A Walk Through Taxila
The ancient remains in Pakistan represent a glimpse into the history of two of India’s major religions
![Reflections in Taxila Pakistan](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/z0jG4yJvDc3DLRSo7_KvOqByloc=/1000x750/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/Taxila-Reflections-in-Taxila-Pakistan-631.jpg)
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![Reflections in Taxila Pakistan](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/o1Zq5ayEoecz48ztHaq5FxuIJLY=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/Taxila-Reflections-in-Taxila-Pakistan-1.jpg)
Note: Reporting for this piece was funded by a grant from the South Asian Journalists Association
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![Remains of the Buddha](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/h1Z9paTYvsktYf1QAX2S4749k2Y=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/Taxila-remains-of-the-Buddha-2.jpg)
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![Jain Pillars in Sirkap](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/rBwDJzugb5Xo7dIQiU1QMlv5Ckw=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/Taxila-Jain-Pillars-in-Sirkup-3.jpg)
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![Monkeys supporting Jain Temple Pakistan](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/I769GbqMJkO-7RMuJVCDyeVUwv8=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/Taxila-monkeys-supporting-Jain-Temple-Pakistan-4.jpg)
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![Walking through Sirkap](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/QKK2NjZ-ypQUCR5nLd1Wiaq38eQ=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/Taxila-walking-through-Sirkap-6.jpg)
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![Protected Buddhist Pila](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/2oAg-5lFWQfH5exekJu0RJtOCFs=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/Taxila-protected-Buddhist-Pila-7.jpg)
Throughout the centuries, many of the artifacts of Taxila have been stolen by rogue traders, so most of the land’s most valuable findings are now housed in the Taxila museum. Because this particular stupa (a Buddhist place of worship) is protected, it is one of the best-preserved representations of the Buddha still on its original site on Taxila’s grounds.
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![Many sizes of Buddha](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/i5eEK5OYorsyLie-z000jUxq3zw=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/Taxila-many-sizes-of-Buddha-8.jpg)
While much of the architecture and statues in Taxila remain in their original spots, in recent years there has been a move to remove all or parts of the statues to protect them against the advances of time and hostilities in the region.