In my previous post “Taxila Museum: Treasure Trove of the Gandhara Civilization”, I gave a brief introduction to the Gandhara Civilization and took you on a tour of the Taxila Museum. This remarkable civilization flourished for almost a thousand years, from the 6th century BC to the mid-5th century AD. Alexander’s invasion of the region in 326 BC brought strong Greek influences, particularly in art and architecture. During the reign of Ashoka (268–232 BC), Taxila gained renown as a great centre of Buddhist learning. Ashoka, the first great king to embrace Buddhism, played a pivotal role in spreading its teachings, and in the centuries that followed, the fame of Taxila spread far and wide.
The Gandhara Civilization extended from Rawalpindi through the Peshawar Valley and deep into eastern Afghanistan. Over time, it became part of many great empires, including the Achaemenid, Greek, Mauryan, and Kushan. Taxila itself rose to prominence as one of the most important cities, even serving as a capital for a period. During this golden age, at least three cities were built, along with dozens of stupas and monasteries in and around Taxila.
Tragically, the region was devastated by the White Huns in the mid-5th century AD. The destruction was so severe that the Gandhara Civilization never recovered. Centuries later, in the early 20th century, excavations uncovered many of its magnificent monuments. Today, these sites are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, celebrated for their universal importance.
I recently visited many of these archaeological sites and was astonished by the number of monuments scattered across such a vast area. Most of the sites are well preserved, offering visitors both a rewarding historical journey and an unforgettable experience.
Dharmarajika
Dharmarajika is the largest and most sacred of all the stupas in Taxila. It was constructed by the Kushans in the 2nd century AD and contained fragments of Buddha's bones. The whole complex of buildings is located on elevated ground and spread over an area of 9 acres. Anyone interested in exploring the monuments of Taxila cannot ignore this place. It is located at 33°44'40.3"N, 72°50'31.7"E, about 35 kilometers from the centre of Islamabad.
It is a huge stupa. Surrounding the main stupa is a passageway for pradakshina, the ancient practice of circumambulation around a holy site. This path is lined with many smaller stupas called votive stupas. These were constructed by people to show their devotion or when their prayers were answered and desires fulfilled. Some other stupas were built in the northern section of the site during different periods. In the same area, chambers were built to keep devotional imagery. Ruins of three monasteries have also been found in the north and northeast of the main stupa.
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