Ancient University: Taxila, Pakistan

Taxila or Takshashila, in ancient India (modern-day Pakistan), was an early Hindu and Buddhist centre of learning. According to scattered references that were only fixed a millennium later, it may have dated back to at least the fifth century BC. Some scholars date Takshashila's existence back to the sixth century BC. The school consisted of several monasteries without large dormitories or lecture halls where the religious instruction was most likely still provided on an individualistic basis. Takshashila is described in some detail in later Jātaka tales, written in Sri Lanka around the fifth century AD. It became a noted centre of learning at least several centuries BC, and continued to attract students until the destruction of the city in the fifth century AD.

Takshashila is perhaps best known because of its association with Chanakya. The famous treatise Arthashastra (Sanskritfor The knowledge of Economics) by Chanakya, is said to have been composed in Takshashila itself. Chanakya (or Kautilya), the Maurya Emperor Chandragupta and the Ayurvedic healer Charaka studied at Taxila. Generally, a student entered Takshashila at the age of sixteen. The Vedas and the Eighteen Arts, which included skills such as archery, hunting, and elephant lore, were taught, in addition to its law school, medical school, and school of military science.

View of the Dharmarajika, an ancient stupa

Votive Stupa at Takshashila showing the Budhhist influence

Stupa base at Sirkap, decorated with Hindu, Buddhist and Greek temple fronts.

   

Picture Source: Collected from Internet