Taxila city is 35 km, 20 minutes drive from Islamabad moving towards north-west where the civilization of Gandhara exists. While traveling on GT road, after crossing Margalla Hills, just turning left from Taxila bypass at Khanpur Lake road about 4 km there is Taxila Museum. It’s a site museum where the collections of gandhara art are placed, which is about of 600BC to 700BC. Two beautiful & well maintained gardens are also attached with the museum’s building, for visitors to relax and enjoy the natural environment and weather.
History
In 1918 the construction of this museum is started which completes on 1928, and opened for public. Northern gallery is constructed by government of Pakistan. Visitors from Pakistan and from all over the globe come to see the remains of old civilization, collections and displays.
4000 objects are displayed at museum, which are of the age 500BC to 600BC. About two dozen Buddhist stupas are displayed. These stupas are in same condition as they are discovered during the digging process; some of them are repaired to give the touch as they are in real. Three main religions are supposed to be past, that are Buddhist, Hindu and Jain religions.
Gandhara Art
Museum has collection of stone Buddhist sculpture. These are all discovered from Taxila during the archaeological work. Local people adopted Gandhara art as home industry and they made some of Buddhist stupas, and statues from stones, as Taxila is famous for its stone work.
Other Historical Places in Taxila
Many sites of the Gandhara and other old civilizations are there which are opened for public to visit. You can get information about these historical sites from the museum’s information desk or you can hire a guide if you can afford.
Map
Map of Taxila Museum – click on map image to see detailed map
