Sights and landmarks in Taxila

Sights and landmarks in Taxila

1. See

   Bhir Mound

   is an archaeological site which was once a major city founded around the 6th century BC, the oldest ruins of a city at Taxila. The oldest part of ruins, from the 5th and 6th centuries BCE, are believed to be the remains of Persian/Achaemenid Taxila. Later ruins are from the 4th century BCE, after the invasion of Alexander the Great, and the 3rd, during the time of the Maurya kings of India. There are also some ruins from after the Mauryan period.

2. See

   Dharma rajika stupa and monastery

   The Buddhist stupa at Dharma rajika is also known as "Chir Tope", and is the largest stupa at Taxila. It is believed that this 15-meter-high circular structure was built during the 3rd century BCE by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka The Great. The area also has Gandhara-style monasteries and some smaller stupas. It is one of the well-preserved and important sites.

3. See

   Giri Mosque and tombs

   contains the remains of few tombs, a three-dome mosque and a madrasa (Islamic school) from the 10th-14th century CE. It was known to Persians as the Madrasa of Margalla.

4. See

   Giri complex of monuments

   Consists of Buddhist monasteries, a mosque, a tomb and a Middle Ages period fort.

5. See

   Jandial complex

   Contain the ruins of a Greek temple and is believed to have been location of a Zoroastrian (Parsi) tower.

6. See

   Jaulian stupa and monastery

   Fifth century CE ruins on a hill with a Buddhist stupa, a Buddhist monastery and what is believed to have been a university. The courtyard and foundation of ancient buildings are still well-preserved which make it an important site.

7. See

   Kalawan group of buildings

   Consists of some stupas and monastic cells as well as a few caves.

8. See

   Khanpur Cave

   is a Mesolithic period archaeological site which reveals that Taxila was inhabited in prehistoric times. The 10ft deep and 25ft wide Mesolithic period cave high up on the hill and has produced microlithic made tools as well Buddhist stupas and monasteries.

9. See

   Kunala stupa and monastery

   contains the remains of an extensive monastery and a stupa nearby.

10. See

    Lalchak and Badalpur Buddhist stupa

    contains the ruins of some mounds that reveals some monasteries, stupas and chapels.

11. See

    Mohra Moradu stupa and monastery

    Jinnan Wali Dheri?

    a well-preserved complex where there are the remains of two Buddhist stupas (one main and other one votive) and an ancient Buddhist monastery. The city is believed to be from the Kushan age as it was built in the 2nd century CE and later renovated in the 5th century. The double story monastery building is an impressive structure which consists of 27 rooms for students, a pool, kitchen and assembly hall.

12. See

    Nicholson's Obelisk

    نکلسن کی ابلیسک

    Captain John Nicholson, from Ireland, was one of the most colourful characters of the East India Company's army in Victoria's time, a decorated officer and an effective administrator, but also a bit of a madman. He hunted tigers armed with only a sword and personally went after one bandit chief, cut off his head, and kept it on his desk for months as a warning to others. At one point he learned of a plot to poison the British officers, hanged all the cooks, then calmly proceeded to dinner. During the Mutiny of 1857 Nicholson planned a bold attack on Delhi, and bullied the aged and conservative General in charge into approving it. He was shot while leading the attack and died a few days later, aged 35, but the British took Delhi and ended the mutiny. The British considered him a major hero, and some of the natives (much to his dismay) treated him as a rather odd sort of saint, creating a cult of "Nikal Seyn" which lasted well into the 20th century. His tomb is in Delhi and there are statues in both Delhi and Ireland, but this monument is on the frontier where he spent most of his career.

13. See

    Sarai Kala

    The mound of Sarai Kala has evidence of the earliest prehistoric settlement, in the Mesolithic period, and also later Bronze age and Iron age settlements. It preserves Neolithic remains going back to 3360 BC and Early Harappan (Indus Valley Civilisation) remains of 2900-2600 BC.

14. See

    Sirkap

    This was once a major thriving walled city. It was founded by the Greek king Demetrius I in the 2nd century BCE and was later rebuilt by king Menander I of the Indo-Greek kingdom. Sirkap houses a round stupa which is one of the oldest stupas in the Indian subcontinent, a large sanctuary building known as Apsidal Temple, a magnificent Double-Headed Eagle Stupa as well many houses.

15. See

    Sirsukh

    The fortified ruined city of Sirsukh was once a major city, and was among the last ancient cities of Taxila. The city was founded by the Kushan king Kanishka the Great after 80 CE.

16. See

    Taxila Museum

    ٹیکسلا میوزیم

    This century old museum is dedicated solely to the remains of the Gandhara civilisation. It has an extensive and impressive collection of Gandhara art such as stone Buddhist sculpture, and has thousands of objects on display. Most of the artifacts were excavated around Taxila and date from the period 600 BCE to 500 CE. The museum gives a good overview of Taxila and is certainly worth a visit.

    Entrance is Rs 200 rupees for foreigners, Rs 20 for locals

17. See

    Buddhist remains around Bhallar stupa

    location of where there was an impressive Buddhist stupa.

18. See

    Khader Mohra (Akhuri)

    Limited excavation shows marks of a monastery foundation.

19. See

    Lalchak mounds

    Consists the remains of a stupa, and monastery.

20. See

    Pippala stupa and monastery

    consists of the ruins of a stupa and a monastery.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Taxila (CC BY-SA 4.0).