This university was known for its center of Buddhist and other scholarly knowledge.
Prince Kanala’s Stupa
A short distance from the ancient university of Taxila lies Prince Kanala’s stupa. Once near this stupa stood a grand building, but now only the rocky remains of the structure remain. Excavations here have revealed many ancient coins, clay, and metal vessels.
Delicate but Still Preserved
The stupa discovered in Room No. 9 of the Mohra Muradu assembly hall is made of lime mortar and remains in its original state despite centuries passing. The monastery also yielded lime mortar statues. Other artifacts from Mohra Muradu include food containers, household items, various tools, and copper vessels.
Taxila Museum
The Taxila Museum is one of the most beautiful museums in Pakistan. Located on Haripur Road, its design was prepared by the principal of the Mayo School of Arts in Lahore, Sullivan. The museum was established by the Viceroy of British India, Lord Chelmsford. It houses over 700 artifacts discovered from Taxila, but photography is not permitted inside the museum.
Sirkap
The historical ruins of Sirkap are located about two kilometers from the Taxila Museum. In the 2nd century BCE, the Greeks from Bactria attacked Taxila, ending the Maurya Empire and establishing a new city, Sirkap. This city was laid out in the style of a chessboard, and its ruins are unique due to its straight streets and market layout. The city was enclosed within a wall with four gates.
Mohra Muradu
Located about five kilometers east of the Taxila Museum is the Mohra Muradu monastery. This Buddhist worship site includes the remains of the central stupa and monastery, with living quarters for monks, their hall, kitchen, bathhouse, and storeroom. The remains indicate the importance of architectural discipline during that era.
Two Thousand-Year-Old Remains
Most of the Buddhist worship site remains found in the Taxila valley date from the 1st to the 5th centuries CE. The Dharmarajika Stupa dates back to the 3rd century CE and was included in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1980. Many of these historical sites remain remarkably well-preserved and clear.
Taxila’s historical and cultural significance is a valuable heritage not only for Pakistan but for the entire world, highlighting the depth and diversity of human history.
