Taxila was once the seat of Oriental culture. It was invaded by Alexander the Great and passed along to other rulers until finally reaching the hands of Ashoka the Great, who moulded the city into a center of learning. The creative Gandhara period followed shortly there after and Taxila remained the center of learning. It came to a disastrous and pathetic end when sacked by the White Huns. Today, Taxila is an archaeologist paradise, there is a well-maintained museum here and eight sites scattered around a very short radius. Amongst the best preserved are Sirkap, Julain (the University) and Mohra Moradu. The excavation at Taxila were carried out between the years 1913 and 1934 by Sir John Marshall. The early excavations done in the pre-Independence days had revealed the remains of the three ancient cities of Taxila locally known as Bhir Mound, Sirkap and Sirsukh and over two dozens of Buddhist Stupas & monasteries of the early historic period.

We will be visiting Taxila Museum, Jaulian, the monastery, Sirkap, second city of Taxila and Dharma Rajeka.

Archaeological Museum at Taxila is one of the finest Museums of the country. The museum reflects the cultural history and varied achievements of the people of Taxila during the last four thousand years.

The monuments in the Jaulian are more highly ornamented and in a still better station of preservation. The original foundation of these buildings is to be ascribed to the Kushan period.

Sirkap, the second fortified city of Taxila, was surrounded by a city wall with a total length of some five kilometers, built of stone & mud. The excavations of Sirkap was carried out only in the part covering about one-eight of the city. Buddhist architectural remains, such as stupa remains & a royal palace were found during the excavations. found

The Darma Rajeka is the nearest to the Bhir mound and Sirkap. The whole complex at the Dharma Rajika falls into two parts, the first part which shows a medley of constructions of several types and periods, may be called the stupa area and the second part which is located to its north, may be called the monastic area as it was in this area that the main monasteries were built in different period.

After lunch drive to Peshawar. Arrive Peshawar and transfer to hotel.