Badalpur is a Buddhist stupa and monastery site on the edge of the Taxila valley, just inside Haripur district, near the village of Behra in the Haro River valley. It is one of the larger stupas in the Taxila region and gets far fewer visitors than Jaulian or Dharmarajika, so it suits people who already know Taxila and want something quieter. Come for the ruins and the setting, not for facilities.
This guide covers what the site is, what is known about its history, how to reach it from Taxila and Islamabad, and what we could not confirm.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Where | Near Behra village, Haripur district, at the edge of Taxila's boundary |
| Type | Large square stupa with an attached monastery |
| Nearby | About 2.5 km northwest of Jaulian; on the Taxila-Haripur side |
| Stupa size | About 24 m by 23 m (80 by 75 ft) at the base |
| Entry and hours | Not confirmed; check before going |
What is Badalpur?
Badalpur is a Gandhara-period Buddhist complex made up of a monumental stupa on the western side and a monastery on the eastern side. The square-based stupa measures about 24.4 by 23 metres, and its original height is speculated to have been more than 21 metres including the stacked umbrella finial. That puts it among the biggest stupas in the Taxila area.
The monastery had a courtyard surrounded by monks' cells, and the Pakistan Heritage listing counts 38 cells, along with votive stupas, chapel enclosures, a kitchen, store rooms and an assembly hall. A second, smaller monastery adjoins it. The masonry is limestone laid in the Gandhara style, with smaller stones packed between larger blocks. What you see today is the footings and lower walls rather than a finished building.
How old is it?
Sources give different dates, which is common for Gandhara sites. Based on its architecture, the complex has been placed between the 3rd and 5th centuries CE. Carbon dating done at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on material from a newly found stupa at the site pointed to a range between the 3rd century BCE and the 1st century CE, according to Dawn in 2015. The monastery shows Kushan-style construction, and the site is thought to have been occupied over several centuries.
The safe summary is that Badalpur is an old and long-used Buddhist centre, with some parts earlier than the large stupa that you see first.
Who excavated it?
- 1863 to 1864: Sir Alexander Cunningham was the first to record the site in his survey.
- 1916 to 1917: V. Natesa Aiyar of the Archaeological Survey of India carried out a salvage excavation. The finds included ten Kushan-period copper coins, 43 clay sealings and pottery.
- Later: The Taxila Institute of Asian Civilizations at Quaid-i-Azam University, directed by Professor Ashraf Khan, dug at the site over five seasons, reported by Dawn in 2015. Finds included a stucco Buddha bust, copper coins and iron objects.
Among the discoveries is a Buddha statue in red sandstone in the Mathura style, seated in meditation, which scholars have written about.
How do you get there?
From Taxila, the site is on the Taxila-Haripur side, off the Taxila-Haripur road, near Behra village. One source puts it about 10 km northeast of the Taxila Museum and 2.5 km northwest of Jaulian. These are approximate, and the access lane is not obvious, so use a map pin and ask locally.
A practical route is to combine it with Jaulian, which is better signposted:
- Start at the Taxila Museum if you want context first.
- Visit Jaulian, the hilltop monastery.
- Continue to Badalpur on the same side of the valley.
- If you still have time, carry on towards Khanpur and the Haro River.
Our guide to reaching Taxila covers getting to the valley from Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Opening hours and tickets
We could not verify current opening times or any entry fee from an official source, and the figures that appear online disagree. Archaeological sites in Pakistan often keep daylight hours and sometimes have a caretaker rather than a ticket desk. Go in the morning, carry cash, and be ready to find the gate closed on a given day.
What to expect on the ground
- Little shade. Bring a hat and water, especially from May to September.
- Uneven ground. Wear shoes with grip, and do not climb on the walls.
- Few facilities. Do not plan on a cafe or clean toilets.
- Quiet. That is the appeal, but go with other people.
Please do not remove stones or fragments and do not write on the masonry.
Is Badalpur worth a visit?
If you are visiting Taxila for the first time, see the museum, Dharmarajika and Jaulian first. Badalpur is a good addition for a second visit, for photographers and for anyone interested in Gandhara. It is not a place for a rushed half-hour stop with young children.
For wider context, read our guides to Buddhist sites in Pakistan and Gandhara sites in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the places to visit in Haripur, and our destinations page.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Badalpur stupa?
Near Behra village in Haripur district, at the edge of Taxila's boundary and roughly 2.5 km northwest of Jaulian.
Is Badalpur part of Taxila?
It lies in Haripur district but at the edge of the Taxila valley, and is generally treated as part of the Taxila group of Buddhist sites.
How old is Badalpur stupa?
Estimates range from the 3rd century BCE to the 5th century CE, depending on the part of the site and the method used.
How big is the stupa?
About 24.4 by 23 metres at the base, with a speculated original height of more than 21 metres.
Is there an entry fee?
We could not confirm one. Carry cash and check locally before you go.