30/12/2024
The second fortified city of Taxila, "Sirkap," has long been the subject of archaeological and historical studies of art. Its name was derived from a character in a folk tale, "Raja Rasalu and the Seven Demons," who lived and ruled here. Sirkap includes the westernmost part of the Hethial Spur and is located about two kilometers from the Taxila Museum, along the banks of the Tamra River. Since 1980, it has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Excavations at Sirkap have been conducted only partially, covering about an eighth of the city. Mr. H. Hargreaves, under the guidance of Sir John Marshall, carried out excavations on these remains between 1912 and 1930. Further excavations were carried out by Sir Mortimer Wheeler in 1944-1945. As a result of these excavations, seven continuous sections of the remains have been identified, extending to a depth of 18 to 23 feet below the surface, representing several centuries of occupation.
After the abandonment of Bhira Mound, Sirkap became the central city of Taxila in the second century BCE. The ancient city was well-planned, fortified, and surrounded by a city wall that was approximately five kilometers or 6,000 yards long.
The central road running through Sirkap included architectural structures such as houses, shops for the citizens, and places of worship, such as the Round Temple, Sun Temple, Double-Headed Eagle Stupa, and the King's Palace.
Ashokan inscriptions and other relics, such as coins, jewelry, latrine trays, and domestic items discovered at Sirkap, all indicate cultural connections and exchanges with Western Asia and the Mediterranean regions. Sirkap is mentioned in many historical books, and the ancient city is described as "Sirkap, as large as Nineveh and as well-fortified as Greek cities."