Prehistoric Taxila of Takshaka Rulers
The Oldest ruler of Taxila, the Takshakas therir modern
descendants being Taka ribe, whose name originated from their worship of
Takila, i.e. serpents, have given rise to the name of the cty, Taxila,
correctly Taksha-sila, i.e. the hill capital of the Takshakas, the exact
Persian translation of which id Margalla, correctly Mar (serpent)-I-Qila
(fort).it is on the western side of the Margalla Hill that Taxila is located on
bank of a local river,called Tamra-nala, correctly Dharama-nala (Dharma meaning
“Buddhist moral law) –a name derived from a nearby Budd
Buddhist stupa, called
Dharmarajika stupa, the first of its kind erected by the Mauryan emperor Asoka
about the middle of the 3 rd century B.C.
HATHIAL AND SARAIKHOLA RUINS
The remains of the Takshakas of
Bronze Age (3 rd -2 nd millnnium B.C.)have been found at the bottom of the
Hathial Mound on the bank of Tamra-nala, at the edge of the Mathial spur about
half a mile to the north-east of Taxila Museum . Their painted pottery,
polished stone tools, beads and bone implements, also found at another local
site, called Saraikhola on the bank of the Kala rivulet, a few miles to the
south-west of the Museum,a little distance from the main National Highway ,
belong to a cultural period earlier then the mature Indus Civilization of
Mohen-jo-Daro fame. Saraikhola is named after a Mughal Caravan-serai not gar
from the site in the thick settlement of the modern town of Saraikhola . It is
near the Saraikhola site that the earliest Neolithic agricultural fields are
traceable. The hill fort (sila) of the Takshakas is now completely missing but
the name Taksha-sila (Taxila) survives even today in that of Margalla.
TAXILA OF THE ARYANS
The Aryans arrived in Taxila
around the middle of the second millennium B.C.and gave rise to the regional
name Gandhara (meaning the land of Fragrance ), continued to rule here until
the time of the Indian epic Mahabharata. Gandhara gave the queen Gandhari to
the Mahabharata pandava heroes. One of the local Takshaka ruler bit (i.e.
defeated) Parikshita, a grandson of Arjuna, a Mahabharata hero, but his son
janmejaya routed the Takshakas, and established his seat at Taxila on the top
of Hathial Mound. Here on this site for the first time Mahabharata was recited
by Vaisampayana to the king janmejaya. And thus the spot become famous and the
entire hill Range, called Hathial, become popular as it later was Hasti
(meaning elephant) and AI, i.e. Aiaya (meaning abode) – the Place of Elephants.
Others would like to derived it as Asthi and Aiaya, i.e. Place of Bones.
HATHIAL MOUND
On Hathial Mound the Aryan
settlements structures of Kanjur stone , laid in rough fashion, have been
excavated. This type of stone masonry is unique in Taxila. Along with the
structures have been found terracotta human and animal figurines, beads of
precious stones, burin, arrow-head, whet-stone, copper bars, needles, bone pins
with globule head, found in other Aryan graves as well. Human figurines have a
pointed bottom, joint legs, heavy buttocks and splayed arms, also found in the
oldest layers in the Bhir mound and also known from the Aryan graves in Swat
and Dir. Still more important are the varieties of red and gray pottery, which
include storage jars, stemmed and pedestal cups, bowls, goblets and tall vases.
TAXILA UNIVERSITY
(7 th Century B.C. to 8 th Century
A.D.)
Taxila university , which is the
oldest in the world, has been in existence even before the time of the Buddha
and before the occupation of the Taxila valley by the Achaemanid rulers in 6 th
- 5 th century B.C. Probably in the period of the (7 th century B.C.)
philosophers gathered here to have their own schools of thought and imparted
instructions. By the time of the Buddha it rose to be a strong educational
Centre, where instructions were given in military science, medicine, political
science, philosophy, religion, language and literature, and grammar. Among the
famous products are jotipala, later to become the commander-in-chief of the
Banaras King, Jivaa, later a physician of the Magadhan ruler Bimbisara
and physician of the Buddha himself, and the famous king Prasentajita of Kosala
around modern Ayodhya, and still later prince Chandragupta, founder of the
Mauryan Empire. Among the teachers we have Panini, the great grammarian of
6th century B.C. Kotelia, the famous writer of the Arthsastra, a book on
political science, and the great physician Charaka. One famous Centre of the
later period was Uttararama,where lived the Kasyapiyas, who probably gave rise
to the name Sirkap ( correctly Sri Kasyapas) site. The earliest date of the
university can be inferred from an Assyrian seal on steatite "With an
engraving of a worshipper in Assyrian costume in front of an Assyrian god"
and the latest can be gathered from the coin finds of Hermaes, Maues, Azes,
Rajuvala, Condophares,Kadphises, Huvishka, Spalapatideva, a Turki shahi ruler
of 8 th century A.D. it is probably the philosopher from this university whom
Alexander the Great met during his stay in Taxila.
University in Mahal Site
From Hathial site we can walk to
the east to a beautiful retreat, surrounded by the Hathial spurs on three
sides, each of which is topped by stupas and monastic establishment, one of
them could be Uttararama, while the enclosed lower plain are excavated remains
called Mahal site by Sir John Marshall. It is wrong called Magal site by Sir
John Marshall. It is wrongly called "Magal"(i.e. palace) because the
structural remains do not those of a palace. The incomplete excavation shows
part of five sets, each having a courtyard in the middle and rooms on the
sides. The presence of courts with surrounding corridor and room speak of more
than an ordinary residential house. Their internal means of communication
points to a madrassah style of architectural planning, and hence it appears to
be a university site, where the name Uttararama was recorded in a ladle
inscription.other finds include two-handled baking pan, an offering stand, an
amphora –all of pottery; a small bowl , a casket and a small lamp- all of
steatite ; eight five beads, forty-three coins; the copper objects include
significantly nineteen circular mirrors, a handled jug, a hoard if sixteen
vessels, fourteen standard beakers, seven open bowls and among others ten
ladles. They are all objects of ordinary use, as ban be seen in Taxila Museum ,
and probably they be-long to groups of men, such as students living together.
Taxila of the Achaemenids
(521- 326 B.C
Taxila become a part of the
Achaemenian Empire at least from the time of Darius I (
521 – 486 B.C. ), when the last local rulers, Pukkusati, was overthrown and
Taxila become a seat of the Achaemenian province of Gandhara . Gandhara solders
were recruited by the Achaemenians and they even fought on the side of Darius
III in the battle of Gaugamela (331 B.C.) against Alexander the great.
Gandharan men are depicted at the tomb of Artaxarxes III (died 338 B.C. ). It
is only after the Achaemenian defect that Taxila resumed its independence under
the local ruler Ambhi. It is the Achaemenian practice of engraving on rocks
that was later copied by the Mauryan emperor Asoka in hi Rock Edicts. In the
same way the Mauryan highway with inns was an extension of the Achaemenian road
link from Susa and Persepolis to Taxila. The Achaemenian columns having capital
with bull back to back and pillared halls were also copied by the Mauryans.
Similarly the Achaemenian employment of Aramaen clerks, who used Aramaen
writing, gave origin to the local writing, known as Kharoshthi . in the same
way the Achaemenian use of coins currency gave rise to the local currency,
known as bent bar coins and circular discs. Punch-marked coins, derived from
them, because common in the time of the Mauryan emperors. They also followed
the Achaemenian model of administrative. Taxila wasl inked in trade with the
west, and Taxila University received many new impulses.
Hathial To Bhir Achaemenian
Remains
As we walk back from the
university site to Hathial Mound, we cross the open un excavated agriculture
ground, and then see the newly excavated structural walls built in limestone
boulders of a type different from the older Aryan walls of kanjur stone. This
was the beginning of Achaemenian construction on Hathial Mound. From this top
as we look on the western bank of the Tamra-Nala, we notice a wide open ground,
on the side of which stands the present Taxila Museum and further shed is the
site of Bhir (derived from the Muslim word Pir , a saint ) Mound . Excavation
have been conducted here by Sir John Marshall, Sir Mortimer wheeler, and twice
by the Department of Archaeology, Government of Pakistan . The excavations of
Sir John Marshall present a better picture of the house plan, city streets and
lanes, drainage system, sanitary arrangement, water supply and shopping
centres, making a complex of residential houses, professional
quarters-cum-shops, administrative building and a market plaza. Only towards
the west one see a temple complex. Of the four structural periods of Marshall ,
only the lowest belong to the Achaemenian. How ever, the whole construction at
this time speaks of a haphazard extension of the city from Hathial to Bhir and
hence does not show a planned city. And yet the street alignment all west. The
alignment of the streets speaks of the vehicular traffic that must have
connected the Bhir site with the northern route.
TAXILA OF THE TIME OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT
Taxila, on the eastern side of
the Indus, lay as the main city of Pother plateau, in the heart of the rival
kingdoms, the greatest of the kings was Porus, whose kingdom spread out on the
fringe of the Salt king Abhisares in Hazara area, and the third was Astes, the
king of the eight Aryan tribes located at the western capital of Gandhara at
Pushkalvati (modern Charsadda ) and the last was the kingdom of Massagain the
Panchkora (the land of the Kuru-Panchala tribe ) valley north of the Malakand
Range. Only one king Taxila, where Alexander stayed for five days. Curtius
Refuse of the first century A.D. gives detail:
"" The sovereign of the
territories on the other side was Omphis (Amble ) who had urged his father to
surrender his kingdom to Alexander on Alexander,s ,s approach he went to meet
him at the head of an army equipped for the field. He had even brought his
elephants with him, which, posted at the short interval amidst the ranks of the
soldiery, appeared to distant spectator like towers. Alexander at first thought
was not friendly but a hostile army that approached, and already ordered the
soldiers to arm themselves, and the cavalry to divide to the wings, and was
ready for action. But the Indian prince, on seeing the mistake of the
Macedonians, put his horse to the gallop, leaving orders that no one else was
to their stir from the place. Alexander like wise galled forward, not knowing
whether it was an enemy or an enemy or a friend he had to encounter, but
trusting for safety perhaps to his valor, perhaps to the other’s good
faith.they met in a friendly spirit, as for as could be gather from the
expression of each one’s face but from the want of an interpreter to converse
was impossible. An interpreter was therefore approached, and the barbarian
prince explained that he had come with his army to meet Alexander that he might
at once place at his disposal all the forces of his empire, without waiting to
tender his allegiance through deputies. He surrendered, he said, his person and
his kingdom to a man who, as he knew, was fighting not more for fame than
fearing to incur the reproach of perfidy."
Aryan describes the memorable
scene at Taxila: "He (Alexander was received in a friendly manner by
Taxila, the governor of the city, and by Indians of that place; and he added to
their territory as much of adjacent country as they asked for, Thither also
came to him envoys from Abhisares, king of the mountaineer Indians, the embassy
including the brother of Abhisares as well as the other most notable men. Other
envoys also came from Doxares, the chief of the province, bringing gift with
them. Here again at Taxila Alexander offered the sacrifices which were
customary for him to offer, and celebrated a gymnastic and equestrian contest.
Having appointed Philip son of Machates, viceroy of the Indians of that
district, he left a garrison at Taxila. Curtius adds further information:
"when therefore, he (Taxila) had entertained Alexander for three days with
lavish hospitality, he showed him on the froth day that quantity of corn he had
supplied to Hephaestion's, s troops, and then presented him and all his friend
with golden crowns, and eight talents besides of coined silver. Alexander was
on exceedingly gratified with his profuse generosity that not only sent back to
Omphis (King of Taxila) the presents he had given, but added a thousand talents
from the spoils which is carried, along with many banqueting vessels of gold
and silver a vast quantity of Persian drapery, and the thirty charges from his
own stalls, caparisoned as when ridden by himself. Plutarch add: "The
philosophers gave him no less trouble than the mercenaries (on previous
occasions), because they reviled the prince who declared for him and account he
hanged many of them".
One such philosopher was
Kauthila, whose student was Chandragupta Maurya. Plutarch says: Androcottos
himself, who was then but a youth, saw Alexander himself .Justin adds: having offended
Alexander by his boldness of speech and having been ordered by that King to be
put to death, he saved himself by swiftness of foot."
Jandial, Sirkap and Bhir
Where did Alexander and his
troops stay in Taxila and where was he welcomed by Ambhi? Fortunately we have
one desecration of a temple by Apollonius of Tyana, born about the beginning of
the Christian era, who visited Taxila:
"just outside the walls was
a temple of near a hundred feet, of porphyry, and in it a shrine, small
considering the size of the temple and it many columns, but still very
beautiful. Round the shrines were hung picture on copper tables, representing
the feats of Alexander and Porus. The elephants, horses and soldiers, and
armours were portrayed in a mosaic of orichalcum, silver, gold and oxidized
copper, the spears javelins, and swords in iron ; but the several metals were
all worked into one another with so nice a gradation of tints, that all the
picture they formed, in corrections of drawing, vivacity of expression, and trustfulness
of perspective, remind one of the noble character of porus, for it was not till
after the death of Alexander that he placed them in the temple and this, though
they represented Alexander as conqueror, and himself as conquered and wounded,
and receiving from Alexander the Kingdom of Indian."
This temple was certainly built
than Alexander but the associations with him is so suggestive that the temple
spot had something to do with Alexander’s statu in Taxila. This temple is today
located at Jandial, half a mile north of Sirkap site, and consists of a Greek
plan with Ionic columns, having an inner shrine and an outer vestibule. On
three sides is a corridor, but in the stead of columns we have a wall pierced
with windows. From this spot to the oldest city on Hathial Mound lay the open
ground, where the later the Greeks built the city of Sirkap . On this open
ground Alexander’s troops appear to have camped and hence it become important
for the later Greeks.
Finally the contemporary city was
at Bhir Mound, where Alexander must have been welcomed by the Ambhi, no
important building was discovered by the Sir John Marshall here worthy of such
a reception. But Sir Mortimer wheeler discovered important jewellery in his
excavation here.the recent excavation has revealed the structural remains of
important building, one of them could be palace, where Alexander was possibly
entertained. This building was wide spacious room with unusually thick walls
that are distinguished from all other constructions in Bhir Mound time
discovered after the Indus Civilization, again pointing to the unique feature
of the site. It appears that this spot continued to receive importance until
its last days when the later Greeks built their on constructions.
TAXILA OF THE MAURYANS AND INTRODUCTION
OF BUILDING
Justin writes about the founder
of the Mauryan Empire…. And while he (Vhandragupta Maurya) was lying asleep,
after his exertion a lion of great size, having come to him, licked off with hi
stung the sweat that was running, and after gently waking him, left him. Being
first prompted by this prodigy to conceive hopes of royal dignity, he drew
together a band of robbers and instigated the Indians to overthrow the existing
Greek government. Sometime after, as he was going to war with the generals of
Alexander, a wild elephant of great bulk presented itself before him of its own
accord and as tamed down to gentleness, took him his back and become his guide
in the war conspicuous infields of battle. Sandrocottus, having thus acquired a
throne, was in possession of India when Seleucus was laying the foundation of
his future greatness.’’
There was further feather added
to the cap of Chandragupta when Seleucus Nikator, in 305-06 B.C. warred with
him and "entered into an alliance and marriage affinity with him."
Several Mauryan princes were associated with the city of Taxila . In the time
of the second Mauryan emperor Bindusara prince Susina was appointed viceroy and
then Asoka was sent twice to pacify the Taxilans. In the time of Asoka prince
Kunala was appointed viceroy. Then followed Dasaratha and his son Samprati and
finally came Salisukha identified with Sophagsenus, with whom Antiochue
III(223-187 B.C.) renewed his friendship and left him strong in Taxila.
Bhir and Dharmarajika Stupa
From Hathial Mound on the east of
Tamra-nala to Bhir excavations on the west of the nala there is long march. In
fact the Mauryan remains are buried at Dibbiyan Mound opposite Hathial and
continue through the Taxila Museum site to Bhir. It is in the Museum compound that
Marshall discovered his second hoard of Bhir while another hoard of jewellery
was discovered in 1945 excavation. This Nauryan material is preserved in Taxila
Museum . Apart from these discoveries Mauryan remains can be identified at
Kachcha Kot opposite Jandial where black polished pottery has been found. But
the most important discovery its an Aramaic Inscriptions(now in Taxila Museum),
engraved on an octagonal memorial pillar of white marble, later buried at
Sirkap, built into one of the walls of the priest’s quarters, belonging to the
shrine of the Double-headed Eagle stupa. The inscription names the King as
Priyadarsi, a title of Asoka, and speaks of his moral preaching about
non-injury to creatures.
In the new excavation at Bhir the
palace structures show square pillerse, probably a reconstruction of the
Mauryan time, copying the pillared hall of the Achaemenians.
We leave behind Bhir excavation
and follow the road east-word, cross the Tamra-nala, and reach the site of
Dharamarajika Stupa – the oldest Buddhist monument in Taxila. We can as well
follow the river to Hathial Range , or come vice-versa. On the Hathial Range we
have more stupas and monasteries around Uttararama(Northern Monastery).
The name Dhararajika stupa comes
from an inscription of the time of the Parthian ruler Azes. The main stupa was
probably built by Dhararaja, a title of the Mauryan emperor Asoka. The sit of
divided into two parts: the stupa area in the south and his monastic area in
the north. The main attraction on a raised terrace, approached by four flights
of steps. It was long known as Chir Tope because in the 19 th century it was
torn asunder(Chir) and the relics robbed by a French general of Ranjit Singh.
The foundation consists of a wheel of spokes (Dharam-Chakra). Around the stupa
is a paved ambulatory passage outside we have a number of votive stupa erected
later by the pilgrims. On the floor of the main stupa three hoards of coins
were found, as a ritual burial by the visiting pilgrims. The coins belong to
the Scythian, Parthian, Kushana and Indo-Sassanian rulers. The votive stupas
are of different kinds, from one of which a relic casket was recovered and
presented to Sri Lanka in 1924. In between can also be seen small chapels
containing Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of stucco. By the side of the river there
is a row of residential cells for monks. In the monastic area there is an
accumulation of several monasteries of different period, some of which have
stupas in the middle. The whole construction here continued to the end of the
seventh century A.D. when Buddhism declined and meet its doom for lack of
patronage.
At the stop of Hathial Range
there are remains of a Buddhist stupa and a monastery associated later with the
name of prince Kunala, son of Asoka. The remains lie on a small rocky eminence
well inside the city wall. A third monastery, located at a still higher
elevation, is remembered as Hathial monastery. More structures are located on
the still lower elevation with the Maha structures continued right upto the
foot of the Range. The fortification wall of the Sirkap City over this southern
ridge appears to be of later period. However, all these constructions can be
associated with Uttararam
Taxila of the Greeks, Seythians
and Parthians and the Beginning of Gandhara Art
The Mauryan rule in was finished
by those later Greeks who were settled in section by Alexander the Great and
who had declared independence in about 250 B.C. The earliest Greek coin found
in Bhir mound belongs to the ruler Demetrius I on of Euthydemus(225-190 B.C.).
His descendants, Agathocles, Pantaleon, and Menander built a new city of the
north of Hathial Range, known today as Sirkap(correctly Srikap of Sri Kasyapa
the old inhabitants of Uttararama monastery on Hathial Range). Another branch
of the Greeks, who advanced from Heart and Kandahar , are descended from
Eucratides I, whose coins have been found in Srikap. Eucratides was followed by
Plato, Heliocles, Apollodotus and Antialcidas(140-130 B.C.). The latter’s
ambassador Helioder calls himself as a "Greek from x Taxila."
However, it is Menander who consolidated Greek rule in Gandhara and who is well
known in Buddhist literature. His son Strato, along with the queen mother
Agathocleia, ruled in Taxila until his old age. The last Greek King was Hermaeus.
It is these Greek king who
introduced minted coins with royal portraits in Taxila. Greek sculptural art
came with them from Bactria, and they themselves copied the local Khasoshthi
writing and local gods and goddesses along with Greek ones on their coins.
After them we find here Greek gods and goddess's, toilet trays, columns with
Greek capitals, drinking and dancing scenes, love stories, cupid, musicians,
wavy garlands, terracotta and stucco figurines, pottery and seals of various
kinds, so well represented in Taxila Museum.
The Greek were followed by
Scythians and still later by Parthians, who continued to role in Sirkap city of
Taxila . Of the Scythians the most important ruler was Maues, from whose time
stone Sculptures are seen in Taxila Museum . Of the Parthians Condophares is
well known as he is associated with the Christian story of St.Thomas.
It is the Parthians city that is
described by Apollonius of Tyana:
"Taxila was about the size
of Nineveh , walled like a Greek city, and was the residence of a
sovereign……….. Just outside the walls was a temple………. In this temple they wait
until the the King can be apprised of their arrival……….they are taken to the
palace. They found the city divided by narrow streets, well-arranged and
reminding them of Athens . From the streets, the houses seemed of only one
story but they all had an underground floor. They saw the temple of the sun,
and in it statues of Alexander and porus, the one of the gold and the other of
bronze, its wall were of red marble, but glittering with gold, the image of the
god was of pearls, having, as is usual with barbarians in sacred things, a
symbolical meaning. The palace was distinguished by no extraordinary
magnificence, and was just like the house of any citizen of the better class. There
were on sentinels or bodyguards and but few servants about, and perhaps three
or four persons who were waiting to talk with the King. The same simplicity was
observable in the courts, halls, waiting and inner rooms; and it pleased
Apollonius more than all the pomp of Babylon . When admitted to the king’s
presence, Apollonius through the interpreter, addressed the king as a
philosopher, and complimented him on his moderation. The king, phraotes, in
answer, said that he was moderate because his wants were few, and that as he
was wealthy, he employed his wealthy in doing good to his friends and in
subsidizing the barbarians, his neighbors, to prevent them from themselves
ravaging, or allowing other barbarians to ravage his territories. Here, one of
his courtiers offered to crown him with a jeweled , but he refused it, as well
because all pomp was hateful to him because of Appolonius presence."
Bhir to Sirkap
In Bhir mound the earliest Greek
construction belongs to the time of Demetrius I. This can be recognized in the
long stone-built covered drain, discovered in the new excavations. From Bhir
the new city was shifted to Sirkap, whose limits are defined by Tamara-Nala on
the west and Geri rivulet on the east and north beyond Kachcna Kot but now
dried up. Sirkap is a planned city with a fortification wall, the foundation of
which was laid by the Greeks. The fortification wall descends from Hathial
Range and has its main gateway on the north. The northern wall also shows
square bastions at intervals. The interior presents an example of a pre-planned
city with a layout of a regular straight streets, and houses are arranged in
block system a derived from the west. However, the individual houses were
planned in the eastern style with a central open courtyard in the middle, the
exposed stone walls seen today belong to the Parthian period, when the city was
reconstructed after the earth-quake of 20-30 A.D. but following the old plan.
Hence today the city blocks present houses planned in the oriental style and
they are interspersed with Buddhist stupas and other shrines. The city is
dominated by the main street along, which are small rooms meant for shops. As
we enter the gateway, we see the refuse the walls just inside, and than the
passage bends and we have the inner guard rooms before we reach the main
street. After the poor houses of the first block A on the right side is a
residential complex, as also the next blocks B and B, on both the left and the
right side. The next block C’ on the right again has in the corner a stupa
within the quadrangle, with the double steps leading from the main street. The
next block D on the left is occupied wholly by an apsidal temple in a large
raised quadrangle, approached double steps by from the main stupa. The next
block E on the left shows the solid drum of a round stupa. On the right is a
sun-temple , by the side of which was found a statue of the god Sun, new in
Taxila Museum . In block F on the left we see the double headed Eagle stupa
within a courtyard, displaying a mixture of architectural features. This is
followed by a block G, which again has a stupa within a courtyard. Three more
blocks intervene before we come to the palace remains. There is still much more
to be excavated on the western side. Where the does not follow straight line
because of the Tamra-nala on the side.
Deep digging was done in a
limited area on the right where scanty structural remains of rubble wall were
found, it is here that pre-Greek level was noted, presenting punch-marked coins
and Earth-goddess of the oldest type, also found from Bhir Mound. From the
Greek level a sacred shrine has been identified, which has produced objects of
Greek or west Asiatic origin.
TAXILA OF THE KUSHANAS
Peak of Buddhist and Gandhara Art
In Taxila the Parthians were succeed,
in the 1 st century A.D. by the great Kushanas, who had succession of rulers
Kujula Kadphises, his son Vima I Takto, his son Vima II, Kadphises, his son
Kanishka, followed by Vasishka and his son Kanishka II, and Huvishka and
Vasudeve I. Of them the greatest was Kanishka I, who started, from the
beginning of his reign (about 78 A.D.), anew era which continued for 99 years.
These king began a new series of gold and copper coins, with standing or
sitting royal portrait, boring the title of Shao-nao-Shao (Shain Shah).
Kanishka was a great patron of Buddhism, and the portrayed the figure of the
Buddha on his coins. They were followed by the little Kushanas, Kanishka III
and Vasudeva II, who lost their Indian possessions of Mathura . Towards the end
of the 3 rd century A.D. they were pressed from the west by the Sassanian
rulers of Iran who established their suzerainty and started a new series of
Indo-Sassanian coins. It is an their time that new local dynasties, as
subsidiary rulers rose up. One of them was Gadakhara or Gakkhara, as known from
coins but tradition remembers them as Kiyanis. Their kings, peraya, Kirada and
Samudra, issued coins of the type of the Kushanas and of the Sassanians.
Finally came the Kider Kushanas, who gradually asserted their independence and
continued to rule until the coming of the Huns in the middle of the 5 th
century A.D.
It was in the time of the Great
Kushanas that Gandhara art took its final form and new sect of Buddhism,
popularly known as Mahayana, become common in Gandhara. Figures of Buddha, his
life story, Bodhisattvas and of the goddess Hariti were beautiful produced in
schist stone, stucco and terracotta and large number of monasteries were built.
From the of the little Kushanas big size of Buddha statues began to be erected
in stucco. Sassanians brought their own influence on Gandhara art but both the
art and religion flourished. Buddhist monks and men of learning went on
missionary activity along the Silk Road to central Asia, China, Korea, and
Japan, thus carrying the Gandhara art to those countries.
Kushana City of Sirsuk And Mohra Moradu and Jaulian Monasteries
The Kushana founded another city
at Sirsuk to the north of the Lundi-Nala fortified settlement, rectangular in
plan. The wall, which had a roll plinth at the base, has unlike Sirkap,
semi-circular bastions on the outside. Both the bastions and the wall have loop
holes at the height of five feet. Among the antiquities were forty coins of
copper, which included right upto the time of the Turki shahi ruler Spalapati
Deva, suggesting that the settlement continued here munch later than the time
of the Kushanas.
Mohra Moradu is a small village,
approachable by foot from the university at Mahal, or from the eastern
gate of Sirkap. Today we drive from the main Khanpur road. On this site there
was a Muslim Ziaratgah, sometime associated with the of Panch-Pir. The approach
from the village is through a gap, which leads to a bowl like valley, drained
by a rivulet. Here we have a stupa on the western side and the monastery on the
eastern, both erected in the second century A.D. in the of the Great Kushanas.
In the monastery coins of the Hun ruler Truman and of the Turki shahi Samanta
Deva have been found. The monastery has been described by Hiuen Tsang in the
early 7 th century A.D. the stupa stands on a double rectangular terrace with
an off-set projection for the steps on the east. The plinth walls were
decorated with stucco reliefs, which go right upto the top of the drum. In the
bays between the pilasters were groups of Buddha's with attendant Bodhisattvas
and Devas. The monastery consists of a square court with cells around and
additional halls for assembly and other rooms for kitchen, refectory and
guardroom. There are a number of niches added to the outer wall of the cell,
which enshrined Buddhist figures. In addition, one cell had a complete stupa
later installed inside, the like of which is now in Taxila Museum . Some stucco
sculptures have also been removed to Taxila Museum . The open court is at a
lower level with a place for the lustral bath.
Jaulian, probably derived from
Jail walian(place of Muslim religious heads) Buddhist establishment is
picturesquely perched on the top of Hathial Range further ahead a little way
off from the Khanpur Road . By its side a new road now passes. From its top can
have a marvelous view of Taxila valley. But the present roof around the main
stupa does not give a god of view of the decorated votive stupa around. In
actual planning the monastic establishment is an exact copy of the Buddhist
monument at Mohra Moradu, though later additions give different perspective. As
we climb up from the north, we enter the later court of niches through the
postern entrance and come directly in front of the main stupa, to the north of
which there is flight of steps. Just before this towards our right, in a small
room, there is a stucco seated Buddha, with its head changed several times in
the past. Around the main stupa a number of votive stupas can be seen, the
square bases of which show a marvelous decoration of stucco Buddha's and
Buddhisattvas. They are the best-preserved stucco art in Taxila. After seeing
the main stupa, we pass through the complex of empty niches and reach the
entrance of the monastery. On the left side of the entrance there is a cell, in
the Centre of which is a Buddha with twelve subsidiary figures on his right and
left. One of which is a central Asian style and dress. The original is now in
Taxila Museum . The monastery inside is an open court with a verandah around,
behind which are residential cells in two stories. The inches in the verandah
have more stucco sculptures. A postern entrance leads to subsidiary halls and
rooms meant for other purpose. In one corner of the courtyard there is a
lustral bathroom.
TAXILA OF THE KUSHANAS
Peak of Buddhist and Gandhara Art
In Taxila the Parthians were
succeed, in the 1 st century A.D. by the great Kushanas, who had succession of
rulers Kujula Kadphises, his son Vima I Takto, his son Vima II, Kadphises, his
son Kanishka, followed by Vasishka and his son Kanishka II, and Huvishka and
Vasudeve I. Of them the greatest was Kanishka I, who started, from the
beginning of his reign (about 78 A.D.), anew era which continued for 99 years.
These king began a new series of gold and copper coins, with standing or
sitting royal portrait, boring the title of Shao-nao-Shao (Shain Shah).
Kanishka was a great patron of Buddhism, and the portrayed the figure of the
Buddha on his coins. They were followed by the little Kushanas, Kanishka III
and Vasudeva II, who lost their Indian possessions of Mathura . Towards the end
of the 3 rd century A.D. they were pressed from the west by the Sassanian
rulers of Iran who established their suzerainty and started a new series of
Indo-Sassanian coins. It is an their time that new local dynasties, as
subsidiary rulers rose up. One of them was Gadakhara or Gakkhara, as known from
coins but tradition remembers them as Kiyanis. Their kings, peraya, Kirada and
Samudra, issued coins of the type of the Kushanas and of the Sassanians.
Finally came the Kider Kushanas, who gradually asserted their independence and
continued to rule until the coming of the Huns in the middle of the 5 th
century A.D.
It was in the time of the Great
Kushanas that Gandhara art took its final form and new sect of Buddhism,
popularly known as Mahayana, become common in Gandhara. Figures of Buddha, his
life story, Bodhisattvas and of the goddess Hariti were beautiful produced in
schist stone, stucco and terracotta and large number of monasteries were built.
From the of the little Kushanas big size of Buddha statues began to be erected
in stucco. Sassanians brought their own influence on Gandhara art but both the
art and religion flourished. Buddhist monks and men of learning went on
missionary activity along the Silk Road to central Asia, China, Korea, and
Japan, thus carrying the Gandhara art to those countries.
Kushana City of Sirsuk And Mohra Moradu and Jaulian Monasteries
The Kushana founded another city
at Sirsuk to the north of the Lundi-Nala fortified settlement, rectangular in
plan. The wall, which had a roll plinth at the base, has unlike Sirkap,
semi-circular bastions on the outside. Both the bastions and the wall have loop
holes at the height of five feet. Among the antiquities were forty coins of copper,
which included right upto the time of the Turki shahi ruler Spalapati Deva,
suggesting that the settlement continued here munch later than the time of the
Kushanas.
Mohra Moradu is a small village,
approachable by foot from the university at Mahal, or from the eastern
gate of Sirkap. Today we drive from the main Khanpur road. On this site there
was a Muslim Ziaratgah, sometime associated with the of Panch-Pir. The approach
from the village is through a gap, which leads to a bowl like valley, drained by
a rivulet. Here we have a stupa on the western side and the monastery on the
eastern, both erected in the second century A.D. in the of the Great Kushanas.
In the monastery coins of the Hun ruler Truman and of the Turki shahi Samanta
Deva have been found. The monastery has been described by Hiuen Tsang in the
early 7 th century A.D. the stupa stands on a double rectangular terrace with
an off-set projection for the steps on the east. The plinth walls were
decorated with stucco reliefs, which go right upto the top of the drum. In the
bays between the pilasters were groups of Buddha's with attendant Bodhisattvas
and Devas. The monastery consists of a square court with cells around and
additional halls for assembly and other rooms for kitchen, refectory and guardroom.
There are a number of niches added to the outer wall of the cell, which
enshrined Buddhist figures. In addition, one cell had a complete stupa later
installed inside, the like of which is now in Taxila Museum . Some stucco
sculptures have also been removed to Taxila Museum . The open court is at a
lower level with a place for the lustral bath.
Jaulian, probably derived from
Jail walian(place of Muslim religious heads) Buddhist establishment is
picturesquely perched on the top of Hathial Range further ahead a little way
off from the Khanpur Road . By its side a new road now passes. From its top can
have a marvelous view of Taxila valley. But the present roof around the main
stupa does not give a god of view of the decorated votive stupa around. In actual
planning the monastic establishment is an exact copy of the Buddhist monument
at Mohra Moradu, though later additions give different perspective. As we climb
up from the north, we enter the later court of niches through the postern
entrance and come directly in front of the main stupa, to the north of which
there is flight of steps. Just before this towards our right, in a small room,
there is a stucco seated Buddha, with its head changed several times in the
past. Around the main stupa a number of votive stupas can be seen, the square
bases of which show a marvelous decoration of stucco Buddha's and
Buddhisattvas. They are the best-preserved stucco art in Taxila. After seeing
the main stupa, we pass through the complex of empty niches and reach the entrance
of the monastery. On the left side of the entrance there is a cell, in the
Centre of which is a Buddha with twelve subsidiary figures on his right and
left. One of which is a central Asian style and dress. The original is now in
Taxila Museum . The monastery inside is an open court with a verandah around,
behind which are residential cells in two stories. The inches in the verandah
have more stucco sculptures. A postern entrance leads to subsidiary halls and
rooms meant for other purpose. In one corner of the courtyard there is a
lustral bathroom.
Taxila of Huns and Turki Shahis
After the kushanas Taxila no
longer remained seat of government of Gandhara. In this change of government
prosperity of the city was much affected. Patronage to Buddhism was lost. As a
result the monastery declined but did not finish off. Certainly the conquest of
the Huns did not spell doom on the Buddhist establishment, as is opined by Sir
john Marshall. The condition of Buddhism can be read in the accounts of the
Chinese pilgrims:
Fa Hien writes: there is a
country called Chu-ch-shi-lo, (which) in Chinese word is ‘cut-off-head’.
Buddha, when he was a come the name. Again going eastwards for two day, we come
to the place where he gives his body to feed the starving tiger. On these two
stops again are built great stupas, both adorned with every kind of previous
jewel. The kings, ministers, and the people of the neighboring countryside with
one another in their offering, scattering flowers and lighting lamps without
intermission, These and the two stupas before named the men of the district
call ‘the four great stupas’"
Hiuen Tsang writes: the kingdom
of Ta-ch-shi-lo (Taxila) is about 2000 lie in circuit, and the capital is about
10 lie in circuit. The royal family being extinct, the nobles contend for power
by force. Formerly this country was in subjection to Kapisa, but latterly it
has become tributary to Kia-shi-lo ( Kashmir ). The land is renowned for its
fertility, and produced rich harvests. It is very full of streams and fountains.
Flowers and fruits are abundant. The climate is agreeably temperate. The people
are lively and courageous, and they honout the three gems. Although there are
many Sangharamas, they have become ruinous and deserted, there are very few
priests: those that there very study the great vehicle.
It is only Sung-Yu, who visited
Gandhara in 520 A.D. talks of destruction in Gandhara: "This is the
country which the Yetihas (Huns) destroyed, and afterwards set up Lac-lih to be
king over the country, since which events two generations have passed. The
disposition of the king was cruel and vindictive. And he practiced the most
barbarous atrocities. He did not believe the of the Buddha, but the loved the
worship demons. The people of the country belonged entirely to Brahman casts;
they had a great respect for the law of the Buddha, and loved to read the
sacred books, when the suddenly this king came into power, who was strongly
opposed to anything of the sort. The name of the ruler is corrected as
Thunjina( or Tigin). However, in the reign of the second ruler Toraman a
donation was made to a Buddhist monastery in the Salt Range . The Huns
continued to rule with there Centre in Kashmir until their last king
Yudhisthira was overthrown by Chandragupta Muktapida of Kashmir in early 8 th
century Ad. Taxila become a part of the kingdom of the Kashmir but other
regions came under the rule of the Turki Shahis. When Huns Tsang came in the
early in the 7 th century A.D., the Hun ruler was Khinkhila or Khingala, who
had a great respect for him. Still later the Turki shah rule was replaced by a
Rajput clan, called Hindu Shahis, generally identified with jouan (modern
janjuas), who built a new system of fortification on hill tops. It is in their
time that Giri fort was built in Taxila.
Bhallar, Bhamala and Giri
Bhallar stupa is situated on a
route from Mechanical complex to Haripur, having a commanding position on the
top of the Sarada Hill, a little beyond the Haro River . This is the tallest
stupa in Taxila. This was visited by the Chinese pilgrims, pa Hien and Hiuen
Tsang, and they identify it with the spot where Buddha offered his head. This
was built in the "medieval period" i.e. post-Hun period. It consists
of a tall stupa, surrounded by votive stupas, other shrines and a monastery.
Here the Buddhist monk Kumaralabha composed his treatise. The main stupa, which
is broken on the northern face, stood on a lofty oblong base, approached by a
fight of steps on the east. It consists of a plinth base, a drum, a dome and
originally umbrellas. The drum is divided into six or seven tiers and divided
into six or seven tiers and is decorated with Corinthian pilasters, freezes and
dental cornices.
Bhamala is situated at the very
head of the Haro Valley, made beautiful by the bends of the river in the
background of surrounding hills having prehistoric caves. The monastic
establishment came into existence of coins of Indo assarians and Huns. The nain
stupa is unique if its kind, having a cruciform plan, consisting of a tall
square base for the dome, above which off-set projections for the steps can be
seen on all four sides. The Corinthian pilasters divide the plinth into bays.
In one of them was found Buddha in sleeping pose, now in Taxila Museum . The
monastery is of the Jaulian type. This is the most charming place for a visit
from Khanpur.
Giri: when we follow the route
from the Dharmarajika stupa south-south-east we first come to the monastic
establishment at Kalawan, the biggest of its kind in Taxila, which had a
longest span of life from the time of the Parthians to a late period.
Following the same route we pass
through a rocky defile between the old village of Khurram Piracha and Khurram
Gujar, enter a secluded valley and arrive in the glen of Giri, which lies on
the old route that went across Margalla . Here we have two groups of Buddhist
establishments, a fort, a Muslim Ziarat and mosques, all ranging from the early
Kushana period to the time of Akbar(1556-1605). The Buddhist constructions fall
into two groups- the eastern and the western. The eastern group, which stands
just above the spring, consists of a stupa in the north and monastery in the
south. The western group consists of a stupa of square shape in the north and a
monastery on the east.
To the north of the monasteries
lie mosques, Ziarats, and a rocky hill strengthened by a fort wall having
semi-circular bastions. Inside there are remains of dwellings and other
structures. The fortification belong to a time much later than that of the
Huns.
Taxila Muslims
Before the identification of
Taxila and the start of the excavation the place was known by the village of
shah Dheri, another village inside Mughal Caravan Serai, and some villages
associated with Muslim saints. Shah Dheri, which was situated on a hillock,
obviously drew its name from the Turki shahi rulers, who must have built a hill
fort here. The Mughal Caravan Serai has given rise to the modern village,
called Saraikala on the main National Highway . On the Bhir mound there was a Muslim
shrine, called Bhir(correctly Pir)-Ziarat. At Mohra Moradu there was another
Ziarat associated with the name of Panch Pir(Five Saints). Similarly at Julia
there must have been a Muslim shrine and hence the name. But the greatest
concentration of Muslim monuments was at the hill spot of Giri (itself meaning
a hill on route to the Muslim monuments on the other side of Margalla Hill,
viz. Allahditta Cave , Golra Sharif, Saidpur and Barri Imam, all built in the
Mughal or post-Mughal period on the spots earlier associated with the Buddhist
establishment.
At Giri was built a hill fort by
the Turki Shahis, which was used later by the Ghaznavid Sultans. It was
occupied by Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni and his two sons Masud and Muhammad. But at
this time Taxila was not the capital. Turki shahi capital was at Udhandapur
(modern Hund on the Indus ). But Giri fort lay on the main route from Udhandpur
to the Salt Range forts, e.g. one at Nandna in Jhelum district. After Mahmud’s
occupation of this region Giri become very important from strategic angle. Here
was decided the fate of his two sons, Amir Masud and Amir Muhammad and his two
sons and avenged his father’s murder in Giri fort. Maudud establishment here a
town and a Serai and named it Fathabad. People settled here and the place
become very popular. Masud dispatched the corpse of the father and brethren
from Giri to Ghazni. The Mughal historian further speaks of the construction of
so many colleges and mosques by Masud.
Muslims Remains:
The Mughal Caravan Serai is situated
in the village of Saraikala . There was also a tank that is now gone. Inside
there is an old mosque. Giri Fort is situated in the valley and the
fortification wall spread over the hilltop. This has many semi-circular based
placed at intervals. The fort also included the water spring. Just near the
spring towards west there is an old domed mosque, its fluted dome resting on
pendentive system of arches. Next to the mosque is a mausoleum. East of the
spring there is another old mosque of a smaller size. Further away from the
mosque there are remains of madrassah, the dome of which spread in the
mediaeval time. Some of the Ulamas bore the name of Margalli.
