SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This thesis aims at a critical examination of the information provided by several decades of archaeological research at Taxila in west Pakistan. The antiquity of Taxila and its fame as a centre of commerce and learning are widely attested by numerous literary sources. Chapter I assembles these sources and attempts to arrange them chronologically. Chapter II discusses the geographical position of Taxila and particularly its relationship to the important Trade-routes of Western Asia, Central Asia and Eastern India. The prespective thus provided is necessary for an appreciation of the various cultural contacts to be studied. Chapter III outlines the main topographical features of the valley and its monuments as they are known to day. It also briefly touches upon the history of exploration at the site. Finally there is a discussion of the vital problem of interpreting the various periods of construction and the stratigraphy revealed by Sir John Marshall's excavations. Chapter IV deals in outline with the early history of North Western Indea and its relationship with Taxila. The main body of the thesis is contained in Chapter V. Here is undertaken a careful comparative study of the main categories of antiquities revealed by excavations. In particular the whole topic of Western contacts and of importations from the Nediterranean is investigated. From this, certain very challenging facts emerge. In particular it is found that there are very few antiquities of either Hellenic or Hellenistic date, and that by fat the largest number are derived from Roman sources of the first and second centuries A.D. The principal classes of objects examined are: Pottery, Terracotta Figurines, Stone-objects, Metal objects, Gems and other minor antiquities. In Chapter VI is given a brief description of the Dharmarajika stupa and Monastery and Jandial Temple, with particular reference to dating them. From this, certain interesting new conclusions are reached, particularly regarding the dating of the Jandial Temple. Finally, in the light of the present study to modify, in several respects, the accepted dating for main structural phases of both the Bhir Mound and Sirkap. The thesis is illustrated with numerous photographs, maps and plan drawings.