History of Taxila

    

The World Heritage site of Taxila is located in Punjab Province, about 30 kilometers from Islamabad. 

Taxila is an archaeological site includes numerous related buildings, fortifications, settlements and monasteries, and shows architectural influences for the length of its role as a Buddhist training center, between the 5th century BC through the 2nd century AD.
At Taxila, you can see the great Buddha. His eyes will gaze upon you till you find yourself gripped by the feeling of awe.
Taxila – It was the capital of the Buddhist kingdom of Gandhara and a centre of learning.

Taxila lies some 35 km (22 miles) north-west of Rawalpindi, near Wah on the way to Peshawar, and is world famous for archeaological sites dating back to the 5th century BC. The Heavy Mechanical Complex and the associated the Heavy Forge Factory, and the Heavy Industries Taxila facility [the former Heavy Rebuild Factory], are located in Taxila.
Exploring Taxila is a multi-dimensional experience.

The richness and variety of the famed Gandhara sculpture is bound to attract your attention. There are many images of Buddha, in stone and stucco and numerous panels depicting all the important stages of the great Sage’s life. One may also find sculptures of the world’s most impressive men of peace. Each carved bit of sculpture shows extravagant beauty and mesmerizing artistery, from colossal to miniature there are literally thousands of such master peices in this collection. To find the difference between the Greek-Roman counterparts and the Gandhara masterpieces will be of great challenge to you.

Then there are the three distinct cities, which are nicely preserved. With your imagination sided by the carved people who inhabit these cities, you will have little difficulty in picturing crowds on the well-laid-out streets, families in spacious houses, priests in the towering stupas and royalty in great palaces.

To welcome you there, are stone men and women who will receive you with open arms in Taxila.
taxila_clip_image001_0000Taxila

* Ancient city, northwestern Pakistan.
* Taxila is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world.
* Taxila was the ancient capital of the western Punjab.

Anxient City, northwestern Pakistan

Taxila – Its ruins, including temples and a fortress, lie just northwest of Rawalpindi
Taxila, the “City of Stones,” was once a flourishing city along the trade routes of central Asia

At Taxila, You can see the great Buddha. His eyes will gaze upon you till you find yourself gripped by the feeling of awe. Other people whom you can meet at Taxila are, Alexander of Macedonia, Asoka the famous Buddhist king and Kanishka. You’ll find their imprints all over the place.

In 327 B.C. Alexander conquered Taxila, which was the Achaemenian Empire. Later it came under Mauryan dynasty and reached a great level of development under the rule of great Asoka.

The next step in Taxila’s history was the indo-Greek descendents of the Alexander warriors. The final period is called The Gandhara period. The great Kushan Dynasty was then established in 50 A.D, and within these 200 years Taxila became the most renowned center for philosophy, art and learning. Taxila is the greatest attraction for the pilgrims and tourists coming from China and Greece. The final period of Taxila i30-Jul-2007he most successful and the greatest Gandhara civilization of last several centuries.

The earliest city of these, is known as Bhir Mound. Which was established somewhere in the sixth century B.C, whose irregular streets, cramped houses and mediocre public buildings indicate its primitive origins. Then comes the Sirkap city which is on the opposite side of Tamara stream, and was built somewhere around the 2nd century B.C. You will find a marked difference between these cities as this city was well planned.

Famous archaeological sites in the world

Taxila – For sometime, it has been the center of Buddhism, the world famous Gandhara sculpture and the center of learning and culture.
taxila_clip_image001Taxila – ancient city of northwestern Pakistan, the ruins of which are about 22 miles (35 km) northwest of Rawalpindi.



As you stroll down its streets you can call at the houses of the affluent and go slumming, as it were, in the more crowded sections where dwelt the common man of the dim and misty past. Note the fortification of wall, the long, straight and impressive main street, the Royal palace, an Apsidal Temple and the shrine of the double headed eagle. Sirsukh the most modern city of them was built by Kushan kings in the first century A.D. It is’nt fully excavated as yet but is clearly, a well-fortified and well-laid-out city. This city is patterned after the Central Asian cities, and is complete with suburbs.

In addition to these cities, there are many monasteries and stupas which have been excavated all along the Taxila valley. Dharmarajika stupa, which is 2 miles from Taxila museum is a must see stupa. It comprises mainly of buildings, a monastery area where the monk lived and a series of small chapels. Wealth of gold, silver coins, gems, jewelry and other antiques were discovered at Dharmarajika.

Jaulian, another marvelous complex of chapels, stupas, quadrangles, and a monastery with assembly hall, store rooms, refectory, kitchen and bathrooms. At five small stupas you will see some beautiful stucco, the relives of Buddha and Bodhisattvas and supported by rows of stone elephants and lions.

Ancient capital of the western Punjab

Taxila – Sanskrit Takshashila ancient city of northwestern Pakistan, the ruins of which are about 22 miles (35 km) northwest of Rawalpindi
Taxila – It was the capital of the Buddhist kingdom of Gandhara and a centre of learning.

Two miles west of Jaulian is another well-preserved monastery at Mohra Moradu. In one of the monk’s cells here was found a stupa with almost all of the details intact. At Jandial, a mile-and-a-half from Sirsukh, is an imageless temple in the classic Greek style, with sandstone columns and cornices.

Attraction for climbers is Glen of Giri, which is about three-and-half miles from Dharmarajika stupa. Atop the highest peak of the range of hills are two stupas and a fortress built in a cleft near a spring of pure, sweet water. The stucco decorations of the stupas are well worth the climb.
A visit to Taxila is worth spending your money. The men 3000 years ago knew what they were doing when they chose Taxila to built there cities. To feel the enchanting aura and to understand their full importance you’ll have to pay a visit to Taxila. It will take you to an inspiring journey of ancient civilization.