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