Brief History & Background:

Brief History & Background:

6th century B.C.

Birth of Buddha 563 B.C. Achaemenid or Persian Empire , under King Darius, and later Xerxes .[518 B.C] included Sindh and East Punjab. The language was Aramic and these inscriptions of mid ?third century B.C. were found in Sirkup near Taxila.

5th Century B.C.

Buddha dies in 483 B.C.

3rd Century B.C.

Alexander the great came to Punjab in 326 B.C. At this time Raja Ambi [ Orphis ] was king of Taxila and was at war with the Paurava king Porus whose kingdom was beyond the Jhelum river . Raja Ambi allied himself with Alexander and joined hands with Ora in Swat [ the Udaygram ruins ] and Puskalavati [ today Charsadda near Peshawar]

After Alexander?s death in 323 B.C. Gandhara came under the Mauryan Emperors of India .

2nd Century B.C.

By 262 B.C. the Mauryan ruler Ashoka the Great, after committing horrific carnage in war, converted to Buddhism. Buddhist Art appears in Taxila and remains up to 800 A.D.

Ashoka founded the Dharma Dharmarajika Stupa near Taxila and the Chinese pilgrim Huein Tsang mentions about 1000 monasteries in Gandhara alone.

Around 250B.C. Greeks under Menander appear in the Gandhara area.

100 B.C.

Central Asian People and tribes called the Scythians and the Parthians in 103 B.C. in Persia and Gandhara ruled the areas at Takht Bai [ near Mardan city today. Kushanas were the main dynasty and their king Kanishka printed coins with Buddha?s image.

AD 100

Vasudeva was the last Kanishka ruler. The Chinese pilgrim Huein Tsang mentions Purushpura (Peshawar) , and the Ashoka Stupa in Taxila . About 100 images of Buddha were found at Taxila / Gandhara area. In addition Pari- Nirvana stories of the Buddha?s after-death were engraved in stone in Taxila and the coffin, and disposal of his ashes are also recorded.

A.D. 300-500

The White Huns, a tribe from Central Asian invade and trample Taxila . Sung Yun a Chinese pilgrim mentions Taxila in AD 520 .

A.D. 700

Petty nobles fight for power. The area of Taxila and Gandhara is still Buddhist and priests still follow the " Greater Vehicle" of Buddha?s teachings

AD 1100 ? 1200

Ghazni kings invade this area. Conversion to Islam begins. Defacing of many sculptures. Invasions into Delhi, India. Babur, the first Mughal also enters the area with his armies

texla musium pics 4

In Dec 2006 i went for a Pakistan Tour from Karachi to Peshawar by road.
In that trip i visited many cities n places.
Took thousands of pics. so its not possible to post all pics covering many places just in one Topic. thats why i have divided that trip in different sections n will post each section independently to show u guys every possible detail of the visited places.
Each section contains many pics. i hope u guys will enjoy.

Now these r the pics of Taxila Museum.
(all pics r reduced in size & quality)


Taxila was one of the capitals of ancient kingdom of Gandhara ? the other being Purushapura (later renamed Peshawar). Gandhara was the region, which, in present-day Pakistan, includes Peshawar, Dir, Swat, Bajaur and Bunair.

The first known reference to the Gandhara region is found in the Rig Veda of 1200 BC. Later literature extols the splendour of Taxila ( Taksh-shila, as mentioned in the 6th century Buddhist texts) and its importance as a great centre of Buddhist learning.

The modern town of Taxila is 35 km from Islamabad. Most of the archaeological sites of Taxila (600 BC to 500 AD) are located around Taxila Museum. For over one thousand years, Taxila remained famous as a centre of learning Gandhara art of sculpture, architecture, education and Buddhism in the days of Buddhist glory. There are over 50 archaeological sites scattered in a radius of 30 kms around Taxila.

Some of the most important sites are; Dhamarajika Stupa and Monastery (300 BC - 200 AD), Bhir Mound (600-200 BC), Sirkap (200 BC - 600 AD), Jandial Temple (c.250 BC) and Jaulian Monastery (200 - 600 AD).

Sir John Marshal was the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India from 1902 to 1928. He was responsible for the excavation that lead to the discovery of Harappa and Mohenjodaro, two of the main cities that comprise the Indus Valley Civilization. He was educated at Cambridge. In 1902 he was appointed Director-General of Archaeology within the British Indian administration, and modernised the approach to archaeology on that continent, introducing a programme of cataloguing and conservation of ancient monuments and artefacts.

It was thanks to Marshal that native Indians were allowed for the first time to participate in excavations in their own country. In 1913, he began the excavations at Taxila, which lasted for twenty years. He laid the foundation stone for the Taxila museum in 1918. The museum hosts many artifacts and also hosts one of Marshal's very few portraits.

Taxila Museum is one of the best and most well-maintained museums of Pakistan. Timings of the museum are 8:30 am to 5:30 pm in summer, and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in winter. There is a resthouse near the museum, run by the Archaeological Department, a Tourist Information Centre and a PTDC motel as well.PTDC has a Tourist Information Centre and a Motel with 7 rooms and restaurant facility, just opposite the Museum. There is a Youth Hostel nearby, offering accommodation for members of International Youth Hostels Federation (IYHF).

The Taxila Museum is a grand old structure. It is built from the same stones as are still found in Taxila today and from which the locals make the mortar and pestle for the kitchens .The museum charges only 10 Rupees and one is not allowed to take pictures . Inside, there is a vast display of the elements of the daily items of Gandharan everyday life - pots pans, spoons, clay objects , pots , and of course terra cotta figures of Buddha and exquisite Buddha and Boddhisattva statues in stone and terra cotta .The coin collection of gold , silver and stone is truly a coin collectors? dream. The roof of the museum is made from teak. It is said that the palaces of the Persian kings once used wood grown in the area of Taxila. Shisham trees and cypresses surround the museum. The museum lawns are well tended and marigold flowers are in bloom
the other excavations around Taxila r Sirkup , Bhir mound, Sarai Khola, Hatial , Sirsukh, Dharma Rajika Stupa, Mohra Moradu and Jaulian.

Brief History & Background:

6th century B.C.

Birth of Buddha 563 B.C. Achaemenid or Persian Empire , under King Darius, and later Xerxes .[518 B.C] included Sindh and East Punjab. The language was Aramic and these inscriptions of mid ?third century B.C. were found in Sirkup near Taxila.

5th Century B.C.

Buddha dies in 483 B.C.

3rd Century B.C.

Alexander the great came to Punjab in 326 B.C. At this time Raja Ambi [ Orphis ] was king of Taxila and was at war with the Paurava king Porus whose kingdom was beyond the Jhelum river . Raja Ambi allied himself with Alexander and joined hands with Ora in Swat [ the Udaygram ruins ] and Puskalavati [ today Charsadda near Peshawar]

After Alexander?s death in 323 B.C. Gandhara came under the Mauryan Emperors of India .

2nd Century B.C.

By 262 B.C. the Mauryan ruler Ashoka the Great, after committing horrific carnage in war, converted to Buddhism. Buddhist Art appears in Taxila and remains up to 800 A.D.

Ashoka founded the Dharma Dharmarajika Stupa near Taxila and the Chinese pilgrim Huein Tsang mentions about 1000 monasteries in Gandhara alone.

Around 250B.C. Greeks under Menander appear in the Gandhara area.

100 B.C.

Central Asian People and tribes called the Scythians and the Parthians in 103 B.C. in Persia and Gandhara ruled the areas at Takht Bai [ near Mardan city today. Kushanas were the main dynasty and their king Kanishka printed coins with Buddha?s image.

AD 100

Vasudeva was the last Kanishka ruler. The Chinese pilgrim Huein Tsang mentions Purushpura (Peshawar) , and the Ashoka Stupa in Taxila . About 100 images of Buddha were found at Taxila / Gandhara area. In addition Pari- Nirvana stories of the Buddha?s after-death were engraved in stone in Taxila and the coffin, and disposal of his ashes are also recorded.

A.D. 300-500

The White Huns, a tribe from Central Asian invade and trample Taxila . Sung Yun a Chinese pilgrim mentions Taxila in AD 520 .

A.D. 700

Petty nobles fight for power. The area of Taxila and Gandhara is still Buddhist and priests still follow the " Greater Vehicle" of Buddha?s teachings

AD 1100 ? 1200

Ghazni kings invade this area. Conversion to Islam begins. Defacing of many sculptures. Invasions into Delhi, India. Babur, the first Mughal also enters the area with his armies

texla musium pics 3

Taxila Museum is one of the best and most well-maintained museums of Pakistan. Timings of the museum are 8:30 am to 5:30 pm in summer, and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in winter. There is a resthouse near the museum, run by the Archaeological Department, a Tourist Information Centre and a PTDC motel as well.PTDC has a Tourist Information Centre and a Motel with 7 rooms and restaurant facility, just opposite the Museum. There is a Youth Hostel nearby, offering accommodation for members of International Youth Hostels Federation (IYHF).

The Taxila Museum is a grand old structure. It is built from the same stones as are still found in Taxila today and from which the locals make the mortar and pestle for the kitchens .The museum charges only 10 Rupees and one is not allowed to take pictures . Inside, there is a vast display of the elements of the daily items of Gandharan everyday life - pots pans, spoons, clay objects , pots , and of course terra cotta figures of Buddha and exquisite Buddha and Boddhisattva statues in stone and terra cotta .The coin collection of gold , silver and stone is truly a coin collectors? dream. The roof of the museum is made from teak. It is said that the palaces of the Persian kings once used wood grown in the area of Taxila. Shisham trees and cypresses surround the museum. The museum lawns are well tended and marigold flowers are in bloom
the other excavations around Taxila r Sirkup , Bhir mound, Sarai Khola, Hatial , Sirsukh, Dharma Rajika Stupa, Mohra Moradu and Jaulian.

Brief History & Background:

6th century B.C.

Birth of Buddha 563 B.C. Achaemenid or Persian Empire , under King Darius, and later Xerxes .[518 B.C] included Sindh and East Punjab. The language was Aramic and these inscriptions of mid ?third century B.C. were found in Sirkup near Taxila.

5th Century B.C.

Buddha dies in 483 B.C.

3rd Century B.C.

Alexander the great came to Punjab in 326 B.C. At this time Raja Ambi [ Orphis ] was king of Taxila and was at war with the Paurava king Porus whose kingdom was beyond the Jhelum river . Raja Ambi allied himself with Alexander and joined hands with Ora in Swat [ the Udaygram ruins ] and Puskalavati [ today Charsadda near Peshawar]

After Alexander?s death in 323 B.C. Gandhara came under the Mauryan Emperors of India .

2nd Century B.C.

By 262 B.C. the Mauryan ruler Ashoka the Great, after committing horrific carnage in war, converted to Buddhism. Buddhist Art appears in Taxila and remains up to 800 A.D.

Ashoka founded the Dharma Dharmarajika Stupa near Taxila and the Chinese pilgrim Huein Tsang mentions about 1000 monasteries in Gandhara alone.

Around 250B.C. Greeks under Menander appear in the Gandhara area.

100 B.C.

Central Asian People and tribes called the Scythians and the Parthians in 103 B.C. in Persia and Gandhara ruled the areas at Takht Bai [ near Mardan city today. Kushanas were the main dynasty and their king Kanishka printed coins with Buddha?s image.

AD 100

Vasudeva was the last Kanishka ruler. The Chinese pilgrim Huein Tsang mentions Purushpura (Peshawar) , and the Ashoka Stupa in Taxila . About 100 images of Buddha were found at Taxila / Gandhara area. In addition Pari- Nirvana stories of the Buddha?s after-death were engraved in stone in Taxila and the coffin, and disposal of his ashes are also recorded.

A.D. 300-500

The White Huns, a tribe from Central Asian invade and trample Taxila . Sung Yun a Chinese pilgrim mentions Taxila in AD 520 .

A.D. 700

Petty nobles fight for power. The area of Taxila and Gandhara is still Buddhist and priests still follow the " Greater Vehicle" of Buddha?s teachings

AD 1100 ? 1200

Ghazni kings invade this area. Conversion to Islam begins. Defacing of many sculptures. Invasions into Delhi, India. Babur, the first Mughal also enters the area with his armies

pics musium with great exposure

Sir John Marshal was the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India from 1902 to 1928. He was responsible for the excavation that lead to the discovery of Harappa and Mohenjodaro, two of the main cities that comprise the Indus Valley Civilization. He was educated at Cambridge. In 1902 he was appointed Director-General of Archaeology within the British Indian administration, and modernised the approach to archaeology on that continent, introducing a programme of cataloguing and conservation of ancient monuments and artefacts.

It was thanks to Marshal that native Indians were allowed for the first time to participate in excavations in their own country. In 1913, he began the excavations at Taxila, which lasted for twenty years. He laid the foundation stone for the Taxila museum in 1918. The museum hosts many artifacts and also hosts one of Marshal's very few portraits.

Taxila Museum is one of the best and most well-maintained museums of Pakistan. Timings of the museum are 8:30 am to 5:30 pm in summer, and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in winter. There is a resthouse near the museum, run by the Archaeological Department, a Tourist Information Centre and a PTDC motel as well.PTDC has a Tourist Information Centre and a Motel with 7 rooms and restaurant facility, just opposite the Museum. There is a Youth Hostel nearby, offering accommodation for members of International Youth Hostels Federation (IYHF).

The Taxila Museum is a grand old structure. It is built from the same stones as are still found in Taxila today and from which the locals make the mortar and pestle for the kitchens .The museum charges only 10 Rupees and one is not allowed to take pictures . Inside, there is a vast display of the elements of the daily items of Gandharan everyday life - pots pans, spoons, clay objects , pots , and of course terra cotta figures of Buddha and exquisite Buddha and Boddhisattva statues in stone and terra cotta .The coin collection of gold , silver and stone is truly a coin collectors? dream. The roof of the museum is made from teak. It is said that the palaces of the Persian kings once used wood grown in the area of Taxila. Shisham trees and cypresses surround the museum. The museum lawns are well tended and marigold flowers are in bloom
the other excavations around Taxila r Sirkup , Bhir mound, Sarai Khola, Hatial , Sirsukh, Dharma Rajika Stupa, Mohra Moradu and Jaulian.

Brief History & Background:

6th century B.C.

Birth of Buddha 563 B.C. Achaemenid or Persian Empire , under King Darius, and later Xerxes .[518 B.C] included Sindh and East Punjab. The language was Aramic and these inscriptions of mid ?third century B.C. were found in Sirkup near Taxila.

5th Century B.C.

Buddha dies in 483 B.C.

3rd Century B.C.

Alexander the great came to Punjab in 326 B.C. At this time Raja Ambi [ Orphis ] was king of Taxila and was at war with the Paurava king Porus whose kingdom was beyond the Jhelum river . Raja Ambi allied himself with Alexander and joined hands with Ora in Swat [ the Udaygram ruins ] and Puskalavati [ today Charsadda near Peshawar]

After Alexander?s death in 323 B.C. Gandhara came under the Mauryan Emperors of India .

2nd Century B.C.

By 262 B.C. the Mauryan ruler Ashoka the Great, after committing horrific carnage in war, converted to Buddhism. Buddhist Art appears in Taxila and remains up to 800 A.D.

Ashoka founded the Dharma Dharmarajika Stupa near Taxila and the Chinese pilgrim Huein Tsang mentions about 1000 monasteries in Gandhara alone.

Around 250B.C. Greeks under Menander appear in the Gandhara area.

100 B.C.

Central Asian People and tribes called the Scythians and the Parthians in 103 B.C. in Persia and Gandhara ruled the areas at Takht Bai [ near Mardan city today. Kushanas were the main dynasty and their king Kanishka printed coins with Buddha?s image.

AD 100

Vasudeva was the last Kanishka ruler. The Chinese pilgrim Huein Tsang mentions Purushpura (Peshawar) , and the Ashoka Stupa in Taxila . About 100 images of Buddha were found at Taxila / Gandhara area. In addition Pari- Nirvana stories of the Buddha?s after-death were engraved in stone in Taxila and the coffin, and disposal of his ashes are also recorded.

A.D. 300-500

The White Huns, a tribe from Central Asian invade and trample Taxila . Sung Yun a Chinese pilgrim mentions Taxila in AD 520 .

A.D. 700

Petty nobles fight for power. The area of Taxila and Gandhara is still Buddhist and priests still follow the " Greater Vehicle" of Buddha?s teachings

AD 1100 ? 1200

Ghazni kings invade this area. Conversion to Islam begins. Defacing of many sculptures. Invasions into Delhi, India. Babur, the first Mughal also enters the area with his armies

texla musium pics

In Dec 2006 i went for a Pakistan Tour from Karachi to Peshawar by road.
In that trip i visited many cities n places.
Took thousands of pics. so its not possible to post all pics covering many places just in one Topic. thats why i have divided that trip in different sections n will post each section independently to show u guys every possible detail of the visited places.
Each section contains many pics. i hope u guys will enjoy.

Now these r the pics of Taxila Museum.
(all pics r reduced in size & quality)


Taxila was one of the capitals of ancient kingdom of Gandhara ? the other being Purushapura (later renamed Peshawar). Gandhara was the region, which, in present-day Pakistan, includes Peshawar, Dir, Swat, Bajaur and Bunair.

The first known reference to the Gandhara region is found in the Rig Veda of 1200 BC. Later literature extols the splendour of Taxila ( Taksh-shila, as mentioned in the 6th century Buddhist texts) and its importance as a great centre of Buddhist learning.

The modern town of Taxila is 35 km from Islamabad. Most of the archaeological sites of Taxila (600 BC to 500 AD) are located around Taxila Museum. For over one thousand years, Taxila remained famous as a centre of learning Gandhara art of sculpture, architecture, education and Buddhism in the days of Buddhist glory. There are over 50 archaeological sites scattered in a radius of 30 kms around Taxila.

Some of the most important sites are; Dhamarajika Stupa and Monastery (300 BC - 200 AD), Bhir Mound (600-200 BC), Sirkap (200 BC - 600 AD), Jandial Temple (c.250 BC) and Jaulian Monastery (200 - 600 AD).

Sir John Marshal was the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India from 1902 to 1928. He was responsible for the excavation that lead to the discovery of Harappa and Mohenjodaro, two of the main cities that comprise the Indus Valley Civilization. He was educated at Cambridge. In 1902 he was appointed Director-General of Archaeology within the British Indian administration, and modernised the approach to archaeology on that continent, introducing a programme of cataloguing and conservation of ancient monuments and artefacts.

It was thanks to Marshal that native Indians were allowed for the first time to participate in excavations in their own country. In 1913, he began the excavations at Taxila, which lasted for twenty years. He laid the foundation stone for the Taxila museum in 1918. The museum hosts many artifacts and also hosts one of Marshal's very few portraits.

Taxila Museum is one of the best and most well-maintained museums of Pakistan. Timings of the museum are 8:30 am to 5:30 pm in summer, and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in winter. There is a resthouse near the museum, run by the Archaeological Department, a Tourist Information Centre and a PTDC motel as well.PTDC has a Tourist Information Centre and a Motel with 7 rooms and restaurant facility, just opposite the Museum. There is a Youth Hostel nearby, offering accommodation for members of International Youth Hostels Federation (IYHF).

The Taxila Museum is a grand old structure. It is built from the same stones as are still found in Taxila today and from which the locals make the mortar and pestle for the kitchens .The museum charges only 10 Rupees and one is not allowed to take pictures . Inside, there is a vast display of the elements of the daily items of Gandharan everyday life - pots pans, spoons, clay objects , pots , and of course terra cotta figures of Buddha and exquisite Buddha and Boddhisattva statues in stone and terra cotta .The coin collection of gold , silver and stone is truly a coin collectors? dream. The roof of the museum is made from teak. It is said that the palaces of the Persian kings once used wood grown in the area of Taxila. Shisham trees and cypresses surround the museum. The museum lawns are well tended and marigold flowers are in bloom
the other excavations around Taxila r Sirkup , Bhir mound, Sarai Khola, Hatial , Sirsukh, Dharma Rajika Stupa, Mohra Moradu and Jaulian.

Brief History & Background:

6th century B.C.

Birth of Buddha 563 B.C. Achaemenid or Persian Empire , under King Darius, and later Xerxes .[518 B.C] included Sindh and East Punjab. The language was Aramic and these inscriptions of mid ?third century B.C. were found in Sirkup near Taxila.

5th Century B.C.

Buddha dies in 483 B.C.

3rd Century B.C.

Alexander the great came to Punjab in 326 B.C. At this time Raja Ambi [ Orphis ] was king of Taxila and was at war with the Paurava king Porus whose kingdom was beyond the Jhelum river . Raja Ambi allied himself with Alexander and joined hands with Ora in Swat [ the Udaygram ruins ] and Puskalavati [ today Charsadda near Peshawar]

After Alexander?s death in 323 B.C. Gandhara came under the Mauryan Emperors of India .

2nd Century B.C.

By 262 B.C. the Mauryan ruler Ashoka the Great, after committing horrific carnage in war, converted to Buddhism. Buddhist Art appears in Taxila and remains up to 800 A.D.

Ashoka founded the Dharma Dharmarajika Stupa near Taxila and the Chinese pilgrim Huein Tsang mentions about 1000 monasteries in Gandhara alone.

Around 250B.C. Greeks under Menander appear in the Gandhara area.

100 B.C.

Central Asian People and tribes called the Scythians and the Parthians in 103 B.C. in Persia and Gandhara ruled the areas at Takht Bai [ near Mardan city today. Kushanas were the main dynasty and their king Kanishka printed coins with Buddha?s image.

AD 100

Vasudeva was the last Kanishka ruler. The Chinese pilgrim Huein Tsang mentions Purushpura (Peshawar) , and the Ashoka Stupa in Taxila . About 100 images of Buddha were found at Taxila / Gandhara area. In addition Pari- Nirvana stories of the Buddha?s after-death were engraved in stone in Taxila and the coffin, and disposal of his ashes are also recorded.

A.D. 300-500

The White Huns, a tribe from Central Asian invade and trample Taxila . Sung Yun a Chinese pilgrim mentions Taxila in AD 520 .

A.D. 700

Petty nobles fight for power. The area of Taxila and Gandhara is still Buddhist and priests still follow the " Greater Vehicle" of Buddha?s teachings

AD 1100 ? 1200

Ghazni kings invade this area. Conversion to Islam begins. Defacing of many sculptures. Invasions into Delhi, India. Babur, the first Mughal also enters the area with his armies

Taxila Museum Trip

In Dec 2006 i went for a Pakistan Tour from Karachi to Peshawar by road.
In that trip i visited many cities n places.
Took thousands of pics. so its not possible to post all pics covering many places just in one Topic. thats why i have divided that trip in different sections n will post each section independently to show u guys every possible detail of the visited places.
Each section contains many pics. i hope u guys will enjoy.

Now these r the pics of Taxila Museum.
(all pics r reduced in size & quality)


Taxila was one of the capitals of ancient kingdom of Gandhara ? the other being Purushapura (later renamed Peshawar). Gandhara was the region, which, in present-day Pakistan, includes Peshawar, Dir, Swat, Bajaur and Bunair.

The first known reference to the Gandhara region is found in the Rig Veda of 1200 BC. Later literature extols the splendour of Taxila ( Taksh-shila, as mentioned in the 6th century Buddhist texts) and its importance as a great centre of Buddhist learning.

The modern town of Taxila is 35 km from Islamabad. Most of the archaeological sites of Taxila (600 BC to 500 AD) are located around Taxila Museum. For over one thousand years, Taxila remained famous as a centre of learning Gandhara art of sculpture, architecture, education and Buddhism in the days of Buddhist glory. There are over 50 archaeological sites scattered in a radius of 30 kms around Taxila.

Some of the most important sites are; Dhamarajika Stupa and Monastery (300 BC - 200 AD), Bhir Mound (600-200 BC), Sirkap (200 BC - 600 AD), Jandial Temple (c.250 BC) and Jaulian Monastery (200 - 600 AD).

Sir John Marshal was the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India from 1902 to 1928. He was responsible for the excavation that lead to the discovery of Harappa and Mohenjodaro, two of the main cities that comprise the Indus Valley Civilization. He was educated at Cambridge. In 1902 he was appointed Director-General of Archaeology within the British Indian administration, and modernised the approach to archaeology on that continent, introducing a programme of cataloguing and conservation of ancient monuments and artefacts.

It was thanks to Marshal that native Indians were allowed for the first time to participate in excavations in their own country. In 1913, he began the excavations at Taxila, which lasted for twenty years. He laid the foundation stone for the Taxila museum in 1918. The museum hosts many artifacts and also hosts one of Marshal's very few portraits.

Taxila Museum is one of the best and most well-maintained museums of Pakistan. Timings of the museum are 8:30 am to 5:30 pm in summer, and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in winter. There is a resthouse near the museum, run by the Archaeological Department, a Tourist Information Centre and a PTDC motel as well.PTDC has a Tourist Information Centre and a Motel with 7 rooms and restaurant facility, just opposite the Museum. There is a Youth Hostel nearby, offering accommodation for members of International Youth Hostels Federation (IYHF).

The Taxila Museum is a grand old structure. It is built from the same stones as are still found in Taxila today and from which the locals make the mortar and pestle for the kitchens .The museum charges only 10 Rupees and one is not allowed to take pictures . Inside, there is a vast display of the elements of the daily items of Gandharan everyday life - pots pans, spoons, clay objects , pots , and of course terra cotta figures of Buddha and exquisite Buddha and Boddhisattva statues in stone and terra cotta .The coin collection of gold , silver and stone is truly a coin collectors? dream. The roof of the museum is made from teak. It is said that the palaces of the Persian kings once used wood grown in the area of Taxila. Shisham trees and cypresses surround the museum. The museum lawns are well tended and marigold flowers are in bloom
the other excavations around Taxila r Sirkup , Bhir mound, Sarai Khola, Hatial , Sirsukh, Dharma Rajika Stupa, Mohra Moradu and Jaulian.

Brief History & Background:

6th century B.C.

Birth of Buddha 563 B.C. Achaemenid or Persian Empire , under King Darius, and later Xerxes .[518 B.C] included Sindh and East Punjab. The language was Aramic and these inscriptions of mid ?third century B.C. were found in Sirkup near Taxila.

5th Century B.C.

Buddha dies in 483 B.C.

3rd Century B.C.

Alexander the great came to Punjab in 326 B.C. At this time Raja Ambi [ Orphis ] was king of Taxila and was at war with the Paurava king Porus whose kingdom was beyond the Jhelum river . Raja Ambi allied himself with Alexander and joined hands with Ora in Swat [ the Udaygram ruins ] and Puskalavati [ today Charsadda near Peshawar]

After Alexander?s death in 323 B.C. Gandhara came under the Mauryan Emperors of India .

2nd Century B.C.

By 262 B.C. the Mauryan ruler Ashoka the Great, after committing horrific carnage in war, converted to Buddhism. Buddhist Art appears in Taxila and remains up to 800 A.D.

Ashoka founded the Dharma Dharmarajika Stupa near Taxila and the Chinese pilgrim Huein Tsang mentions about 1000 monasteries in Gandhara alone.

Around 250B.C. Greeks under Menander appear in the Gandhara area.

100 B.C.

Central Asian People and tribes called the Scythians and the Parthians in 103 B.C. in Persia and Gandhara ruled the areas at Takht Bai [ near Mardan city today. Kushanas were the main dynasty and their king Kanishka printed coins with Buddha?s image.

AD 100

Vasudeva was the last Kanishka ruler. The Chinese pilgrim Huein Tsang mentions Purushpura (Peshawar) , and the Ashoka Stupa in Taxila . About 100 images of Buddha were found at Taxila / Gandhara area. In addition Pari- Nirvana stories of the Buddha?s after-death were engraved in stone in Taxila and the coffin, and disposal of his ashes are also recorded.

A.D. 300-500

The White Huns, a tribe from Central Asian invade and trample Taxila . Sung Yun a Chinese pilgrim mentions Taxila in AD 520 .

A.D. 700

Petty nobles fight for power. The area of Taxila and Gandhara is still Buddhist and priests still follow the " Greater Vehicle" of Buddha?s teachings

AD 1100 ? 1200

Ghazni kings invade this area. Conversion to Islam begins. Defacing of many sculptures. Invasions into Delhi, India. Babur, the first Mughal also enters the area with his armies

history

Construction of Taxila museum started in 1918, its foundation stone laid by Lord Chemsford, vicery of India in 1918. Construction was concluded in 1928 and the museum was opened for public by Sir Habibullah then the ministry for Education. Sir John Marshall who was going to be retired from the post of Director General of Archaeological survey of India in 1928, could not complete its original plan. The government of Pakistan constructed the northern gallery in 1998. There are 4000 objects displayed, including stone, stucco, terracotta, silver, gold, iron and semiprecious stones. Mainly the display consists of objects from the period 600 B.C to 500 AD. Buddhist, hindu and Jain cults are well represented through these objects discovered from three ancient cities and more than two dozen buddhist stupas and monasteries and Greek temples. Taxila Museum is located 35 km from Islamabad on the Grand Trunk Road to Peshawar. It is famous for remains of Gandhara art. Most of the sites at Taxila, dating back 600 BCE to 500 CE, are located around the Taxila Museum.

All the sites at Taxila cannot be visited in a day. However, the museum, which is the first stop for any tourist, is an ideal place to visit and get an idea about the archaeological significance of the place. The museum houses one of the best collections of Gandhara art in Pakistan; a display of artefacts detailing the daily life of the inhabitants of ancient Taxila, and a useful model of the whole valley showing all the archaeological sites.

Taxila Museum is one of the best and most well-maintained museums of Pakistan. Timings of the museum are 8:30 am to 5:30 pm in summer, and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in winter. There is a resthouse near the museum, run by the Archaeological Department, a Tourist Information Centre and a PTDC motel as well

the pakistan

A southern Asian country Pakistan is surrounded by Iran, India, China, Afghanistan and Arabian Sea. According to an estimate of July 2007 the total population of Pakistan stands at 164,741,924. Urdu is the official language of Pakistan. Islamabad being the capital city of Pakistan, the entire country offers a range of touristy places. The map of Pakistan shows the physiography of the country. Also, the Pakistan map offers description of the flag of the country. The Pakistan International Airlines offers a smooth and hassle-free air travel facility to all the foreign tourists coming to visit the country. Agriculture and industry has a major role in encouraging the economic scenario of Pakistan. Shia and Sunni Muslims form majority of the local population of Pakistan.

texlia musium

Taxila Pakistan is situated 35kms away from the capital Islamabad. In the earlier times, Taxila in Pakistan was famous for its art and philosophy. It is now among the most visited tourist destination in Pakistan. Most of the archaeologists from all around the world come to this place for their research work. Pakistan Taxila is rich in the Gandhara sculpture and showcases the Buddhist heritage that attracts a lot of tourists all around the world and especially the people from the Central Asian countries. A visit to the town of Taxila in Pakistan can be very interesting for the tourists as it represents the traditions, art and culture of the country and also about the Buddhism culture. Experiencing such fusion is quite rare and Taxila is among those rare and unique places that can take pride in representing such beautiful scenes and make the tour to Taxila very enchanting.