Taxila
Taxila
ٹيکسلا | |
---|---|
UTC+5:00 (PKT) | |
Postal code | 47080 |
Dialing code | 596 |
Criteria | iii, vi |
Designated | 1980 |
Reference no. | 139 |
Taxila or Takshashila (
Old Taxila was for a time the capital city of
By some accounts, the University of ancient Taxila is considered to be one of the earliest universities or education centre in South Asia.[5][6][7][8][9] Other scholars do not consider it to have been a university in the modern sense, in that the teachers living there may not have had official membership of particular colleges, and there did not seem to have existed purpose-built lecture halls and residential quarters in the city. In a 2010 report, the Global Heritage Fund identified Taxila as one of 12 worldwide sites that were "on the verge" of irreparable loss and damage, citing insufficient management, development pressure, looting, and armed conflict as primary threats.[10] However, significant preservation efforts have since been carried out by the Pakistani government, which has resulted in the site's recategorization as "well-preserved" by different international publications.[11] Because of the extensive preservation efforts and upkeep, Taxila is one of Punjab's popular tourist spots, attracting up to one million tourists every year.[11][12]
Etymology
In ancient times, Taxila was known as Takṣaśilā in Sanskrit (per IAST) and as Takkhasilā in Pali. The city's Sanskrit name translates to "City of Cut Stone" or "Rock of Taksha" in reference to a story in the Ramayana that states that the city was founded by Bharata, the younger brother of the Hindu deity Rama, and named in honour of Bharata's son, Taksha.[14]
The city's modern name, however, is derived from the ancient Greek rendering[14][15] noted in Ptolemy's Geography.[16] The Greek-language transcription of Taxila became universally favoured over time, and both the Sanskrit and Pali names fell out of use.
In traditional sources
In Vedic texts such as the
One of the earliest mentions of Taxila is in Pāṇini's Aṣṭādhyāyī,[19] a Sanskrit grammar treatise dated to the 5th to 4th centuries BCE.
Much of the
The Ramayana describes Takshashila as a magnificent city famed for its wealth which was founded by Bharata, the younger brother of Rama. Bharata, who also founded nearby Pushkalavati, installed his two sons, Taksha and Pushkala, as the rulers of the two cities.[22]
In the Buddhist Jatakas, Taxila is described as the capital of the kingdom of Gandhara and a great centre of learning with world-famous teachers.
In the
History
Early settlement
The region around Taxila was settled by the Neolithic era, with some ruins at Taxila dating to 1000 BCE.[26][27] Ruins dating from the Early Harappan period around 1300 BCE[26] have also been discovered in the Taxila area,[27] though the area was eventually abandoned after the collapse of the Indus Valley civilisation.
The earliest settled occupation in Taxila Valley was found at Sarai Khola, located 2 km to the south-west of Taxila Museum, where three radiocarbon dates from Period I suggest the site was first occupied between the late 4th and early 3rd millennium BCE, with deposits of polished stone celts, chert blades and a distinctive type of highly burnished pottery that shows clear signs of the use of woven baskets in the manufacturing process and the application of a slurry to the exterior surface.[28]
Periods IA and II at Sarai Khola seem to show continuity from Period I, with the appearance of red burnished wares. However, Kot Diji-style wares were found in greater numbers, and the Kot Diji-style forms show signs of having been wheel-thrown, marking a clear technological change from the Period I material. Seven radiocarbon dates were also taken from the earlier and later Period II/Kot Diji, and seem to show this phase dates from the mid-late 3rd to early 2nd millennium BCE.[28]
Gandhāra kingdom
Later, Taxila was inhabited at Bhir Mound, dated to some time around the period 800-525 BCE with these early layers bearing grooved red burnished ware.[33]
Achaemenid Empire
Archaeological excavations show that the city may have grown significantly during the rule of the Persian
Taxila was sometimes ruled as part of the Gandhara kingdom (whose capital was Pushkalavati), particularly after the Achaemenid period, but Taxila sometimes formed its own independent district or city-state.[36][37]
Hellenistic
During his invasion of the
On Alexander's death, in 323 BCE, the province and much of the once Achaemenid territories would pass to his general Seleucus I Nicator and founder of the successor Seleucid Empire.
Mauryan Empire
By 303 BCE, the Seleucid Empire's satraps in South Asia had been formally annexed by the expanding Mauryan empire, following the Seleucid–Mauryan war,[40] with the provincial capital and center of higher education at of Taxila now under the control of Chandragupta Maurya. His advisor, Kautilya/Chanakya, was said to have taught at Taxila's university.[41] Under the reign of Ashoka the Great, Chandragupta's grandson, the city was made a great seat of Buddhist learning, though the city was home to a minor rebellion during this time.[42]
Taxila was founded in a strategic location along the ancient
Indo-Greek, Indo-Scythian, and Indo-Parthian Kingdoms
In the 2nd century BCE, Taxila was annexed by the
The last Greek king of Taxila was overthrown by the Indo-Scythian chief Maues around 90 BCE.[45] Gondophares, founder of the Indo-Parthian Kingdom, conquered Taxila around 20 BCE, and made Taxila his capital.[46] According to early Christian legend, Thomas the Apostle visited Gondophares IV around 46 CE,[47] possibly at Taxila given that city was Gondophares' capital city.
Kushan Empire
Around the year 50 CE, the Greek
Gupta Empire
In the mid-fourth century CE, the Gupta Empire occupied the territories in Eastern Gandhara, establishing a Kumaratya's post at Taxila. The city became well known for its trade links, including silk, sandalwood, horses, cotton, silverware, pearls, and spices. It is during this time that the city heavily features in classical Indian literature – both as a centre of culture as well as a militarised border city.[50][51]
Taxila's university remained in existence during the travels of Chinese pilgrim Faxian, who visited Taxila around 400 CE.
Decline
The
The
Al-Usaifan's king during the reign of
Centre of learning
By some accounts, Taxila was considered to be one of the earliest (or the earliest)
Taxila became a noted centre of learning (including the religious teachings of
Notable students and teachers
Taxila had great influence on Hindu culture and the Sanskrit language. It is perhaps best known for its association with Chanakya, also known as
The institution is significant in Buddhist tradition since it is believed that the
No external authorities like kings or local leaders subjected the scholastic activities at Taxila to their control. Each teacher formed his own institution, enjoying complete autonomy in work, teaching as many students as he liked and teaching subjects he liked without conforming to any centralised syllabus. Study terminated when the teacher was satisfied with the student's level of achievement. In general, specialisation in a subject took around eight years, though this could be lengthened or shortened in accordance with the intellectual abilities and dedication of the student in question. In most cases the "schools" were located within the teachers' private houses, and at times students were advised to quit their studies if they were unable to fit into the social, intellectual and moral atmosphere there.[76]
Knowledge was considered too sacred to be bartered for money, and hence any stipulation that fees ought to be paid was vigorously condemned[
Examinations were treated as superfluous, and not considered part of the requirements to complete one's studies[citation needed]. The process of teaching was critical and thorough- unless one unit was mastered completely, the student was not allowed to proceed to the next[citation needed]. No convocations were held upon completion, and no written "degrees" were awarded, since it was believed that knowledge was its own reward. Using knowledge for earning a living or for any selfish end was considered sacrilegious.[76]
Students arriving at Taxila usually had completed their primary education at home (until the age of eight), and their secondary education in the Ashrams (between the ages of eight and twelve), and therefore came to Taxila chiefly to reach the ends of knowledge in specific disciplines.[79]
Ruins
The sites of a number of important cities noted in ancient Indian texts were identified by scholars early in the 19th century. The lost city of Taxila, however, was not identified until later, in 1863-64. Its identification was made difficult partly due to errors in the distances recorded by
Now as Hwen Thsang, on his return to China, was accompanied by laden elephants, his three days' journey from Takhshasila [
Manikyala tope, twenty eight monasteries, and nine temples.— Alexander Cunningham, [81]
Taxila's archaeological sites lie near
The vast archaeological site includes neolithic remains dating to 3360 BCE, and Early Harappan remains dating to 2900–2600 BCE at Sarai Kala.
The main ruins of Taxila include four major cities, each belonging to a distinct time period, at three different sites. The earliest settlement at Taxila is found in the Hathial section, which yielded pottery shards that date from as early as the late 2nd millennium BCE to the 6th century BCE. The Bhir Mound ruins at the site date from the 6th century BCE, and are adjacent to Hathial. The ruins of Sirkap date to the 2nd century BCE, and were built by the region's
World Heritage Site
Taxila was designated a
- Khanpur Cave
- Saraikala, prehistoric mound
- Bhir Mound
- Sirkap (fortified city)
- Sirsukh (fortified ruined city)
- Dharmarajika stupa and monastery
- Khader Mohra (Akhuri)
- Kalawan group of buildings
- Giri complex of monuments
- Kunala stupa and monastery
- Jandial complex
- Lalchak and Badalpur Buddhist stuppa
- Mohra Moradu stupa and monastery
- Pippala stupa and monastery
- Jaulian stupa and monastery
- Lalchak mounds
- Buddhist remains around Bhallar stupa
- Giri Mosque and tombs
In a 2010 report,
Geography
Taxila is located 32 km (20 mi) north-west of the Pakistani capital Islamabad. The city is located approximately 549 metres (1,801 ft) above sea level.
Climate
Taxila features a
Climate data for Taxila | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 17 (63) |
19.5 (67.1) |
24.2 (75.6) |
29.9 (85.8) |
35.4 (95.7) |
39.5 (103.1) |
35.8 (96.4) |
33.7 (92.7) |
33.6 (92.5) |
30.9 (87.6) |
25 (77) |
19.3 (66.7) |
28.7 (83.6) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 9.8 (49.6) |
12.5 (54.5) |
17.3 (63.1) |
22.6 (72.7) |
27.6 (81.7) |
32 (90) |
30.3 (86.5) |
28.6 (83.5) |
27.6 (81.7) |
22.7 (72.9) |
16.2 (61.2) |
11.3 (52.3) |
21.5 (70.8) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 2.7 (36.9) |
5.5 (41.9) |
10.4 (50.7) |
15.3 (59.5) |
19.9 (67.8) |
24.5 (76.1) |
24.8 (76.6) |
23.6 (74.5) |
21.6 (70.9) |
14.5 (58.1) |
7.5 (45.5) |
3.3 (37.9) |
14.5 (58.0) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 58 (2.3) |
56 (2.2) |
68 (2.7) |
44 (1.7) |
38 (1.5) |
37 (1.5) |
237 (9.3) |
236 (9.3) |
92 (3.6) |
23 (0.9) |
16 (0.6) |
36 (1.4) |
941 (37) |
Source: Climate-Data.org, altitude: 497m[86] |
Economy
Tourism
Taxila is one of northern Pakistan's most important tourist destinations and is home to the
In 2017, the Pakistani government announced its intention to develop Taxila into a site for Buddhist religious pilgrimage.
In addition to the ruins of ancient Taxila, relics of
Industry
Taxila is home to
Transportation
Rail
Taxila is served by the
Road
The ancient Grand Trunk Road is designated as N-5 National Highway, and connects the city to the Afghan border, and northern Punjab. The Karakoram Highway's southern terminus is in nearby Hasan Abdal, and connects Taxila to the Chinese border near the Hunza Valley.
The city is linked to
Air
The nearest airport to Taxila is Islamabad International Airport located 36.5 kilometers away. Peshawar's Bacha Khan International Airport is 155 kilometers away.
Education
Taxila is home to many secondary educational institutes including
Ancient ruins
The
Culture
Modern Taxila is a mix of relatively wealthy urban, and poorer rural environs. Urban residential areas are general in the form of planned housing colonies populated by workers of the heavy mechanical complex & heavy industries, educational institutes and hospitals that are located in the area.
Museums
Taxila Museum has one of the most significant and comprehensive collections of stone Buddhist sculpture from the first to the seventh centuries in Pakistan (known as Gandharan art. The core of the collection comes from excavated sites in the Taxila Valley, particularly the excavations of Sir John Marshall. Other objects come from excavated sites elsewhere in Gandhara, from donations such as the Ram Das Collection, or from material confiscated by the police and customs authorities.
-
A coin from 2nd century BCE Taxila.
-
TheIndo-Greek king Antialcidas ruled in Taxila around 100 BCE, according to the Heliodorus pillarinscription.
-
Jaulian, a World Heritage Site at Taxila.
-
Jaulian silver Buddhist reliquary, with content. British Museum.
-
Stupa base at Sirkap, decorated with Hindu, Buddhist and Greek temple fronts.
-
Stupa in Taxila.
-
A Taxila coin, 200–100 BCE. British Museum.
Gallery
-
A coin from 2nd century BCE Taxila.
-
TheIndo-Greek king Antialcidas ruled in Taxila around 100 BCE, according to the Heliodorus pillarinscription.
-
Jaulian, a World Heritage Site at Taxila.
-
Jaulian silver Buddhist reliquary, with contents. British Museum.
-
Reliquary in the form of a crystal goose dating to the 1st Century AD in the British Museum.
-
Jain Temple at Sirkap
-
Stupa base at Sirkap, decorated with Hindu, Buddhist and Greek temple fronts.
-
A Taxila coin, 200–100 BCE. British Museum.
-
Archaeological artifacts from theIndo-Greek strata at Taxila from John Marshall"Taxila Archeological excavations").
-
Stupa in Taxila.
See also
- Taxila (satrapy)
- Harappa
Notes
- ^ "Administrative Units" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 February 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- Heliodorus Pillarinscription, circa 100 BCE.
- ISBN 052128550X
- ^ UNESCO World Heritage Site, 1980. Taxila: Multiple Locations. Retrieved 13 January 2007.
- ISBN 978-0-415-36166-8.
- ^ Kulke & Rothermund 2004:
"In the early centuries the centre of Buddhist scholarship was the University of Taxila."
- ^ Balakrishnan Muniapan, Junaid M. Shaikh (2007), "Lessons in corporate governance from Kautilya's Arthashastra in ancient India", World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development 3 (1):
"Kautilya was also a Professor of Politics and Economics at Taxila University. Taxila University is one of the oldest known universities in the world and it was the chief learning centre in ancient India."
- suzeraintyover the wide world of letters in India."
- ^ Mookerji 1989, p. 479:
"This shows that Taxila was a seat not of elementary, but higher, education, of colleges or a university as distinguished from schools."
- ^ a b "Global Heritage in the Peril: Sites on the Verge". Global Heritage Fund. Archived from the original on 20 August 2012.
- ^ a b Raheela Nazir (12 May 2018). "Feature: Pakistan in efforts to rejuvenate Taxila, one of most important archaeological sites in Asia". XINHUANET.com. Archived from the original on 11 May 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
- ^ "Taxila: an illustration of fascinating influences of multiple civilisations". Daily Times. 13 May 2018.
- ^ Rapson, E. J. (1914). Ancient India. p. 157.
- ^ a b c d e f "Taxila, ancient city, Pakistan". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- ISBN 9780674915251.
- ^ J. W. McCrindle, The Invasion of India by Alexander the Great as Described by Arrian, Q. Curtius, Diodorus, Plutarch and Justin, Westminster, Constable, 1893, pp.343–344.
- ^ Saifur Rahman Dar. "Antiquity, Meaning and Origin of the Name Takshashila or Taxila". The Panjab Past and Present. 11 (2): 11.
- ^ Raychaudhuri, Hem Chandra (1923), Political history of ancient India, from the accession of Parikshit to the extinction of the Gupta dynasty, Calcutta, Univ. of Calcutta, pp. 17–18, 25–26
- ^ Scharfe 2002a, pp. 140–141.
- ^ Davis 2014, p. 38.
- ^ Kosambi 1975, p. 126.
- ^ a b c Marshall 2013, p. 10.
- ^ Scharfe 2002b, p. 142.
- ^ Malalasekera 1937, Telapatta Jātaka (No.96):
"The Bodhisatta was once the youngest of one hundred sons of the king of Benares. He heard from the Pacceka Buddhas, who took their meals in the palace, that he would become king of Takkasilā if he could reach it without falling a prey to the ogresses who waylaid travellers in the forest. Thereupon, he set out with five of his brothers who wished to accompany him. On the way through the forest the five in succession succumbed to the charms of the ogresses, and were devoured. One ogress followed the Bodhisatta right up to the gates of Takkasilā, where the king took her into the palace, paying no heed to the Bodhisatta's warning. The king succumbed to her wiles, and, during the night, the king and all the inhabitants of the palace were eaten by the ogress and her companions. The people, realising the sagacity and strength of will of the Bodhisatta, made him their king."
- ^ Appleton 2016, pp. 23, 82.
- ^ a b "Taxila – Once a Great Centre Of Buddhist Civilization | Tourism Department Punjab". tourism.punjab.gov.pk. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
- ^ a b c Allchin & Allchin 1988, p. 127.
- ^ a b Petrie, Cameron, (2013). "Taxila", in D. K. Chakrabarti and M. Lal (eds.), History of Ancient India III: The Texts, and Political History and Administration till c. 200 BC, Vivekananda International Foundation, Aryan Books International, Delhi, p. 654.
- ^ Allchin & Allchin 1988, p. 314: "The first city of Taxila at Hathial goes back at least to c. 1000 B.C."
- ^ Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Taxila". whc.unesco.org.
- ^ Scharfe 2002a, p. 141.
- ISBN 9971693720, citing Allchin: 1980
- ^ Petrie, Cameron, (2013). "Taxila", in D. K. Chakrabarti and M. Lal (eds.), History of Ancient India III: The Texts, and Political History and Administration till c. 200 BC, Vivekananda International Foundation, Aryan Books International, Delhi, p. 656.
- ^ "Darius the Great - 8. Travels - Livius". www.livius.org.
- ^ a b c Marshall 1951, p. 83.
- ISBN 9780875868592.
- ^ Marshall 1951, pp. 16–17, 30, 71.
- ^ Stephanus of Byzantium, Ethnica, § T602.8
- ^ Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander, § 5.8
- ^ Mookerji 1988, p. 31.
- ^ Mookerji 1988, pp. 22, 54.
- ^ Thapar 1997, p. 52.
- ^ Thapar 1997, p. 237.
- ^ Kulke & Rothermund 2004, p. 75.
- ^ Marshall 1951, p. 84.
- ^ Marshall 1951, p. 85.
- ^ Medlycott 1905, Chapter: The Apostle and Gondophares the Indian King.
- ^ Marshall 2013, pp. 28–30, 69, 88–89.
- ^ Kulke & Rothermund 2004, p. 80.
- ^ Kumar, Sanjeev (2017). Treasures of the Gupta Empire - A Catalogue of Coins of the Gupta Dynasty.
- ^ Ancient India by Ramesh Chandra Majumdar
- ^ a b Needham 2005, p. 135.
- ^ A Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms, Being an Account by the Chinese Monk Fa-Hsien of his Travels in India and Ceylon in Search of the Buddhist Books of Discipline, Chapter 11
- ^ Marshall 1951, p. 86.
- ^ Li Rongxi (1996), The Great Tang Dynasty Record of the Western Regions, Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai and Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, Berkeley, pp. 97–100
- ISBN 978-0-674-97527-9.
- ISBN 9781107615441.
- ^ Elizabeth Errington; Vesta Sarkhosh Curtis. Persepolis to the Punjab: Exploring Ancient Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. British Museum Press. p. 134.
- ^ The Panjab Past and Present - Volume 11 - Page 18
- ^ Pakistan Journal of History and Culture - Volumes 4-5 - Page 11
- ^ Kulke & Rothermund 2004, p. 157.
- ^ a b Mookerji 1989, pp. 478–479.
- ^ Altekar 1965, p. 109:
"It may be observed at the outset that Taxila did not possess any colleges or university in the modern sense of the term."
- Jātakastories about the students and teachers of Takshaśilā, but not a single episode even remotely suggests that the different 'world renowned' teachers living in that city belonged to a particular college or university of the modern type."
- ^ "Nalanda" (2007). Encarta.
- ^ "Nalanda" (2001). Columbia Encyclopedia.
- ^ a b Mookerji 1989, pp. 478–489.
- ^ Prakash 1964, p. [page needed]:
"Students from Magadha traversed the vast distances of northern India in order to join the schools and colleges of Taxila. We learn from Pali texts that Brahmana youths, Khattiya princes and sons of setthis from Rajagriha, Kashi, Kosala and other places went to Taxila for learning the Vedas and eighteen sciences and arts."
- ^ Apte, p. 9.
- ^ "Kautilya". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 10 January 2008.
- ^ Mookerji 1988, p. 17.
- ^ "A Note on Ancient History". Takshila Institute. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
- ^ Prakash 1964, p. [page needed]:
"Pāṇini and Kautilya, two masterminds of ancient times, were also brought up in the academic traditions of Taxila"
- ^ Gupta, Aryan. "Taxila and Mahayana Buddhism". School near Heart.
- ^ Prakash 1964, p. [page needed]:
"Likewise, Jivaka, the famous physician of Bimbisara who cured the Buddha, learnt the science of medicine under a far-famed teacher at Taxila and on his return was appointed court-physician at Magadha. Another illustrious product of Taxila was the enlightened ruler of Kosala, Prasenajit, who is intimately associated with the events of the time of the Buddha."
- ^ a b Apte, pp. 9–10.
- ^ Apte, pp. 16–17.
- ^ Apte, pp. 18–19.
- ^ Apte, p. 11.
- ^ Singh, Upinder 2008, p. 265.
- ^ Cunningham 1871, p. 105.
- required.)
- ^ "Taxila". UNESCO. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ "Taxila Map". whc.unesco.org. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
- ^ "Thailand to provide assistance for restoration of Ghandhara Archelogical [sic] sites". The Nation. 16 January 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ a b "Climate: Taxila – Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table". Climate-Data.org. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
- ^ "Tourism industry picking up as law and order situation improved". Aaj TV. 24 January 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ "PTDC to organize Buddhists' conference to promote tourism". Pakistan Today. 11 March 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ "Pakistan to organise Buddhism heritage exhibition in Thailand". Geo News. 13 March 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ "As China Pushes for a 'Buddhist' Globalisation, India Isn't Making the Most of Its Legacy". The Wire. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ "Double decker tourist buses to be run in twin cities: PTDC". Daily Times. 2 January 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
References
- JSTOR 42620473.
- ISBN 978-0521285506.
- Altekar, Anant Sadashiv (1965). Education in Ancient India (6th ed.). Nand Kishore.
- Appleton, Naomi (2016). Jataka Stories in Theravada Buddhism: Narrating the Bodhisatta Path. Routledge. ISBN 9781317111252.
- Apte, DG (c. 1950). Universities in ancient India. Baroda: Faculty of Education and Psychology, Maharaja Sayajirao University.[unreliable source?]
- ISBN 9781108056458.
- Davis, Richard H. (2014). The "Bhagavad Gita": A Biography. Princeton University Press. ISBN 9781400851973.
- Kosambi, Damodar Dharmanand (1975) [first published 1956]. An Introduction to the Study of Indian History (Revised Second ed.). Bombay: Popular Prakashan. p. 126.
- ISBN 978-0-415-32919-4.
- Lahiri, Nayanjot (2015). Ashoka in Ancient India. Harvard University Press. ISBN 9780674915251. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- ISBN 9788120618237.
- Marshall, John (1951). Taxila: Structural remains – Volume 1. University Press.
- ISBN 9781107615441.
- Medlycott, A.E. (1905). India and the Apostle Thomas. London: David Nutt.
- ISBN 978-81-208-0405-0.
- ISBN 978-81-208-0423-4.
- ISBN 978-0-415-36166-8.
- Prakash, Buddha (1964). Political And Social Movements in Ancient Punjab. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 9788120824584.
- Scharfe, Hartmut (2002a). Education in ancient India. Leiden [u.a.]: Brill. ISBN 9789004125568.
- Scharfe, Hartmut (2002b). Handbook of Oriental Studies. BRILL. ISBN 978-90-04-12556-8.
- ISBN 9788131711200.
- ISBN 978-0-19-563932-2.
- Trautmann, Thomas R. (1971). Kauṭilya and the Arthaśāstra: a statistical investigation of the authorship and evolution of the text. Brill.
External links
- Explore Taxila with Google Earth on Global Heritage Network
- Guide to Historic Taxila by Ahmad Hasan Dani in 10 chapters
- "Taxila", by Jona Lendering
- Map of Gandhara archaeological sites, from the Huntington Collection, Ohio State University (large file)
- Taxila: An Ancient Indian University by S. Srikanta Sastri
- John Marshall, A guide to Taxila (1918) on Archive.org
- Telapatta Jataka also known as the Takkasila Jataka