| DHARMARAJIKA |
| Dharmarajika has been inscribed in 1980 upon the World Heritage List of the Convention concerning the Protection of the World cultural and natural Heritage. Inscription on the List confirms the exceptional universal value of the cultural site, which deserves protection for the benefit of all humanity. Dharmarajika, the earliest and largest Buddhist religious complex at Taxila, stands on the bank of Dharma rivulet. It was built to enshrine the redistributed holy relics of the Buddha by the famous Mauryan king Asoka the Great who was also known as �Dharmaraja� for this services to Buddhism. Thus, name �DHARMARAJIKA�. Mr. Ghulam Qadir excavated Dharmarajika in 1912-16 under the directions of Sir John Marshall and Mr. A. D. Siddiqui in 1934-16. The circular Stupa has a diameter of 131 feet and 45 feet high drum, constructed in solid stone masonry. Ambulatory passage, paved with stone slabs, runs around the Stupa. The Stupa suffered a great deal from a devastating earthquake of 40 A.D. and re-built twice under Kushana rulers. Stone sculptures, depicting Buddha and other scenes of his life, adorned the Great Stupa. The courtyard around the Stupa is full with a series of later circular votive Stupas, rectangular or square Chapels and Chambers dating from 1st century B.C. to 1st century A.D. and 3rd to 5th century A.D. respectively. The votive Stupas yielded relic caskets of gold, ivory, stone and some coins of Maues and Azes 1. The Chapets, decorated with human and animal stucco figures, yielded clay seals inscribed with Buddhist creed. From chapel G-5, a silver scroll, inscribed in Kharoshthi, confirms the name of the Stupa as Dharmarajika. The rectangular Chambers intended to house colossal images of the Buddha and Bodhisttvas in stucco and clay. The monastic area is located in the north and north west of the Stupa area. It provides ample evidence of evolution and development of monastic plan and design into a typical Gandhara monastic complex. Towards the end of 5th century, Kidara Kushanas lost their empire to the White Huns. This not only disrupted most of trade and trade routs but also diminished the economic prosperity and left such a huge place like Dharmarajika without any royal patronage. Perhaps it was due to economic strains that the custodians of Dharmarajika were unable to maintain it with meager donations and ultimately abandoned it and left it to decay like many other Buddhist Sangharamas at Taxila and elsewhere in Gandhara. The Dharmarajika Stupa and its attached monastery for their historic and architectural importance have been declared �protected antiquity� under the Antiquities Act-1975. And who so ever will destroy, break, damage, alter, injure, deface or mutilate or scribble, write or engage any inscription or sign on any antiquity shall be punishable under Section-19 of the said Act with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine of Rupees 200,000/- or with both. |