Taxila
Takshashila · Ancient Taxila
Gandhara 6th c BCE–5th c CE (Achaemenid to late Kushan)·Gandharan / multi-empire (Persian, Greek, Buddhist)·🇵🇰 Punjab, Rawalpindi District, Pakistan
About
About Taxila
Palimpsest city spanning Gandhara civilization 6th c BCE–5th c CE with three successive cities (Bhir Mound, Sirkap, Sirsukh) and Buddhist monastery complex Dharmarajika. Achaemenid, Mauryan, Indo-Greek, Scythian, Parthian and Kushan layers, and reputed ancient university visited by Panini and Chanakya.
Why it mattersPalimpsest city spanning Gandhara civilization 6th c BCE–5th c CE with three successive cities (Bhir Mound, Sirkap, Sirs
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Location of fabled University – which mound?
- 02Greco-Buddhist art syncretism transmission to Mathura
Theories
- 01Sirkap grid shows Hippodamian Greek planning overlaying Indian
- 02Taxila as entrepot for Buddhist texts to Central Asia
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 6th c BCE Bhir; Sirkap 2nd c BCE Indo-Greek; Sirsukh 80 CE Kushan
- Period
- Gandhara 6th c BCE–5th c CE (Achaemenid to late Kushan)
- Culture
- Gandharan / multi-empire (Persian, Greek, Buddhist)
- Purpose
- Emporium and Buddhist learning center on Uttarapatha trade route
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
6th c BCE Bhir; Sirkap 2nd c BCE Indo-Greek; Sirsukh 80 CE Kushan
Initial construction
c. 1272 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
33.7450° N · 72.7870° E · 549 m · 3 mapped features
Sirkap city grid (Indo-Greek)
cityOrthogonal Hippodamian plan with walls
33.7450° N · 72.8210° EDharmarajika Stupa complex
stupa3rd c BCE Mauryan to Kushan monastery
33.7360° N · 72.8000° EJaulian Monastery (2nd c CE)
monasteryWell preserved Gandhara monastery with stucco Buddhas
33.7700° N · 72.8660° E
Gallery