Dharmarajika is the oldest and largest Buddhist site at Taxila, built around a great stupa said to hold relics of the Buddha and expanded over nearly a thousand years into a sprawling complex of smaller stupas and monastic buildings. It lies about 3 km from the Taxila Museum on a quieter road than Sirkap or Jaulian, and it rewards a slower visit than its size suggests, since much of what matters here is in the layers of rebuilding rather than a single dramatic structure.
This guide covers the site's history, the relic discoveries that made it significant, what remains to see, and how to reach it.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Location | About 3 km from Taxila Museum, on the Tamra stream |
| Founded | 3rd century BCE, under Emperor Ashoka |
| Local name | Also known as Chir Tope |
| Active period | 3rd century BCE to 7th century CE |
| Time to allow | 45 minutes to an hour |
The Ashoka-era relic mound
Dharmarajika's origins go back to the 3rd century BCE, when the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, a major patron of Buddhism after his conversion, is said to have distributed relics of the Buddha to Buddhist communities across his empire. Taxila received a share, and the great stupa here was built to house them, giving the site its name: dharmarajika, from Dharmaraja, "the king of the true law," a title used for the Buddha.
The main stupa suffered severe damage in an earthquake around 40 CE and was rebuilt twice more during the Kushan period, as the surrounding monastic complex kept growing. Taken as a whole, Dharmarajika's history runs from the 3rd century BCE through to the 7th century CE, making it the longest continuously used Buddhist site in the Taxila valley and the anchor of the wider archaeological landscape that earned Taxila its UNESCO World Heritage listing in 1980.
The relic discovery
Excavation of Dharmarajika in the early 20th century turned up one of the most significant finds from any Gandharan site: a reliquary in a side chapel containing a silver scroll recording the enshrinement of relics of the Buddha at this stupa. A separate casket of relics, found here in 1917, was presented by the then Viceroy of British India to the Buddhist community of what is now Sri Lanka, and it remains enshrined today in the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, one of the most visited Buddhist shrines in the world. It is a reminder that what looks like a quiet mound of rubble in a Punjab field was, in its time, significant enough to shape Buddhist practice thousands of kilometres away.
What to see on site
Dharmarajika is larger and more spread out than Jaulian or Mohra Moradu, and less immediately photogenic: expect a broad, low complex of stupa bases, monastic cell foundations and votive structures rather than a single standing monument. Walk the perimeter of the main stupa first to get a sense of its scale, then look for the smaller votive stupas clustered around it, remnants of centuries of pilgrims adding their own modest monuments to the site. The monastery quarters, though less complete than at Mohra Moradu, show the same courtyard layout typical of Gandharan Buddhist architecture.
Because so much of the story here is in the archaeology rather than the standing remains, it helps to see the Taxila Museum first or bring some background reading; without it, the site can read as an open field of low walls.
Getting there
Dharmarajika is reached by a side road off the main Taxila route, about 3 km from the museum. It is the closest of the outlying sites to the museum and a reasonable stop on foot for a fit visitor with time to spare, though most people drive or take a rickshaw given the heat for much of the year. As with the other Taxila sites, there is a separate entry ticket at the gate, and fees have varied over the years, so carry cash and expect to pay whatever is posted on the day rather than a figure quoted in an older guide.
Fitting it into a Taxila day
Dharmarajika works well as either the first or last stop on a Taxila day, since it sits slightly apart from the cluster of Sirkap, Jaulian and Mohra Moradu. Our places to visit in Taxila guide lays out a full-day route that includes all of these, and our trip planning page can help if you want to combine Taxila with Hasan Abdal or a longer Islamabad itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Dharmarajika stupa?
The oldest and largest Buddhist stupa at Taxila, built in the 3rd century BCE under Emperor Ashoka to house relics of the Buddha, and rebuilt over centuries into a large monastic complex.
What relics were found at Dharmarajika?
A reliquary containing a silver scroll recording the enshrinement of Buddha relics, and a separate relic casket found in 1917 that was later presented to Sri Lanka's Buddhist community and now rests in the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy.
How far is Dharmarajika from Taxila Museum?
About 3 km, making it the closest of the outlying Taxila sites to the museum.
How long should I spend at Dharmarajika?
Around 45 minutes to an hour, more if you want to study the layout of the monastery quarters and votive stupas in detail.
Is Dharmarajika worth visiting if I've already seen Jaulian?
Yes, for different reasons. Jaulian has better-preserved stucco carving, while Dharmarajika is the oldest and historically most significant site in the valley, with the longest continuous history of use.
