The Sher Shah Suri Era Monuments in Taxila (2021)

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The Sher Shah Suri Era Monuments in Taxila

(Sarai Kala, Mughal Era Mosque and portion of Original Grand Trunk Road)

 33°44'15.82"N,  72°48'4.22"E

As soon as one enters the historical city of Taxila, he comes across the remains of massive gates and a portion of a dilapidated wall of  Sarai (inn ) near the Taxila bus stand. The gate and a part of a wall are visible from the link road. The Sarai once covered a large area and used to fulfill the requirements of the troops and people who would travel from Kabul to Dehli and stay in this Sarai. The Sarai is now located within the earlier residential town of Taxila with the result that the enclosed area of the Sarai has been turned into automobile garages, business centers, shops, and houses. Though the exact size of the Sarai cannot be precisely determined, it may be inferred from the structural remains that it once extended as far as the present G.T. Road, a distance of more than 200 feet.

There is an old mosque which is located in the vicinity of Sarai as well, which is also supposed to be constructed in the early 17th century. 

There is also a 100-meter-plus part of the ancient road of Sher Shah Suri’s G.T. Road. This was one of the four roads built by the Afghan ruler during his reign between 1539 and 1545 A.D. 

Mohara Moradu Buddhist Monastery in Taxila, Punjab, Pakistan

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Text Source:- Wikipedia 

29-03-2018

View of Monastery 1917 after excavation taken from book guide to taxila by Sir john Marshall

INTRODUCTION

Mohra Muradu is the place of an ancient Buddhist stupa and monastery near the ruins of Taxila, in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The ancient monastery is located in a valley and offers a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains. The monks could meditate in all stillness at this place but were near enough to the city of Sirsukh to go for begging as it is only around 1.5 km away.

The city was built in the 2nd century CE and renovated in the 5th century. Thus it belongs to the Kushan age.

The ruins consist of three distinct parts, which include the main stupa, a votive stupa and the monastery and have been included in the world heritage list of the UNESCO since 1980 under Taxila.

EXCAVATION

The ruins of Mohra Muradu were excavated under the supervision of Sir John Marshall by Abdul Qadir in 1914-1915. They consist of a buddhist monastery and two stupas. The main stupa is built on a foundation more than 4.75 meters high. The smaller, votive, stupa lies behind the bigger one.

MONASTERY

The monastery consists of 27 rooms for the students and the teachers built around a courtyard with a pool. The large, square shaped pool contained water for ritual washings and was about half a metre deep. Stairs to the pool were present on all sides. The monastery also contained a kitchen and a well for water that still functions today. The rain water was collected into the pool from the roof of the monastery over wooden extensions. Statues of Buddha are found abundantly in the courtyard and the rooms for the students. An assembly hall is also present in one corner of the monastery.

The monastery was a double story building. Stairs to the upper story went through one of the rooms. There was additional connection through wooden constructions from the courtyard. The strength of the walls has, however, led to the idea that there might have existed even a third story.

Monk Cells, In front remains of pool

Monks Cells,  Buddha replica statuses and remains of pool

Niche where groups of   figures shifted to Taxila Museum

Mohara Moradu suppose to be a Vihara, you can remain of stairs to reach First floor

Another Views of Stair

Another View of Monk Cells

Monk Cell

Stupa 1

Stupa 2

Foundation of Circular Votive Stupa

The Monumental Votive Stupa 

The monument is found in one of the rooms of the monastery. It was probably dedicated to the memory of one of the teachers who used to live in the room where it is located. The umbrellas were once colored. The monument is about 4 meters high.

Replica of Votive Stupa placed in cell,original stupa shifted to Taxila Museum

1917 Picture of Votive Stupa by Sir John Marshall

                                                          BUDDHA & BODHISATTVA STATUES 

Statues Relics before Shifting to Taxila Mueseum

statue of Bodhisattva found at  current site present now at taxila museum

Replica of Statues , original shifted to taxila museum

Replica of Statues , original shifted to taxila museum

Replica of Statues , original shifted to taxila museum

Explanation of Site  Taken from the book  Sir John Marshall Book Guide to Taxila

OTHER FEATURES

The assembly hall of the monastery. The bases of the supporting columns are visible.

well