Are they part of that once great Gandhara Civilization?
Ancient Taxila (
Sanskrit:
Takṣaśilā, meaning "City of Cut Stone" or "Rock of Taksha") was situated at the pivotal junction of
South Asia,
western Asia and
Central Asia. Some of the earliest ruins in this area date to the time of the
Achaemenid or Persian empire in 6th century BC.
Owing to its strategic location, Taxila has changed hands many times over the centuries, with many empires vying for its control. When the great ancient trade routes connecting these regions ceased to be important, the city sank into insignificance and was finally destroyed by the nomadic
Huns in the 5th century CE. Renowned archaeologist
Sir Alexander Cunningham rediscovered the ruins of Takṣaśilā in mid-19th century
Taxila has changed hands many times over the centuries from Iranian, to Indo Greek and as last Indian rule, with many empires vying for its control. It was said to be an
Indo-Iranian society encompassing different religions.[
who?] Historically, Takṣaśilā lay at the crossroads of three major ancient trade routes. In 516 BC, Darius embarked on a campaign to
Central Asia,
Aria and
Bactria and then marched into
Afghanistan to
Taxila Satrapy in modern
Pakistan. Darius spent the winter of 516-515 BC in
Gandhara, preparing to conquer the
Indus Valley. Darius conquered the Indus in 515 BC.
[17] Darius I controlled the
Indus Valley from
Gandhara to modern
Karachi and appointed the Greek
Scylax of Caryanda to explore the
Indian Ocean from the mouth of the
Indus to
Suez. Darius then marched through the
Bolan Pass and returned through
Arachosia and
Drangiana back to
Persia.