Report on Taxila Valley Submitted To: Sir Sadeed Arif Submitted By: Izhar Ahmed
Oct 26, 2015
Report on Taxila Valley
Submitted To: Sir Sadeed Arif
Submitted By: Izhar Ahmed
Taxila Institute of Ancient Civilizations,
Quaid-i-Azam University,
Islamabad.
Serial No: Contents Page
1 Introduction 3
2 Taxila Valley 3
3 Taxila Museum 6
4 Archaeological sites in Taxila 7
5 Julian site 10
6 Conclusion 13
7 Photographs 14
8 References 20
Introduction:
Taxila is one of the ancient valleys of Pakistan, so it has many archaeological sites
of different ages and emperors ruled over it. Taxila is Tehsil of Rawalpindi in Punjab
province. Taxila is situated about 35 kilometers Northwest of Islamabad. Archaeologically
it includes numerous buildings, fortifications, settlements, monasteries and stupas, which
show its archaeological influence and represents Buddhist art. This great art and philosophy,
during ancient times made Taxila very famous. Taxila dates back to the ancient Indian
period that contains ruins of Gandhara. Taxila also contains important Vedic or Hindu and
Buddhist center of learning from 6th century BC to 5th century AD.
Taxila had its own unique status as it was situated in the middle of three main trade
routes. The Grand Trunk (GT) road connects the northern areas of the valley to the west of
Kingdom of Magadha in the valley of Ganges in east. The second main route, the
northwestern routes through Bactria and Pushkalavati (pishawar). Another main route
which connects Taxilla valley with Central Asia through Mansehra, Srinagar and Kashmir.
Taxila is located at bank of local river known as Tamra-Nala, which is correctly called as
Dharma-Nala.
Taxila Valley:
Takhshashila the Sanskrit name for Taxila, an ancient city from pre-historic era, is
situated in northwestern Pakistan. Basically Takshashila is mixture of two words, Taksha-
shila, Takhsa means rock, hill or stone and Shila means to cut or to split. Therefore
Takshashila means city of stone cutting. It was a flourishing city mentioned in the epic
books of Hinduism Mahabharata and Ramayana. As the name of takshashila is concerned,
different scholars shares their ideas. The myth says Buddha gave his head in charity to the
man at this place. In Chinese it is named as “Chu-cha-shilo”.
In pre-historic period the oldest ruler of Taxila, the takshakas, whose name was
originated from their worship of Takila, i.e. the hill capital of the Takshakas. The ruins of
Takshakas of Bronze age ( 3rd-2nd millennium BC) have been found at mound at the bank of
Tamra-nala (Dharma-nala).
The Aryans came to Taxila during the middle of 2nd millennium BC. On Hathial
mound there are excavated the Aryan settlement structures of Kanjur stone, laid roughly.
Such stone masonry is unique in Taxila valley. During excavation of this site along with the
structures, terracotta human and animal figurines, beads of precious stones have also been
found .
Taxila University (7th Century BC to 8th century AD)
Taxila University is one of the oldest universities of the world, which had its
existence even before the time of Buddha, and occupation of Taxila by Achaemenid rulers
during 6th-5th BC. Many philosophers, who gathered here, had their own school of thoughts.
During the time of Buddha, Taxila University became a strong educational center, and
students were taught military sciences, medicines, politics, philosophy, religion and
language.
Taxila was occupied and became a part of Achaeminid Empire during the time of
king Darius I i.e. 521 – 486 BC, when the last local ruler Pukkusati was defeated and
overthrown. Taxila became a main city of Achaemenian occupied province Gandhara. The
Achaemenians did a lot of useful works in the area. It was the Achaemenian practice to
engrave on rocks and stones, which was later copied by the Mauryan Emperor Asoka. The
Achaemenian introduced coin system in the area which gave rise to local currency system.
The Achaemenian employment of Aramaen clerks, who used this writing and gave origin to
local writing called Kharoshthi.
Alexander`s march to this region was actually a part of his campaign against the
Achaemenian ruler. Alexander the Great entered the city during 326 BC along with his
armies and he was greeted by local king. The Greeks called the city as “Greatest of all the
cities in the area”. Alexander made this city the part of his great Kingdom but his week
successors were not able to rule over it.
In 300 BC Taxila was under ruled by the Mauryan Empire Chandragupta Maurya
and Taxila was made the capital of his western province. Asoka the great, was one of the
successors of Mauryan dynasty converted in to Buddhism as Emperor and constructed large
number of monuments and monasteries throughout his Empire including the ones in Taxila.
Dharmarajika stupa is good example of his works where he enshrined the relics of Buddha.
Taxila’s position was an open place to conquest. The Mauryan dynasty was
disintegrated by Greeko-Bactrians, the successors of Alexander the great. They conquered
the area in 190 BC. Their king moved the city to new location known as Sirkap, which they
believed was more defensive city. This city was built with fortified large and defensive
walls of coursed rubble.
Bactrian kings kept hold on the area till 90 BC, when the “Scythians” or “Sakas”
attack the area and occupied the city. The Scythians ruled over the area for a half century,
after which the “Kushans” invaded Gandhara and established their dynasty. The Kushans
were originally from Gansu province of China. The Kushans period is described as the
Golden age of Taxila. The Kushans supported and gave a peak position to art and
Buddhism. The sculptures and statues of Buddha were made. During this era (1st century
AD) trade flourished with Roman Empire and advanced trade routes along the famous Silk
Road. Due to this reason urbanization in this area reached its peak position.
The Kushan came to downfall in 230 AD when the Sassanian Emperor made this
area as part of his Empire. The Sassanians ruled for very short period, and however power
was soon passed to an offshoot of disposed Kushan rulers. They established a strong
dynasty that ended till second half of 5th Century AD.
Taxila was brought to its downfall during 5th century AD. When the White Huns
invaded in the area, they destroyed monasteries and many other monuments and looted the
treasures of city.
Taxila museum:
Taxila museum is located in on the Grand Trunk (G.T) road to Peshawar. Most of
the sites at Taxila are located around the Taxila Museum. This museum in known as Site
Museum, as it is situated between many archaeological sites present in Taxila.
The construction of this Museum was started in 1918 laid by Lord Chelmsford,
viceroy of India. Its construction was completed in 1928 and was opened for public view by
Sir Habibullah. The walls are made of stoner bricks and the design of building is Ell shaped
which shows Greco-Roman style of architecture and style of galleries were set by Sir John
Marshal, the director General of Archaeology in British India.
The artifacts displayed in museum reflect cultural history and achievements of the
people of Taxila. More than seven thousand antiquities discovered different archaeological
sites are present in Taxila museum, displayed in three galleries. While entering, the main
hall, it contains stone sculptures showing life story of Buddha and other great monastic
events. There is a Stupa of Buddhist monastery of Mohra Moradu in the middle of museum.
Next to the Stupa in the middle of building is table of archaeological map of Taxila. Many
tables placed in same order showing other findings from the sites of Taxila.
The wall showcases in the northern part of museum are decorated with stucco
sculptures of Buddha and his life story. In the middle of main hall there is a door leading to
a small hall which is decorated by gold jewelry, silver and other coins of Gandhara art.
The southern part of museum consists of different objects discovered from the sites
which are related to household and miscellaneous. There are big water containers exhibited
in the southern middle hall of museum, these shows the great architecture of Gandhara art.
Archaeological Sites:
Bhir Mound
(The ruins of Bhir Mound, Taxila, Pakistan)
Dharmarajika
(The Dharmarajika stupa, Taxila.)
Mohra Muradu
( The main Stupa at Mohra Muradu monastery at Taxila).
Sirkap
(Double-Headed Eagle Stupa at Sirkap)
Sirsuk
(The wall of Sirsukh, Taxila.)
Jinan Wali Dheri
(A view of Jinnan Wali Dheri)
Jaulian Site:
(A view of the ruins of Jaulian, Taxila.)
About 7 kilometers to the north east of Taxila museum, historical ruins or site of
Jaulian is situated. This site dates back to 5th century AD. This site consists of two main
parts, the remains of monastery also called University of Jaulian and two stupas with caplets
cells around it. This site s situated on the top of mountain perching 300 feet above the
ground level. Jaulian actually means the place of sacred people.
Mr. Natesa Aiyar excavated this site in 1916-17 under the directions of Sir John
Marshall. This site was has been mentioned in world cultural heritage during 1918.
Monastery:
A Monastery denotes a building or complex of buildings that contains such rooms
which are reserved for prayers, as well as for domestic workplaces. In these rooms the
monks or religious people live and offer their rituals.
The monastery of Jaulian site contains number of rooms or cells which were made
for the monks or students, these rooms are totally 28 in number. There are sculptures of
Buddha in front of some rooms. In each room there was window that was made to allow air
and light in to the room. The monastery contains an assembly hall, store rooms, refectory,
and kitchen and bath rooms and a big water pool in the middle.
The monastery had two floors, but the second floor was destroyed by the White
Huns in 455 AD by burning the monastery.
Stupa:
Stupa is basically a Sanskrit word which was derived from Thupa, Some call it
Bheeta, Shetiya, Dhatu, Pagoda and Dagaba. Stupa is a funeral mound where they enshrined
relics of Buddha and his monks. Simply it is a burial mound of Buddha. Stupa is an oldest
Buddhist burial mound which was originally to cover the relics. Basically Stupa had five
parts. The Base , Dome, Yashti, Harmika, and Chatras. The ground part is called base which
is covering relic casket and is made of stones, philosophically this base shows the things
hidden underground. Above base the Dome shows the earth. Yashti is a large stick type
standing above the Dome, this standing structure of Yashti shows the link between earth
and sun. At the bottom of Yashti there is a square type which is called Harmika, the
Harmika is thought to be the house of great 32 Gods. The Chatras are round structures made
in numbers around the Yashti, these Chatras shows universal system in which stars and
other satellites are revolving around the sun.
In Jaulian, there were two types of stupas, the Great Stupa and the Mamurat stupa
(votive stupas). Stupa is decorated with carved colossal seated Buddha in meditation. Main
stupa is surrounded by 21 small stupas. These small stupas are the tombs of monks lived
there in Jaulian
Healing Buddha:
In Jaulian monastery there is a statue of Buddha with a hole in navel. It is
famous about Healing Buddha that this was used for fulfilling wishes. The pilgrims would
put their middle finger in the navel hole and pray for their wish or, for the treatment of any
patient
Conclusion:
Taxila, the city which has been declared a heritage site by UNESCO, holds many
important archeological sites. Excavations have lead to finding of figurines dating back to
3rd millennium BC. The city is full of artifacts which display the art of every dynasty that
ruled over it. These great rulers show that the city was of great importance as myths speak
of it. The city is full of Gandhara art. It has also remained a center of education and
philosophy. Buddhism is reflected in every building and art piece that the city contains. It
would not be wrong to call it a sacred city as it contains many monasteries and remains of
Buddhism.
Photographs:
(Fig1: view of interior northern part of museum)
(Fig2: Iron cart excavated from Sirkap site)
(Fig3: Jewelry embroidery displayed at Taxila museum)
(Fig4: Coins of Ancient times displayed at museum)
(Fig5: Stucco Sculpture with Gold water colored image of Budha in Dhyanamudra pose)
(Fig6: Daily utensils used for grinding, displayed in southern hall of museum)
(Fig7: Antiquities displayed in showcase)
(Fig8: Keys of Locks discovered from Sirkap)
(Fig9: View of monastery`s interior at Jaulian site)
(Fig10: View of water pool and rooms at Jauloian monastery)
(Fig11: image of Buddha in Dharmachakra pose at Jaulian Stupa)
(Fig12: Image of votive stupas around the main stupa at Jaulian site)
References:
1: A Guide to Historic Taxila, Ahmad Hassan, Dani.
2: Taxila: Story in Stone, A. Waheed, 1997. Pakistan.
3: Architecture in Pakistan, Rajput, A. B.,Pakistan Publications, 1963.
Karachi
4: http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/pakistan/taxila
5: http://www.bepakistan.com/a-visit-to-taxila