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Taxila: Mohra Moradu
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Map of Taxila
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Taxila (Old Indian Takshaçila):
the ancient capital of the eastern Punjab, the country between the
rivers Indus
and Hydaspes.
The site consists of several parts, which belong to three periods:
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Mohra Moradu is a Buddhist complex, consisting of two parts: in the
west, a stupa (venerated tomb), and in the east, a monastery. The latter
is situated between two hill spurs. The monks could meditate and study
in all quietness, a kilometer-and-a-half away from the noise of the city
at Taxila-Sirsukh;
yet, they were close enough to the town to beg for alms. |
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The monastery was built in the second century and extensively renovated
in the fifth century. Monasteries in Gandara
and the Punjab usually had 27 cells, which surrounded a rectangular central
court with a bathroom (jantâghara), an assembly hall, a well,
a store-room, a kitchen (agni-sâlâ), a refectory (upâhâra-sâlâ),
and a latrine (varchah-kutî). This picture shows the courtyard
and several cells. The monastery of Jaulian
looked more or less the same.
(One of the trees in the background is a wild olive.)
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The assembly hall (upasthâna-sâlâ). Originally,
the walls must have been plastered and painted. The roof was supported
by four columns. |
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A detail of the brickwork. The walls were very solid, which suggests
that there was not just a second storey, but a third one as well. |
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Archaeologists identified this structure with the store-room (koshthaka),
but can not explain why the walls are so incredibly heavy. Maybe there
was a tower on top of it? |
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A small shrine in one of the cells, in which we can see -in high relief-
Buddha and attendants. The walls of the cells were probably plastered but
there are no indications for other decorations. |
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Other sacred figures of the Buddha. |
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This is the upper part of a 4 meters high monument, dedicated to a
venerated teacher of monk. This remarkable votive stupa was placed in his
cell. It is made of a soft local limestone that is called kañjur.
These umbrellas were once painted; traces of yellow, crimson and blue are
still visible. |
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The lower part of the same monument The lower tier consists of elephants
alternating with atlantes; two upper tiers consist of the Buddhas and pilasters. |
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A detail. |
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The stupa near the Mohra Moradu monastery. The lower part of this lofty
monument is about five meters high and decorated with plaster, pilasters,
and stucco figures of Buddhas and demons. Parts of the decoration have
survived. |
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Part of the stucco decoration. Much has been removed and is now on
display in the museum of Taxila. |
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A detail of the picture above. The way the cloak is represented and
the typical asymmetrical pose look almost Greek or Roman, but this sculpture
was made well after the direct political contacts between the Mediterranean
and Punjab had ceased to be important. Still, trade continued. |
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A Gandaran coin showing Buddha. The legend reads, in Greek letters, Βοδδο ("Boddo") (drawing Bente Kiilerich [(©*]).
Like Sirsukh, Jaulian,
and the other Buddhist complexes at Taxila, Mohra Moradu was left when
the White Huns invaded the Punjab.
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©
Jona Lendering for
Livius.Org,
2004
Revision: 28 May 2008 |
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