| JANDIAL TEMPLE |
| The Jandial Temple 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 a cultural site, which deserves protection for the benefit of all humanity. Jandial represents a unique example of a magnificent ancient Greek Temple of its own kind in Pakistan. It is built on a 45 feet high artificial mound, facing Sirkap-the second city of Taxila, founded by the Greeks in 2nd century B.C. Mr. Ghulam Qadir excavated this temple in 1912-13 under the direction of Sir John Marshall. It measures 158 feet by 85 feet and has all the characteristics of a Greek Temple like Distyle in Antis (Porch), Pronaos (Entrance Hall), Naos (Sanctuary) and Opisthodomos (Back Chamber of Posticum of Romans). All around the Temple is a passage of uniform size with windows at regular interval for air and light. The back chamber is entered through the backdoor, flanked by semi-circular columns. A flight of steps from the backside on the west leads up to the solid mass, which only differs from the Greek chamber. The front porch, rested on four lonic columns and two pilasters of dark brown and stone. The famous traveler Apollonius of Tyana, who came to the royal court of Parthian king Gondophares of Sirkap (Taxila) in 44 A.D., stayed in this Temple before meeting the King. He mentions that �just out side the city walls was a temple of near a hundred feet, of porphyry, and in it a shrine, small considering the size of the temple and its many columns but still very beautiful. Around the shrine, hung the pictures on copper tablets, representing the feats of Alexander and Porus. The elephants, horses, soldiers and armors were portrayed in a mosaic of silver, gold, and oxidized copper. They also told of the noble character of Porus, for it was not until after the death of Alexander that he placed them in the temple. Though they represented Alexander as a conqueror and himself as conquered and wounded and receiving from Alexander the kingdom of India�. Based on the numismatic evidence found here, the Jandial Temple seems to have survived until ht time Taxila be became a vessel of Kashmir during 6th � 7th century. Subsequent periods witnessed its abandonment and gradual decay. The Jandial Temple for its historic and architectural importance has 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. |